The Buffalo Bills had a mission on SNF. The mission was to break their three Divisional Round losing streak. And they succeeded. Josh Allen led his side to victory against the Ravens. But in the due course, they had a setback that could affect their journey to the Super Bowl. It left Bills’ fans holding their breath.

It was safety Taylor Rapp who got sidelined. The moment unfolded halfway through the second quarter on January 19. Rapp collided with teammate Damar Hamlin while attempting a tackle. The hit left him limping into the blue medical tent before being carted to the locker room. CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson shared his update on the situation. “We saw Bills safety Taylor Rapp be carted off into the locker room,” Wolfson said. “He was in significant pain. He suffered a hip injury on that fumble and he’s going in for X-Rays.” Shortly after, Buffalo Bills PR confirmed the worst.

“Rapp (hip) has been downgraded to OUT,” they wrote on X. Earlier in the game, Rapp had delivered a highlight-worthy play. He intercepted Lamar Jackson and halted a promising Ravens drive. Rapp had been a crucial part of the defense all season. His departure left a noticeable gap in the secondary. And it forced rookie Cole Bishop to step into the spotlight.

Taylor Rapp’s injury woes aren’t new. He also suffered a concussion while tackling Derrick Henry in the Bills’ first matchup against the Ravens. This was back in September 2024. The injury forced Rapp to miss one game. And now Rapp’s absence has become another critical storyline. Moreover, with the Ravens boasting offensive weapons like Rashod Bateman and Henry.

The injury comes during a season where Rapp was a defensive cornerstone. In his second year with Buffalo, he racked up 82 tackles. To make things better, he also had six passes defended and a fumble recovery. The Bills were up 21-10 at halftime. And they needed their defense to maintain momentum against a determined Baltimore offense. Would they rally, or would Rapp’s absence tilt the scales?

Bills dominate amid Rapp’s injury

Buffalo’s first half was an impressive show of force. Josh Allen accounted for three touchdowns, with two rushing scores. This sure showcased his versatility. The Bills’ defense forced two Lamar Jackson turnovers. This included Rapp’s early interception. However, Baltimore still found ways to keep it close. Rashod Bateman’s 16-yard touchdown complemented their effort.

The Ravens leaned heavily on Henry. But Buffalo contained him to just 21 yards on eight carries in the first half. With a slim lead, the Bills knew the second half would demand even more defensive grit. Rapp’s injury added pressure to Bishop and veteran Damar Hamlin. Could they hold off Jackson and the Ravens’ firepower without their star safety?

The timing of Rapp’s injury was eerily reminiscent of his Week 4 concussion against the Ravens. In that game, Rapp also exited early. But Buffalo managed to scrape a win. This time, the stakes were higher. A win here would send the Bills to the AFC Championship against the Chiefs.

Rapp’s absence is testing Buffalo’s depth and resilience. As the second half unfolded, fans held their breath. They hoped the team could weather the storm without their defensive playmaker. And Buffalo did. They move ahead in their Super Bowl with a narrow 27-25 win.