I didn’t think the Bills could top the week one destruction of the Chiefs for their home opener. I figured this entry wouldn’t have quite the substance to it as we settled into a typical Bills low scoring game (even though I thought they’d win).
Hmm, maybe I was wrong? Wow. Amazing, amazing game and victory. Let’s get to it.
1st Quarter
What Happened
– Teams started slow with 4 punts (2 each). Bills wasted a 34 yard run by Fred Jackson on their second possession with a penalty and then a six yard loss by Brad Smith on third down.
– On third possession, Raiders started driving down the field, ending the quarter at Bills 44, helped by 30 yards rushing by Darren McFadden.
Commentary
A complete opposite quarter than what we will later see in the 4th – really not much to write home about here. The Bills defense actually had a pretty good start; even though the Raiders caught us off guard on some screen passes to McFadden, we did a commendable job with the run defense. That was a major concern coming in, so the D passed that test for the whole game really.
I would have liked for Brad Smith to throw that pass down the field on the big loss on third down. The replay made it look like a couple guys were open deep and he may have hesitated since they were grouped to close together. But he needs to take that shot and be more of a threat with his arm as the season progresses, even though he still ran very well in his few opportunities vs the Raiders.
2nd Quarter
What Happened
– Raiders finish off drive started at end of 1st with a Michael Bush one yard TD run. McFadden gained 7 more yards and Jason Campbell completed a 20 yard pass to Denarius Moore.
– On the next possession, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an interception on third down on a pass intended for Stevie Johnson, which gave the Raiders the ball on Bills 34.
– Raiders cash in on this opportunity with a 5 yard TD run by McFadden. Biggest play on drive is 17 yard completion from Jason Campbell to Derek Hagan.
-Bills finally put together a long scoring drive, culminating in a 25 yard Rian Lindell FG. This march included completions to Johnson (19 yards) and Roscoe Parrish (16 yards) in which Roscoe injured his ankle and would not return in game and would later be put on season ending IR on Tuesday.
– With just 2 minutes left in the half, the Raiders drove down for another score. Campbell converted the opportunity with a QB dive with 1:22 left. Significant plays included 42 yard pass to Moore and 22 yard run by Bush.
– Bills took the ball down the field in final possession of half but Lindell missed a FG attempt of 39 yards on a partial block. David Nelson had 2 catches for 18 yards on drive.
Commentary
For the first time this season, the wind was taken out of Bills fans’ sails. There was the prototypical meltdown on Twitter and I almost tweeted that everyone needed to chill out a little, but I didn’t. In retrospect, I would have sounded like a patient, wise man, so maybe I should have done it. I just felt that the game was far from over, and many of these same players played a part in the big Cincinnati comeback last year.
Fitz’s interception wasn’t pretty but this is sometimes what you get when you have a gunslinger under center. Sometimes he’ll just try to fit that ball in too tight of a spot or throw it up for just anyone to come down with. But I think we’ll all take it over the alternatives we’ve had in the past, correct? Tenative he is not and I love it.
Chan took a lot of heat for the FG attempt on 4th and short here, and I was one of the crowd that wasn’t thrilled. The Bills offense was finally moving the ball down the field, actually having the Raiders on the ropes a bit, and that would have shown a lot of confidence in his players. But in Gailey’s defense he did go for it twice at the end of the game when it mattered on 4th down, so maybe it was just a timing thing for him.
3rd Quarter
What Happened
– Bills score their first TD of the game on their fourth play from scrimmage in second half as Jackson scores on 43 yard run.
– Bills defense then halts 11 play drive of Raiders as Nick Barnett strips McFadden of the ball and Danny Batten recovers.
– Bills take advantage of this turnover as Fitzpatrick hits Johnson for a 7 yard TD pass. Spiller rushes for 30 yards on drive.
– Bills move down field again with 24 yards receiving by Johnson and a 29 yard run by Jackson before quarter ends.
Commentary
– In last week’s post I gushed about Fred Jackson and he matched that performance this game as well. His TD run was a joy to watch – he had a nice burst as he made his way to end zone but also ran with opportunistic determination, almost willing the team back into the game in that one play. If we didn’t score on that drive, the game was pretty much over, so that was an impressive job of leadership by #22.
– The defense definitely showed that they have some issues to work out this week, but I was once again impressed by Nick Barnett. As big as Freddy’s TD was to give us hope, Barnett’s strip of McFadden was the turning point as far as I was concerned. The Raiders were moving down the field again, taking away our momentum, but that one play tipped it back in our favor. Nick just seems to be all over the field and also around the ball when he needs to be to make a play. That free agent pickup is looking one of Buddy Nix’s best moves as GM.
– C.J. showed his first progression as a NFL running back this week. He wasn’t dancing and juking around but running with patience and letting the offensive line develop holes for him. If he can run like he did Sunday going forward, it will make our offense that much more dangerous, even if he just has 5 or 6 carries each game.
4th Quarter
What Happened
– A lot…
– Continuing the drive started at end of third, Fitzpatrick hit Scott Chandler for a 10 yard gain before Jackson ran it in from 1 yard. Bills first lead of day.
– Raiders head coach Hue Jackson flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing the challenge flag on unchallengeable play. Bills kickoff from 50.
– Raiders answer with a 12 yard TD pass from Campbell to McFadden. Hagan had 34 yards receiving and Moore 10 yards receiving, 25 yards rushing (double reverse).
– Bills came right back and scored on 6 yard pass from Fitzpatrick to Chandler. Spiller ran for 26 yards and Johnson had 29 yards receiving to lead the way.
– Raiders reply yet again with a 50 yard bomb from Campbell to Moore. McFadden also had 20 yards receiving on drive.
– Bills capture victory on 15 play winning drive on a Fitzpatrick to Nelson 6 yard TD on 4th and 1. Nelson dominated drive with 5 catches for 37 yards. Bills convert 2 4th downs.
– Raiders give it one more shot with a hail mary attempt to Moore that was intercepted by rookie safety Da’Norris Searcy.
Commentary
One of the best quarters of Bills football since the 90’s. My heart was racing almost the whole time, especially on the game winning David Nelson winner.
Speaking of Nelson, it looks like I sorely underestimated him when I wrote a post here about our #2 receiver possibilities. I wrote that Parrish would lead the way after Stevie, but with #11’s injury it’s obvious I was horribly wrong there. Nelson has clearly become that dependable second option that Parrish was early last year. He just doesn’t drop any passes and Fitz has a tremendous comfort with him. He could become a dynamic slot receiver in the Wes Welker mode that hopefully translates to over 90 receptions some day.
It might be time to accept that Leodis McKelvin is not be an NFL caliber starting corner. The window of opportunity is really closing on him and he was schooled by a unknown, young receiver of the Raiders this week. He just couldn’t match Moore’s speed and overall seems to always be one step behind over the last few years. Terrence Mcgee may be getting up there in age and consistently injured but if Leodis keeps this up, the injury to Terrence will be a bigger deal than I originally thought. Perhaps it’s time to give more reps to Aaron Williams even if it would mean a little bit of trial by fire?
Fitz is a general out there. He just picked apart the Raiders defense left and right. Credit has to go to Gailey and his excellent play calling and adjustments, but Fitz just shows terrific confidence and poise in trying situations. The Bills need to lock this guy up before his price tag skyrockets.
Love that Hugh Jackson forgot about (or didn’t know) the new rules for the official review of each scoring play.
Scott Chandler showed great awareness in pulling his TD catch away from the Raider defender. Just another example of what a big, physical TE can do for you.
A key play on that last drive that went unnoticed was Donald Jones’ breakup of a sure Fitz interception before the winning score.
I could have sworn that the Raiders scored on that final play. My heart almost literally stopped.
Some General Notes
– Bills scored on all 5 possessions in second half, the first team any team has done that in 18 years.
– Jackson’s 229 yards leads the league in rushing, Fitz has 7 TD’s and Bills are second in NFL in total offense. Yes, preseason is a great indicator of what will follow, isn’t it? Oh yeah, the Bills also have allowed one sack against so far.
– Last week I thought the Bills might have held Shawne Merriman back and that he played an important role of drawing double teams. While this might be true – and Gailey admitted on Monday that Shawne can’t play a full game – I think we need to see some impact plays from him eventually. A sack or two vs Tom Brady would be a good start.
– I’ll say it again. Isn’t it wonderful to have someone like Chan, who truly understands offensive creativity, calling the plays? He’s rarely outcoached on that side of the ball.
– Marcell Dareus is so quick. The play for him that stuck out to me was when he rushed the passer, but then turned on a dime to chase down McFadden on the sideline after a screen pass. The man is an atheletic freak of nature.
Next week – 2-0 Patriots vs 2-0 Bills. Bring it on. It’s going to be a long wait the rest of the week.
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkBerm
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