Monday, November 27, 2006

Bills 27 Jaguars 24

Wow. This game leaves one pondering the simple question, are the Buffalo Bills good? Well they are improving to say the least. The Bills have won 2 straight for the first time this season and have won 3 of 4 since the bye. The only loss came in Indianapolis in a game that the Bills could have and maybe should have won. The huge test will come next Sunday, but for now, let's enjoy this win.

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  1. The quarterback looks like he has a clue. A few weeks ago, Bills fans were complaining about how JP didn't have what it takes and could not perform in the clutch. Well, 3 of the past 4 weeks, Losman has led the Bills to game winning fourth quarter scores and yesterday it happened in dramatic fashion for the 2nd week in a row. He should poise and confidence in the final 30 seconds. He put the ball right where it needed to be on the big play to Parrish to set up the game winning field goal. He stepped up in the pocket and threw the ball only where Parrish could get it. Losman was 21-28 for 169 yards and 1 int. That is a 75 percent completion percentage. Losman ranks 12th in the NFL in QB rating at 84.1 and his completion percentage of 63.8 ranks 8th in the NFL. Taking into account the class of 2004, he trails only Philip Rivers in these categories. Furthermore, Losman has greatly decreased the number of sacks he has taken in the past 2 weeks. He was only sacked once in Houston and was sacked 0 times yesterday. It looks as if JP is maturing and progressing like all of Western New York had hoped.
  2. It makes me sick to think about how we didn't get the ball in Roscoe Parrish's hands at all in Indianapolis on offense. This guy makes plays and it was evident Sunday as he was the MVP of the Bills win. His 82 yards punt return was a thing of beauty and the catch on the sideline at the end of the game was incredible. It was a perfect throw and a perfect catch and it was just a clutch play. I didn't think i would say Bills and clutch in the same sentence ever again but how else can you describe their play in 3 of the past 4 games.
  3. Willis McGahee brought it yesterday. Maybe he felt some competition from Anthony Thomas like he did from Travis Henry in 04. He had a nose for the endzone yesterday. He had 12 carries for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns. He averaged over 5 per against the 3rd ranked defense in the NFL. Anyone who thought McGahee and Thomas were even comparable I hope now realizes how completely lost they are. McGahee can be an elite running back in this league and next weekend he will be out to prove himself against the best back in Ladainian Tomlinson.

The Bills played far from a perfect game however. The coaching was suspect again in my opinion and the defense could not stop the run as usual.

  • The Bills coaches made some questionable decisions in this game. After the Evans pass interference set up first and goal from the 9, the Bills ran 3 plays with the A Train in the game. Are you serious???? In that situation how is your best football player not on the field. I know the coaches were trying to limit his carries but on third and goal from the 3 if you are going to run you give it to your best guy. McGahee not on the field there was awful.
  • At the end of the first half, the Bills got the ball with 1:11 left and 3 timeouts. They held onto a 17-14 lead. The Bills ran out the clock. How do you not even try to score points in that situation. 3 timeouts??!?!?!?!? Show some confidence in your quarterback. Not trying to get points there almost cost them the football game.
  • As usual, the Bills seemed to go into a shell after gaining the early lead. They seem to try and not lose rather than try to win. In one specific situation, the Bills had 3rd and 8 from the Jags 35 up 24-17 in the fourth quarter. The Bills ran a draw play, got stuffed for a loss of 3 and had to punt. The punt went into the endzone so the net gain on the play was 18 yards. If Buffalo gets a field goal there they are up 10 and the game is pretty much over. Not to mention, if they pick up the first down, another 2 minutes are off the clock at least. The coaches showed no confidence in their quarterback again in this situation. Finally, if you are going to run a draw there, GIVE IT TO YOUR BEST RUNNING BACK, not a backup.
  • Finally, the defense cannot stop the run. Jones Drew and Taylor ran through the Bills D. The 4th and 13 scramble by Garrard was pathetic especially since he ran through 4 tacklers before getting the first down. They have 6 days to figure it out.

Well the Bills got a huge win and are 2 games back with 5 to play. They have a chance this Sunday to make some major noise against one of the best teams in the league. The Ralph will be ready.

PS: Del Rio...The squib kick does not has not and will not ever work.

PPS: The 12th man brought it Sunday. 2 false start penalties in a row against the Jags on their last drive were all the 12th man.

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