Week 17: Eagles Fly By Bills 17-9
Offense totally inept as McNabb flourishes.
by Steve Saslow

at Week 17 Bills    9 Eagles   17 Gameday Grades

I was feeling sorry that the Bills season was coming to an end, after that performance by the offense it seemed like it ended a few weeks ago. The team came to play in the 17-9 loss to the Eagles. They didn't run for the bus on defense as they played hard but the offense looked like they didn't get off the bus. While the defense was playing stout most of the game and forcing two turnovers to help the offense they couldn't do it all.

How many people watching the game knew the Bills would have to settle for a field goal after Marshawn Lynch ran out of gas on his 56 yard run? That was the case as it was on two other drives that ended in field goals. A fourth drive into the red zone ended when two straight runs gained no yards on third and fourth down.

The game appeared over when the Eagles got a good bounce after Bryan Scott forced a fumble on a long pass completion it rolled into the end zone where only an Eagle was there to recover it for a 17-6 lead in the third quarter. That lead against the Bills offense is as insurmountable as a 2-0 lead in a soccer match.

The Bills had their chances but the offense went in reverse for most of the second half. Lynch actually lost 8 yards the rest of the game after his long scamper. The Eagles were really in no danger of losing the game as they were holding an eight point lead for the entire fourth quarter. The only way they likely would have scored would have been on defense or special teams because the offense was scared of the end zone. They didn't take one shot at the end zone in the passing game despite threatening four times. Even if they managed to put it in the end zone they didn't seem capable enough to convert a two point play with an offense that inept. After the game, Josh Reed blasted the offensive system saying his young son would be able to defend against this offense.

That comment said it all, the offensive players grew increasingly frustrated as the season went on and they got worse over the last month which was hard to do. Going in to the season it was thought the offense would carry the defense. While the defense did have some growing pains they performed much better then an offense that broke a club record for fewest touchdowns in a season.

There is a lot of work to do before next season especially on offense. It will be a long offseason and we will be their everyday to keep you informed of all the off season moves surrounding the Bills, a team we love no matter how many years in a row that they break our hearts.

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

Rian Lindell - He's the secret weapon on offense, actually the only weapon.

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