Bills 17 Redskins 16

by Coast

Unbelievable. Incredible. I still can't believe what I saw happen today. An incredible last second win and yes, finally, the Bills were not the victims of an unbelievable finish. Instead it was the Bills with the improbable last second win. Did we see the birth of a franchise quarterback today? The jury is still out but Trent Edwards took a stride today that JP Losman took 3 years to make. Edwards was mediocre all game. He was inaccurate on some throws. The Bills offense sputtered when they got inside scoring territory. But, when the game was on the line, Trent made perhaps the best throw I have seen a Bills quarterback make in that type of situation in my entire life as a Bills fan. The play came with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was first and 10 from the Bills 37 and Buffalo had no time outs. They needed a miracle. Then, Edwards fired a dart over the middle for 30 yards, in between 4 Redskin defenders, right in stride to Josh Reed to the Redskin 33. A 30 yard gain and the most clutch throw in recent memory.

Yeah, the Bills offense did struggle for a lot of the day. They looked awful in some situations. But what really matters in this game is your rookie third round pick. A guy that I have said I didn't want in the game. A guy I said isn't ready to be an NFL starter. He proved me wrong in a big way. He looked un-phased. He never looked nervous. On that last possession, he seemed like everything was under control even though all Bills fans were pretty close to killing themselves or at least I was. Edwards may have just had that one moment that allows a young quarterback to emerge onto the scene in the NFL and he is only a rookie.

I was impressed today, but I am not ready to anoint Edwards as a future all pro. I just saw a sign of something special on that last drive. All that said, the offense needs to improve in the red zone. The Bills scored no touchdowns today and I can't really blame Trent for any of that. The Bills killed themselves in the red zone with penalties. Twice in the red zone the Bills took holding penalties that really shot themselves in the foot. Also, the fumble by Royal killed them on another drive in which they were nearing the red zone. Without those penalties, who knows what could have happened.

Freddy Jackson has solidified himself as the number two running back on this roster. What a day for him. Jackson had 82 yards rushing and 69 yards receiving for 151 total yards on the day. This was only with 20 touches. That is 7.5 yards per touch. He made a huge play on a 54 yard reception that set up points. Fred never seemed to take negative plays either. He ran tough inside and showed great hands out of the backfield. What a one two punch him and Lynch can be.

I have had enough of number 84. This guy kills us week in and week out and I don't know why he is on the roster. Royal fumbled in scoring territory and then took a holding that put us in a hole in scoring territory again. There is just a laundry list of plays where this guy has killed us in the 28 games he has been a member of this team. I think everyone knows how I feel about Robert Royal and it gets proven every week. This guy is an idiot. His IQ has to be 2 maybe 5 if that. What does he do that is a positive? He doesn't catch passes down the field. Is he really this good of a blocker? He better be in a league with Steve Hutchinson because that is the only way his blocking should warrant him being on the team. I am done with Robert Royal and have been since week one 2006.

The Bills defense stepped it up today in the 2nd half big time. What a job by them today. After watching Washington just march the ball all over them in the first half, the Bills defense made big play after big play in the 2nd half. The Bills bent significantly in the first half, but all that said, they only allowed 3 field goals. In the 2nd half, the Bills were able to force some turnovers and they came from an extremely surprising source. Defensive tackle Larry Tripplett had his best game as a Bill. On back to back possessions, Tripplett intercepted a pass and then forced a fumble. Each turnover led to Bills field goals. The Bills also were able to generate a pass rush for the first time in weeks or possibly all season. The Bills sacked Jason Campbell 3 times including once for a safety. The Bills run defense was great all game as well. They were only able to generate 80 yards on the day. Portis had 25 carries for only 50 yards and the Redskins offense as a whole only generated 282 yards.

The Bills special teams was again bad today. Rock Cartright averaged 26.8 yards per kick return. The Redskins seemed to always be starting drives around the 40. On the other side, McGee only averaged 12.7 yards per return. The Bills also took stupid penalties on special teams destroying field position. Two holding calls today cost the Bills. Brian Moorman sucked again today. He keeps shanking punts and it is unexplainable. A 35 yard average for Moorman is not what we expect. Whats more, pooch kick offs were fumbled by tightends and linemen twice resulting in near turnovers, WTF Neufeld you are a tightend catch the ball!

Finally I can take this opportunity to say for the first time ever, Dick Jauron you impressed me at the end of the game. Jauron was all over the back to back time out unsportsmanlike call. As soon as Washington called the second time out Jauron was screaming that's 15 yards. He knew the rule and him speaking up may have alerted the officials. Jauron needed to redeem himself after not challenging the non fumble call on Cooley's reception on the Redskins first possession.(Although if the play on the field was ruled incomplete the defense can not challenge it calling it a catch allegedly) What is wrong with NFL coaches? Joe Gibbs, the hall of famer, doesn't even know the rules. How come every game there are decisions by coaches where you just scratch your head and wonder what the hell these idiots are thinking. These guys get paid millions of dollars and seem to just be completely lost at times. If you are a hall of famer, you know the rules Gibbs. Stick to Nascar buddy.

The Bills put themselves right in the middle of the playoff race with this win. As we speak, the Cardinals lead the Browns 27-21(now a final) and the Browns have the ball at the 35 of Arizona with 15 seconds left. Assuming the Browns lose, the Bills will sit one game behind the Titans and Browns for the final playoff spot in the AFC. And the Browns have lost so here are your up to the minute AFC standings.

Patriots 11-0
Colts 10-2
Steelers 8-3
Chargers 7-5
Jaguars 8-4
Browns 7-5 (5-4)
Titans 7-5 (4-4)
Bills 6-6 (5-5)
Broncos, Texans 5-7

The Bills are somehow one game out and next week they got the 0-12 Dolphins at home. This team is a live big time. Beat Miami and you got yourself a showdown week 15 at Cleveland Browns stadium, winner potentially takes a strangle hold on the AFC wild card race.

Absolutely unbelievable.