In their first playoff game since I was in high school and before the existence of this blog, the Buffalo Bills came up just short in a valiant 10-3 loss. Neither Jacksonville nor Buffalo could mount much offense. The Bills scored first, notching a field goal after they had it first and goal from the one. Jacksonville managed to tie the game just before the half.
The best offense for either team was the Jaguars' Blake Bortles scrambling. Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor never threw the ball down the field. He is not a risk-taker. The all-time leader in fewest interception percentage per pass, Taylor usually opts to throw short. His interception today was a fluke; a ball tipped up into the air a few times.He is a good runner and very adept at avoiding sacks. Hes willing to throw the ball away rather than take a sack or force a pass into traffic.
Taylor's steady hand is appreciated, but without the potential of a big play, Jacksonville's defense could contain Taylor's short passes. Too often,. the Bills lost yardage. Losing yards is part of the price if risk is involved, but the Bills had far too many plays in which they lost yardage for such a conservative approach.
Taylor's injury on 4th and 3 with just over a minute to go was heartbreaking. Nathan Peterman came in and picked up the first down, but soon threw an "interception" to Jalen Ramsey, who first committed an uncalled pass interference, and then trapped the ball against the ground. Instant replay has not been kind to the Bills in their last two playoff games.
Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander came up big. He was impressive.
Hopefully, the Bills don't make wholesale changes. Taylor needs better pass-catching options, but Buffalo is on the right track.
Showing posts with label Bills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bills. Show all posts
Sunday, January 07, 2018
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Bills are 2-2
The Bills beat the defending champion Baltimore Ravens today. E.J. Manuel has shown a lot of promise in his four games in the NFL.
Manuel is a very accurate passer with a good arm. One issue he has is a mild case of Rob Johnson's disease. For those who don;t know, that means Manuel holds the ball too long and gets sacked too often. He also needs to learn to vary the speed on his passed. Twice in recent weeks, he gunned a fastball at a receiver who was too close to him. One resulted in an interception.
But Manuel does his best to take care of the ball and isn't too antsy to flee the pocket when a receiver isn't open right away. He doesn't try to force things either. So far, I like Manuel's progression. It helps that he has a good, albeit injured, defense and a strong running game.
Manuel is a very accurate passer with a good arm. One issue he has is a mild case of Rob Johnson's disease. For those who don;t know, that means Manuel holds the ball too long and gets sacked too often. He also needs to learn to vary the speed on his passed. Twice in recent weeks, he gunned a fastball at a receiver who was too close to him. One resulted in an interception.
But Manuel does his best to take care of the ball and isn't too antsy to flee the pocket when a receiver isn't open right away. He doesn't try to force things either. So far, I like Manuel's progression. It helps that he has a good, albeit injured, defense and a strong running game.
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Bills are 1-1
After a blowout lost in week 1 to the Jets, the Bills bounced back in week 2, destroying the Chiefs. The biggest pleasant surprise has been C.J. Spiller who has been outstanding since Fred Jackson went down with injury. The defense really struggled in week 1, but played much better yesterday. The Chiefs scored 17 points, but 14 of those were late, when the outcome of the contest was no longer in doubt.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
The 2011 Bills
The Bills started the season 3-0 and were 5-2 at one point. At least it meant they would finish at least 5-11, right? Ugh. They finished 6-10.
Ryan Fitzpatrick played out of this world at the start of the season. But two things happened. Defenses finally caught up to the offenses and the quarterback signed a huge deal. He promptly played terrible. Fred Jackson, who finally got a shot to be the every down back, played great until he injured himself for the season int he middle of the year.
The Bills defense was never really that good and the special teams took a hit when the kicker, Rian Lindell (who has been on my fantasy team for 9 straight seasons) was also injured for the year.
Superstar Stevie Johnson had a great year. But he has the personality of a free spirit, which for some reason is really frowned upon in the NFL. The league expects military-like discipline. It's pretty sickening really. Johnson is being railroaded just as Ocho Cinco and T-O have been. These guy haven't done anything wrong off the field. They're just characters and enjoy having fun when they perform well on the field. It is a game after all. It should be fun.
The Bills lost 7 in a row in the middle of the season with Chan Gailey at the helm. Gailey looked like an offense genius early on, but the team has actually regressed since Dick Jauron was fired. Dick Jauron put up insanely good years with the lack of talent he had on the team. He shouldn't have been fired.
Ryan Fitzpatrick played out of this world at the start of the season. But two things happened. Defenses finally caught up to the offenses and the quarterback signed a huge deal. He promptly played terrible. Fred Jackson, who finally got a shot to be the every down back, played great until he injured himself for the season int he middle of the year.
The Bills defense was never really that good and the special teams took a hit when the kicker, Rian Lindell (who has been on my fantasy team for 9 straight seasons) was also injured for the year.
Superstar Stevie Johnson had a great year. But he has the personality of a free spirit, which for some reason is really frowned upon in the NFL. The league expects military-like discipline. It's pretty sickening really. Johnson is being railroaded just as Ocho Cinco and T-O have been. These guy haven't done anything wrong off the field. They're just characters and enjoy having fun when they perform well on the field. It is a game after all. It should be fun.
The Bills lost 7 in a row in the middle of the season with Chan Gailey at the helm. Gailey looked like an offense genius early on, but the team has actually regressed since Dick Jauron was fired. Dick Jauron put up insanely good years with the lack of talent he had on the team. He shouldn't have been fired.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
The Bills are Struggling
After a positive start, the Bills are struggling. I saw the writing on the wall as the Bills began to turn the ball over and the defense hasn't been proficient. The defense's string of creating turnovers has run out.
One can point to Ryan Fitzpatrick signing a monster deal earlier in the year as the Bills undoing. It might be as Fitzpatrick has seemed to have lost his edge. Losing Fred Jackson for the year has been a killer.
On the bright side, Superstar Stevie Johnson dominated Darrelle Revis last week. I loved his mocking of Plaxico Burress's stupidity and the crashing jet. I just wish the Bills had won the game.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
The Bills are 5-3
The Bills took it on the chin against the Jets today. I said that if they played a real team last week, they would have lost. They played the same way this week- turnovers, not converting touchdowns in the red zone- and lost to a real team.
The worst part was the game was played in Buffalo. The Bills have to travel to New Jersey to face the Jets one more time this season. A late Bills touchdown made it a 27-11 game.
Ont he one hand, the Bills have one more win in half of this season than they did all of last season. That's great! But on the other hand, the Bills are 2-3 in their last 5 and stuck in a pack of playoff -experienced teams. The Jets, Patriots, Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers (if we only include the AFC East and North) have at least as good a record as the Bills. The Bills' passing game as stalled a bit and the defense still gives up a ton of yards.
Still, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic. The Bills played much better in the second half of last season and there's no reason to believe they won't do the same this season.
The worst part was the game was played in Buffalo. The Bills have to travel to New Jersey to face the Jets one more time this season. A late Bills touchdown made it a 27-11 game.
Ont he one hand, the Bills have one more win in half of this season than they did all of last season. That's great! But on the other hand, the Bills are 2-3 in their last 5 and stuck in a pack of playoff -experienced teams. The Jets, Patriots, Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers (if we only include the AFC East and North) have at least as good a record as the Bills. The Bills' passing game as stalled a bit and the defense still gives up a ton of yards.
Still, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic. The Bills played much better in the second half of last season and there's no reason to believe they won't do the same this season.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
The Bills are 5-2
The Bills won 23-0 over the Racistskins today. The game was played in Toronto for no good reason. The Bills actually struggled, committing uncharacteristic turnovers and failing to score TDs when in the redzone far too often.
The Skins are just a terrible team and the Bills have enough firepower to overcome the poor performance. Fred Jackson was Mr. Everything. He ran on the ground effectively and also enhanced the passing game as a receiver. But the Bills have a bad habit of stalling in the second half when they have a big halftime lead. They become conservative on both sides of the ball. The Skins just didn't have anything in order to take advantage.
The Skins are just a terrible team and the Bills have enough firepower to overcome the poor performance. Fred Jackson was Mr. Everything. He ran on the ground effectively and also enhanced the passing game as a receiver. But the Bills have a bad habit of stalling in the second half when they have a big halftime lead. They become conservative on both sides of the ball. The Skins just didn't have anything in order to take advantage.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Bills are 4-2
The Bills suffered their second loss of the season today. Both losses have been by three points with time running down in the game. Fred Jackson had a great game, by Fitzpatrick had his first subpar performance of the season.
The real problem again has been the defense's inability to come up with the big stop. Frankly, even in the Bills wins, it's been a late TD or FG that has been the difference most of the time. The defense has been able to force turnovers, which is generally more important than the number of yards given up. But the failure to stop opposing offenses in the fourth is a major problem, whcih likely speaks to a lack of depth. The Bills have a bye next week.
The real problem again has been the defense's inability to come up with the big stop. Frankly, even in the Bills wins, it's been a late TD or FG that has been the difference most of the time. The defense has been able to force turnovers, which is generally more important than the number of yards given up. But the failure to stop opposing offenses in the fourth is a major problem, whcih likely speaks to a lack of depth. The Bills have a bye next week.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
The Bills are 4-1
The main problem the Philadelphia Eagles had today was that they tried to circle the wagon. And we all know that no one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills!
The Bills offense is impressive. One weakness is that the offense goes into a shell in the fourth quarter when the team once had a big lead in the game. That wasn't the case against Kansas City in week 1, but it has been the past two weeks.
The defense gives up a lot of yards. It's not a bend-but-don't-break defense because it gives up a lot of points too. But it creates a lot of turnovers which makes up for other deficiencies, particularly with such a potent offense.
The 2011 Bills remind me of the Super Bowl Bills to some degree. Those teams also gave up a lot of yards yet created turnovers. This year features a semi-hurry up offense and is pass-first, utilizing the RB in the air. But both teams could run well when needed. Both teams were solid on special teams.
One difference is the privileged draft position the early '90s crew came from. This year's version includes castoffs and passed-ons. We'll see if this year's team can reach a similar amount of success as the glory teams of the past.
The Bills offense is impressive. One weakness is that the offense goes into a shell in the fourth quarter when the team once had a big lead in the game. That wasn't the case against Kansas City in week 1, but it has been the past two weeks.
The defense gives up a lot of yards. It's not a bend-but-don't-break defense because it gives up a lot of points too. But it creates a lot of turnovers which makes up for other deficiencies, particularly with such a potent offense.
The 2011 Bills remind me of the Super Bowl Bills to some degree. Those teams also gave up a lot of yards yet created turnovers. This year features a semi-hurry up offense and is pass-first, utilizing the RB in the air. But both teams could run well when needed. Both teams were solid on special teams.
One difference is the privileged draft position the early '90s crew came from. This year's version includes castoffs and passed-ons. We'll see if this year's team can reach a similar amount of success as the glory teams of the past.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
The Bills are 3-1
This was a tough loss to swallow. The Bills were up 17-3 over the Bengals at halftime. The Bills had finished the deal against KC in week 1 and, of course, had two thrilling second half comebacks the last two weeks.
But credit needs to be given to the Bengals, who paid us back for the Bills comeback last season. They have a really good defense that held the Bills offense in check for the first time all season. The Bengals have a good running game and Dalton- though inexperienced- is surely no bum. The Bengals have finally transformed into a Marvin Lewis specialty after all those years of being pass-happy with Palmer and Ocho.
With the game tied at 20, Dalton scrambled and game up short of the line to gain, making it fourth down. It did appear that the refs spotted the ball a little short of where Dalton had stretched the ball. But, upon review, the refs moved the ball way too far, over the yard mark, whereas the ball didn't reach the yard mark before his butt hit out of bounds. The Begals were awarded the first down and went on to kick the winning field goal.
It's hard to win on the road in the NFL and the Bengals are not a bad team. Still, when a good team is up by two TDs at the half, you'd like to come away with that win.
But credit needs to be given to the Bengals, who paid us back for the Bills comeback last season. They have a really good defense that held the Bills offense in check for the first time all season. The Bengals have a good running game and Dalton- though inexperienced- is surely no bum. The Bengals have finally transformed into a Marvin Lewis specialty after all those years of being pass-happy with Palmer and Ocho.
With the game tied at 20, Dalton scrambled and game up short of the line to gain, making it fourth down. It did appear that the refs spotted the ball a little short of where Dalton had stretched the ball. But, upon review, the refs moved the ball way too far, over the yard mark, whereas the ball didn't reach the yard mark before his butt hit out of bounds. The Begals were awarded the first down and went on to kick the winning field goal.
It's hard to win on the road in the NFL and the Bengals are not a bad team. Still, when a good team is up by two TDs at the half, you'd like to come away with that win.
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Bills are 3-0
Many doubted the Bills. Even with an undefeated record and playing at home, the odds makers made the Bills a decided underdog. But the odds makers don't know football. They look at the draft position of the Bills stars. They focus on "potential."
Down 21-0 in the first half, it looked like the naysayers were right. Sure, the Bills had come back from down 21-3 to the Raiders, but this was the Patriots. The Bills hadn't beaten them in about 8 years. The Patriots were undefeated too.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was determined to prove the doubters wrong. The Bills had cut the lead to 21-10 by the half. Tom Brady was struggling. The Bills scored again. Then again. The Bills had the lead!
But, as was the case against the Raiders, the opponent came back. Tied at 24, the Bills scored another TD. The Pats answered. At the end of the game, Fred Jackson nearly scored a leading TD. Instead, the TD was called back and the Bills kicked the winning FG.
To beat the Patriots is sweet. A 3-0 record, the only undefeated AFC team, is great. Shutting up people who have dogged the team is wonderful. But it's a long season. This was a statement game, but there are still 13 games left. Let's not get carried away.
Down 21-0 in the first half, it looked like the naysayers were right. Sure, the Bills had come back from down 21-3 to the Raiders, but this was the Patriots. The Bills hadn't beaten them in about 8 years. The Patriots were undefeated too.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was determined to prove the doubters wrong. The Bills had cut the lead to 21-10 by the half. Tom Brady was struggling. The Bills scored again. Then again. The Bills had the lead!
But, as was the case against the Raiders, the opponent came back. Tied at 24, the Bills scored another TD. The Pats answered. At the end of the game, Fred Jackson nearly scored a leading TD. Instead, the TD was called back and the Bills kicked the winning FG.
To beat the Patriots is sweet. A 3-0 record, the only undefeated AFC team, is great. Shutting up people who have dogged the team is wonderful. But it's a long season. This was a statement game, but there are still 13 games left. Let's not get carried away.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Bills are 2-0
Down 21-3 in the second half, things bleak for the Bills. But this isn't your older brother's Bills. Ryan Fitzpatrick would throw for 3 touchdowns and Fred Jackson would run for two more when it was all said and done. Superstar Stevie Jackson nearly had 100 yards receiving and Jackson had more rushing.
The Bills managed to take the lead 24-21 early int he fourth. It seemed as if momentum was completely on Buffalo's side and the Bills might even cruise to an "easy" victory. But the Raiders came back to take the lead. The Bills answered. The Raiders scored another touchdown. On 4th down with only a few seconds remaining, Fitzpatrick threw the ball to a wide open Nelson for the 38-35 win.
The Bills are 2-0 now. They didn't win their second game last season until November 21. Coincidentally, that was also a stunning comeback; down 28-7 to the Bengals, the Bills won 49-31. You have to think all of those close losses to good teams last season helped. It also showed that Buffalo wasn't too far off last season from being a good team.
Next week is a big game against the Patriots at home.
The Bills managed to take the lead 24-21 early int he fourth. It seemed as if momentum was completely on Buffalo's side and the Bills might even cruise to an "easy" victory. But the Raiders came back to take the lead. The Bills answered. The Raiders scored another touchdown. On 4th down with only a few seconds remaining, Fitzpatrick threw the ball to a wide open Nelson for the 38-35 win.
The Bills are 2-0 now. They didn't win their second game last season until November 21. Coincidentally, that was also a stunning comeback; down 28-7 to the Bengals, the Bills won 49-31. You have to think all of those close losses to good teams last season helped. It also showed that Buffalo wasn't too far off last season from being a good team.
Next week is a big game against the Patriots at home.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Bills Win!
The Bills beat defending AFC West division champs on the road 41-7. Every facet of the game was working for Buffalo. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who the Bills sort of fell into, seems to be the short-term answer at QB. Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller make up a great RB duo. Superstar Stevie Johnson made a customary spectacular catch. Special teams was dominant. The defense was effective.
Hopefully, this is the first of many great Sundays for the Bills.
Hopefully, this is the first of many great Sundays for the Bills.
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Glorious Day
There is no team I hate more in professional sports more than the Miami Dolphins. My favorite NFL team, the Buffalo Bills beat the Dolphins in Miami 17-14 to crush their dreams of the playoffs.
The Bills are now 4-10. They've won two in a row. In the second half of the season, they're 4-2. One of those losses was a heartbreaking three point loss against the Steelers. The three games before they won their first were all heartbreaking three point losses.
We can play with the numbers and claim that if the Bills had won all of their close games, they'd be 8-6. But it doesn't work that way. The bottom line is that the future looks a lot brighter than it did two months ago. Ryan Fitzpatrick has shown he's capable. Superstar Stevie Johnson, save for one bad game against the Steelers, has broken out. The defense is playing better. Things are looking up!
The Bills are now 4-10. They've won two in a row. In the second half of the season, they're 4-2. One of those losses was a heartbreaking three point loss against the Steelers. The three games before they won their first were all heartbreaking three point losses.
We can play with the numbers and claim that if the Bills had won all of their close games, they'd be 8-6. But it doesn't work that way. The bottom line is that the future looks a lot brighter than it did two months ago. Ryan Fitzpatrick has shown he's capable. Superstar Stevie Johnson, save for one bad game against the Steelers, has broken out. The defense is playing better. Things are looking up!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Fifth Down
I was watching the Skins-Bucs game yesterday. McNabb threw a completed pass to Anthony Armstrong with time running out in the 4th quarter. The Skins were marching down the field for the game-tying TD.
The announcers, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa, all assumed it was 2nd down and 1 after Armstrong's catch. After an incompletion, a run for a loss, and another incompletion, the Skins seemingly had turned the ball over on downs. They were then given a fifth down, where Santana Moss caught a TD pass.
Some have blamed the announcers for not realizing that the Skins were actually given a 1st down after Armstrong's catch. But the Skins clearly started on the Bucs 12. After the Armstrong catch, the ball was clearly spotted short of the 2 yard line. The Skins should not have been given a first down. Again, it wasn't that it was a bad spot, the problem was the Skins hadn't gotten the necessary ten yards to earn a first down.
Someone messed up badly, but it wasn't the announcers. Spotting the ball is an inexact science, but determining the line to gain is not. It is ten yards from the start of the first play of the series. On the NFL's site, the play-by-play of the game claims that Armstrong reaches the 2 yard line, but if you watch the film, it's clear the ball was spotted short it.
Thankfully, there is justice in this world. A botched extra point attempt sealed the Skins fate. They lost by one.
And, the Bills won again! 6-10 here we come!
The announcers, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa, all assumed it was 2nd down and 1 after Armstrong's catch. After an incompletion, a run for a loss, and another incompletion, the Skins seemingly had turned the ball over on downs. They were then given a fifth down, where Santana Moss caught a TD pass.
Some have blamed the announcers for not realizing that the Skins were actually given a 1st down after Armstrong's catch. But the Skins clearly started on the Bucs 12. After the Armstrong catch, the ball was clearly spotted short of the 2 yard line. The Skins should not have been given a first down. Again, it wasn't that it was a bad spot, the problem was the Skins hadn't gotten the necessary ten yards to earn a first down.
Someone messed up badly, but it wasn't the announcers. Spotting the ball is an inexact science, but determining the line to gain is not. It is ten yards from the start of the first play of the series. On the NFL's site, the play-by-play of the game claims that Armstrong reaches the 2 yard line, but if you watch the film, it's clear the ball was spotted short it.
Thankfully, there is justice in this world. A botched extra point attempt sealed the Skins fate. They lost by one.
And, the Bills won again! 6-10 here we come!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Another Heartbreaking Loss
The Bills hung in there with the Steelers. In fact, they came back from 13 points down and hit a game tying field goal to send the game into overtime.
In OT, the Bills were so close to winning. After running the kickoff back to the 50-yard line, the Bills couldn't get a first down. Brian Moorman kicked the ball to the Steelers 4 yardline. After a solid defensive stand, the Bills were poised to get great field position. But the punt return was muffed and the Bills had to start on their own 34.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a perfect pass to Superstar Stevie Johnson that was dropped in the endzone. Later, Fitzpatrick was sacked, losing just enough yards to render a field goal attempt out of the question. The Steelers then drove down and scored the game winning field goal. Three of the last four Bills losses have been in overtime and all 4 have been by 3 points each.
In OT, the Bills were so close to winning. After running the kickoff back to the 50-yard line, the Bills couldn't get a first down. Brian Moorman kicked the ball to the Steelers 4 yardline. After a solid defensive stand, the Bills were poised to get great field position. But the punt return was muffed and the Bills had to start on their own 34.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a perfect pass to Superstar Stevie Johnson that was dropped in the endzone. Later, Fitzpatrick was sacked, losing just enough yards to render a field goal attempt out of the question. The Steelers then drove down and scored the game winning field goal. Three of the last four Bills losses have been in overtime and all 4 have been by 3 points each.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Bills are 2-8!
The Bills won their second straight game yesterday. After trailing the Begals 28-7, the Bills won 49-31. My fantasy football opponent had Superstar Stevie Johnson. Fortunately for me, he sat Johnson, who had an incredible game.
The march to 8-8 is on!
The march to 8-8 is on!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Bills are... FINALLY!
The Buffalo Bills won their first game of the season today. That is great news. It's just too bad it happened in week 10. Fred Jackson had a big day. When I heard they had won, after giving up a last minute touchdown to Detroit, but preventing the Lions from scoring the two-point conversion, I pumped my fist and yelled, "Yes!" as I was driving through Virginia.
Then I let out a big sigh. The Bills won't go winless this season. Whew.
Then I let out a big sigh. The Bills won't go winless this season. Whew.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
The Bills are 0-8
The last two Bills losses have been heartbreaking. The Bills were driving in the 4th against the Kansas Chiefs when Fitzpatrick threw an interception when the team was on the Chiefs 40. Rian Lindell misses a 50+ yard field goal and the Chiefs knocked one through the uprights with time running out in overtime.
Today, the Bills scored to close the lead to within 14-13. Lindell's extra point attempt was blocked, the first PAT miss of his career. The Bills scored, but missed the two-point conversion to take 19-14 lead. But the Chicago Bears scored late, made the two-point conversion and won 22-19. The Bills scored as many times as the Bears, both had 3 TDs, but the extra point fiasco was the difference.
The 0-8 Bills have lost three straight games by three points, two of them in overtime. We're getting close. But half the season is gone without a win. Anxiety is creeping in.
Today, the Bills scored to close the lead to within 14-13. Lindell's extra point attempt was blocked, the first PAT miss of his career. The Bills scored, but missed the two-point conversion to take 19-14 lead. But the Chicago Bears scored late, made the two-point conversion and won 22-19. The Bills scored as many times as the Bears, both had 3 TDs, but the extra point fiasco was the difference.
The 0-8 Bills have lost three straight games by three points, two of them in overtime. We're getting close. But half the season is gone without a win. Anxiety is creeping in.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Bills are 0-6
The overtime loss against the Ravens was painful. Part of it was that the Bills put up a great effort on the road against one of the better teams in the league. But the bigger part was that the officials were rooting hard for the Ravens.
Flacco lost a fumble that was recovered by the Bills. It was rightly reviewed and overturned. Spiller fumbled soon after, a play that was close enough to review, but wasn't. Then a clear interception by Reggie Corner was inexplicably overturned upon review. Apparently, his second foot came down on Anquan Boldin's leg and not the ground, which I guess doesn't count. But Corner's butt hit in bounds before he slid out. It should have been called an interception, a blown call that cost the Bills the game.
The next play was also reviewed and a dubious catch was overturned in the Ravens favor despite no conclusive evidence. The Bills fought back, even after the avalanche of points and bad reviews. Buffalo managed to get the game into overtime thanks to a long Rian Lindell field goal.
In overtime, the Bills were driving. Shawn Nelson caught a pass and his forward momentum was clearly stopped. The Ravens predictably held Nelson up and stripped the ball. Not only did the refs err by calling it a fumble, but the play was never reviewed. The booth consistently reviewed plays that could help the Ravens and overturned three calls in their favor. Meanwhile, two plays that went against the Bills should have been reviewed and weren't. It was a bad day for the replay booth and the head referee.
That the game was stolen from the Bills overshadowed Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, and Lee Evans great play.
Flacco lost a fumble that was recovered by the Bills. It was rightly reviewed and overturned. Spiller fumbled soon after, a play that was close enough to review, but wasn't. Then a clear interception by Reggie Corner was inexplicably overturned upon review. Apparently, his second foot came down on Anquan Boldin's leg and not the ground, which I guess doesn't count. But Corner's butt hit in bounds before he slid out. It should have been called an interception, a blown call that cost the Bills the game.
The next play was also reviewed and a dubious catch was overturned in the Ravens favor despite no conclusive evidence. The Bills fought back, even after the avalanche of points and bad reviews. Buffalo managed to get the game into overtime thanks to a long Rian Lindell field goal.
In overtime, the Bills were driving. Shawn Nelson caught a pass and his forward momentum was clearly stopped. The Ravens predictably held Nelson up and stripped the ball. Not only did the refs err by calling it a fumble, but the play was never reviewed. The booth consistently reviewed plays that could help the Ravens and overturned three calls in their favor. Meanwhile, two plays that went against the Bills should have been reviewed and weren't. It was a bad day for the replay booth and the head referee.
That the game was stolen from the Bills overshadowed Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, and Lee Evans great play.
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