Week 7: Bills Hang On For 19-14 Win
Defense comes up big and avoids another last second loss.
by Steve Saslow

at Week 7 Ravens   14 Bills   19 Gameday Grades

This game against the Ravens had all the makings of another gut wrenching loss for the Bills. They lost two home games in the final second and after Trent Edwards threw an interception deep in Buffalo territory in the fourth quarter it looked like they gave the Ravens a chance at pulling out the win. The defense gave up a touchdown there but held on the next two series as the Bills defeated the Ravens 19-14 to go to 2-4 on the season.

The game was about the return of Willis McGahee to Buffalo and he was ready for this game but so was the Bills defense. McGahee finished with a season high 114 yards including a 46 yard touchdown run on the opening possession of the third quarter that got the Ravens to within two points at 9-7. McGahee had some moments but for the most part the new look Bills defense kept him and the Ravens offense at bay.

On offense, Trent Edwards moved the team at times but couldn't find the end zone as Rian Lindell hit four big field goals in the game including three in the first half that gave the Bills a 9-0 halftime lead. Edwards drove the Bills 75 yards in 12 plays on their second possession to the first points of the game. That started a streak of three straight field goal drives. The second field goal was setup by a 34 yard pass interference penalty on Samari Rolle. The third field goal was setup by a forced fumble by Angelo Crowell that was recovered by John DiGiorgio.

The Bills were never able to put this game away as they struggled to find the end zone. After McGahee's long touchdown run the Bills would respond with another Lindell field goal on a nice 51 yard drive. The Bills would add to the lead with a 71 yard drive in five plays to a 1 yard Marshawn Lynch touchdown run to give the Bills a 19-7 lead going in to the fourth quarter. That drive got started off quickly with a 54 yard hookup from Edwards to Lee Evans.

Bills fans always seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop and it appeared it did when Edwards through an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Replay overturned the touchdown but the Ravens would score anyway. On a 4th and 11 play, Kyle Boller hit Derrick Mason for a 15 yard touchdown pass to put the Ravens in striking distance but the Bills defense would prevail from there and hold on for the win.

It was a big win for a team that has been bothered by outside distractions from a quarterback controversy to all the Toronto talk and the last second loss to Dallas. They overcame all those things and beat a pretty good Baltimore team. It shows that Marv Levy did build a team of character as they showed it once again like they did against Dallas only this time it was in victory instead of a defeat.

Here are our exclusive gameballs and goats from the Bills game against the Ravens:

Rian Lindell - He had his biggest game of the year and that was the difference in the game.

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