The Skinny:
The Bills looked like a team that knew there season was over, and now it definitely is as they are mathematically eliminated for the 16th straight year. The Redskins blew out a disinterested Bills team 35-25 in putting the exclamation point on the demise of another Bills season. Kirk Cousins had a 13 yard touchdown run on a third and goal scramble sandwiched between two Jordan Reed touchdown receptions to give the Redskins a 21-0 halftime lead. It was the first time the Bills gave up touchdowns on the first three possessions of a game since 1999. The Bills had a chance to crawl closer before the intermission but were stopped on four straight shots from the one yard line. They tried again to comeback in the third quarter gaining 145 yards in three straight offensive plays including two touchdowns. Mike Gillislee, playing for the injured LeSean McCoy, ran 60 yards for a score. The Bills forced their first punt and then Tyrod Taylor hit rookie Nick O'Leary for his first NFL catch gaining 37 yards after a sideline scamper. Sammy Watkins than caught a 48 yard touchdown bomb on the next play to make the score 28-17 after three quarters. The poor play of the defense made a comeback nothing more than a pipe dream however. The Redskins responded to the Bills mini run by having a 13 play, 80 yard drive that took half a quarter. Pierre Garcon's 5 yard touchdown grab over the inept Leodis McKelvin was the game clinching score. Watkins caught his 2nd touchdown pass of the game in the final minutes to make the final score not look so bad.
The Turning Point:
Stefan Charles Penalty: Washington was already up 7-0 and on 4th and 1 at the Bills 37 they lined up to draw the Bills offsides without ever having the intention of hiking the ball. This play only works on the stupidest of teams which of course we know the Bills are. Stefan Charles jumped offsides and four plays later they were in the end zone.
The Big Drive:
The First Drive: There were many long drives to choose from but we will go with the first one. The Redskins went 84 yards in 10 plays covering the first 5:38 of the game to a three yard touchdown pass by Cousins to Jordan Reed that gave them the early lead they wouldn't relinquish. It was perhaps the worst defensive drive of the season for the Bills. Cousins hit all six of his passes, the first five the receivers were as open as you can get. Ronald Darby got burned badly by DeSean Jackson for a 28 yard gain on the drive. Reed also caught passes of 7 and 16 yards on the drive. Morris broke at least three tackles on a 9 yard run.
Stat I Did Like:
Taylor's Rushing Stats: He had 79 yards on 9 carries as he was running for his life.
Stat I Didn't Like:
Everything Else: Actually it isn't something on the stat sheet. It was their effort which was non existent.
Scene Setters: - The Bills wore white on white uniforms for this game. - Lots of reports were going around in the morning regarding the future of Mario Williams, Doug Whaley, and the future of the QB position. The offseason rumor mill is heating up already. - Bruce Smith was at the game and spoke with Jim Kelly on the field before the game. - Jim Kelly was the honorary captain for the Bills today. The other captains were EJ Manuel, Tyrod Taylor, Colton Schmidt, Ron Darby, Bacarri Rambo, and Cyrus Kouandjio.
Key Matchup Results:
The winners of the battles highlighted in our preview article: RB LeSean McCoy vs. MLB Will Compton: Winner: Compton. McCoy never got going before getting hurt. LT Cordy Glenn vs. WLB Ryan Kerrigan: Winner: Kerrigan. He got a sack and froced fumble. His friends helped him dominate an inept offensive line. The OL got totally blown up on a goal line stand. S Corey Graham vs. TE Jordan Reed: Winner: Reed. Complete domination for the rising star who looked like Gronk in this game scoring two touchdowns in the first half. CB Leodis McKelvin vs. WR DeSean Jackson: Winner: Jackson. He seemed healthy as he roamed free in the Bills secondary all game long.
Keys To The Game Results:
How the keys highlighted in our preview article turned out: 1. Get Up For The Game: Failure! They not only weren't up for the game it is questionable that they even showed up to play. 2. Be Aggressive: Failure! They pretty much got beat up badly that goal line stand was a perfect example of how they were beaten badly. 3. Play Smart: Failure! The penalty on Charles was as boneheaded as they come and jump started the rout.
My Take:
Every December for the past 16 years we have had to sit through one of these games. One where they team started looking ahead to their offseason plans and seemed very disinterested for a road game with nothing on the line. They seemed to never get off the bus and just gave up before the game ever started which is astonishing since they were still mathematically alive. Receivers were wide open all over the field for Washington while Tyrod Taylor was running for his life on almost every dropback. Rex Ryan said when he was hired they would build the bully and have the top ranked defense. Laughable statements by an overblown blowhard. The defense is the worst one in years around here and the offensive line was manhandled by another tough NFC East defensive line. It's the type of game where we wonder aloud why we keep coming back for more of the same. To make matters worse there are still two game to go in a season that has gone so wrong.
What's Ahead:
The Bills head back home to Orchard Park for the final two games of the season starting with a matchup against Matt Cassel and the Dallas Cowboys.
Gameballs
Mike Gillislee - His 60 yard touchdown run was the longest by a Bill since 2011. He had 81 yards on just four carries.
Sammy Watkins - Had five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Goats
Rex Ryan - It's really embarrassing to have a team quit on you.
The Entire Defense - The worst game we have seen in years from a Bills D.
The Offensive Line - Gave Taylor no time to do anything. Got blown up on the goal line three straight plays.
Leodis McKelvin - A liability in coverage.
Player Of The Week
Mike Gillislee - Proves again that you can get a running back anywhere.
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Positional Breakdown and Grades
