The Skinny:
It wasn't easy but the Bills walked off the field today with their first victory of the season as they held on to beat the Lions 14-12 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The game was in doubt until the final seconds when Shaun Hill couldn't find an open receiver on a two point conversion attempt. He threw it out of the end zone looking for Brandon Pettigrew. George Wilson recovered the onside kick and that sealed the win for the Bills. The Lions had a frantic 88 yard, 15 play drive to a score with :14 left on a Calvin Johnson 20 yard catch to pull within two. The Bills went conservative in the fourth quarter after opening up a 14-3 lead through three quarters. Fred Jackson scored both Buffalo touchdowns and had 170 total yards including 133 on the ground to lead the Bills offense. The defense had an inspired effort before going prevent in the fourth quarter to allow the Lions back in the game.
The Turning Point:
This has to be the two point conversion. The Bills stop of the two point conversion play was the one big play they had to have and they got it and their first win.
The Big Drive:
It would be the Bills opening possession of the second half. They had the wind at their back and needed to score in the third quarter and they took care of it quickly. It was just a six play, 73 yard drive. Jackson ran for 39 yards on the first play of the drive and ended it with a 16 yard touchdown catch on a shovel pass.
Stat of the Game:
Rushing Yards: The Bills out rushed the Lions 151-76. Jackson had a great game and the run defense did a nice job.
What You Don't See On The Stat Sheet:
The Bills had six possessions in the first half and three ended with nothing to show for it in Lions territory. They punted once, turned it over on downs once, and fumbled it away once.
Quick Slants:
- The Bills opened in a three receiver set and used Donald Jones instead of David Nelson.
- Terrence McGee was active but did not start, Leodis McKelvin did. Gailey said he wouldn't ease McGee back but that is exactly what he did.
- The Bills are snake bit when it comes to interceptions. They came so close to getting two on the Lions last minute drive before the half. Three players had a chance at one deflection and it fell incomplete. McKelvin nearly made a fantastic pick in the end zone but he couldn't pull it in. If either of those plays are made the Lions are held scoreless in the first half. They ended up with a field goal just before halftime.
- The Lions were called for six penalties that were accepted in the first 10 minutes of the game.
My Take:
It is always nice to have your team win a game so I will sit back and enjoy it. Yes it was the Lions, yes they struggled late in the game, and yes it may hurt them down the line as far in the draft order but I'll take the win today. They still don't make the big play often enough but they finally made one on the two point conversion play and that was enough to get the monkey off their back.
What's Ahead:
The Bills head to Cincinnati to play a Bengals team that they have had a lot of success against in recent years. The Bengals are reeling as they are shocked to be 2-7. The Bills look to build on their first win of the year.
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Positional Breakdown and Grades
