Joe Flacco threw five interceptions as the Baltimore Ravens came up short against the Buffalo Bills, 23-20, on Sunday afternoon.
Ravens vs. Bills 2013 final score: Joe Flacco tosses 5 picks in 23-20 loss
Baltimore nearly won despite its turnover issues before one final interception clinched the loss.
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Trailing by three points and driving downfield late in the fourth quarter, Flacco threw his fifth interception to ice the game. A pass intended for tight end Dallas Clark was tipped into the air and landed in the hands of rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Flacco finished with 347 passing yards and two touchdowns, but couldn't keep the ball out of the hands of an injury-riddled Bills secondary. Missing cornerback Leodis McKelvin and safety Jairus Byrd, the unit held Flacco to a 46.4 passer rating.
The Ravens' running game didn't provide much support with just 24 yards on the ground. The Ravens never really gave halfback Ray Rice a chance, handing him the ball just five times. He finished with only 17 yards.
The Bills, meanwhile, dominated on the ground, piling up 207 yards. Fred Jackson had his highest total of the year, going for 87 yards and a touchdown before limping off the field in the second half. C.J. Spiller was also somewhat effective, running for 77 yards on 23 carries.
Fantasy studs and duds
With C.J. Spiller gimped up with an ankle injury, Fred Jackson had his first big game of 2013, rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Wide receiver Robert Woods was E.J. Manuel's favorite target, hauling in four receptions for 80 yards and a score. It was Manuel's only touchdown pass of the day, and he finished with just 167 yards and two picks.
The Ravens were paced on offense by receiver Torrey Smith, who exploded for 166 yards and a touchdown. The running back duo of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce saw little action, splitting nine carries for a combined 24 yards.
Did they cover?
The Ravens opened as three-point favorites, but couldn’t get the win, much less cover the spread.
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