|
Week 3: Big Plays By The Defense Leads Bills To Upset Win
Two second half interceptions lead Bills to victory.
by Steve Saslow
Here are our position by position grades:
Quarterback:
Tyrod Taylor was solid throughout as he had an efficient game against a great defensive despite not having a good running attack. He completed 20 of his 26 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns.
Grade A: A really nice QB rating of 126.0.
Running Backs:
LeSean McCoy struggled running the football but made a difference in the receiving game. He had only 21 yards rushing on 14 carries but led the team with seven catches for 48 yards.
Mike Tolbert was used a lot in this game and ran better than McCoy with 11 carries for 41 yards. He did drop an easy touchdown pass from Taylor.
Grade D: The running game is a problem.
Receivers:
Jordan Matthews had a 28 yard catch and run to kickstart a second quarter touchdown drive. He had another long catch and finished with three catches for 61 yards.
Zay Jones had two targets both went off his hands although one went to Holmes for a touchdown.
Andre Holmes had just two catches for six yards but one was a nice catch on a deflection from Jones for a score.
Kaelin Clay caught his first pass as a Bill and it was a big one, a 28 yard deep pass from Taylor that setup their first touchdown.
Charles Clay caught all six targets for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Nick O'Leary was called for an illegal block in the back on a Taylor scramble. He then made a magnificent 31 yard catch to keep a Bills drive aloud.
Grade C-: Still need a lot more from this unit.
Offensive Line:
Richie Incognito was called for a holding penalty that negated a good run by McCoy late in the third quarter.
Dion Dawkins got the start for Cordy Glenn and held up well.
John Miller was called for holding but it stopped Von Miller from killing Taylor.
Grade C: Did nothing in the run game but did give Taylor time to throw.
Defensive Line:
Kyle Williams had a sack and was very active all over the field.
Jerry Hughes was called for roughing the passer when he barely hit Siemian with a shoulder as the ball was let go. He had three tackles but not enough pressure.
Shaq Lawson was quiet with just one tackle but did have a sack.
Eddie Yarbrough got great pressure on Siemian forcing him to throw it away in the first quarter. He also had a pressure in the fourth quarter and Siemian through an interception to White that helped the Bills seal the game.
Cedric Thornton got the start for the injured Marcell Dareus but was quiet with two tackles. Dareus was not really missed in this game.
Adolphus Washington was called for an illegal hands in the face penalty which negated a third down incompletion in the fourth quarter. He had two tackles.
Grade B: Solid effort for a majority of the running plays.
Linebackers:
.
Preston Brown with a nice tackle and diagnosis of a screen pass to stop Jamaal Charles for only one yard. He was beaten for a 14 yard gain by Ben Fowler in the opening drive of the second half. He did lead the way with 10 tackles and was flying all over the field.
Lorenzo Alexander came flying in for a stop for a one yard loss on C.J. Anderson. He also had a sack and was pretty active in this game.
Ramon Humber had eight tackles in the win.
Grade B+: Solid effort from this unit.
Secondary:
Tre'Davious White was burned for a big 29 yard gain in the first quarter when he was caught peeking back at the QB and Emmanuel Sanders beat him easily. He was called for a pass interference that negated a third down pass breakup that looked like a really tough call against the rookie. He was then beaten for a 12 yard reception by Sanders. He was beaten by Thomas for a 21 yard gain on 3rd and 3 late in the first half. He did bounce back to make back to back pass breakups in the second half to force a punt that the Broncos faked unsuccessfully. He had a big interception that helped clinch the win as well.
E.J. Gaines was beaten for a 19 yard gain by Ben Fowler. He was called for pass interference but the catch was made. Had great coverage on 3rd down pass to force Broncos to settle for a first quarter field goal. He broke up a pass in the end zone on the first drive of the second half. He then picked off Siemian later in the third quarter and then knocked down a pass in the final drive to help clinch the win.
Leonard Johnson had a big tackle for a loss in his two tackles and did real well in coverage from the slot.
Micah Hyde broke up a 3rd down pass with a big hit in the first quarter to force a punt. He was called for a late hit out of bounds on the Broncos first TD drive after a 35 yard run by Anderson.
Jordan Poyer had four tackles.
Grade B+: They struggled in the first half but were unbelievable after halftime.
Special Teams:
Colton Schmidt had five punts for a 45.2 yard average with a 38 yard net and two inside the 20. He did have one touchback that could have been down inside the 20.
Steve Hauschka was the star of the game with field goals from 49, 55, 53, and 27 while hitting both extra points and not missing a kick.
Brandon Tate had a big 17 yard punt return and averaged 10 yards on two punt returns while averaging 20.5 yards on two kickoff returns.
Coverage Units did a fantastic job on the fake punt as Deon Lacey made the stop. The Bills were ready for it. They did allow a 16 yard punt return and 27 yard average on three kickoff returns.
Grade A+: Big part of the victory.
Coaching:
Sean McDermott had his team ready to play and they left with an upset win. Great win. They play hard for him.
Rick Dennison had a good offensive game plan as they scored 26 points against one of the league's best defenses.
Leslie Frazier has been a great addition to this team. He has the defense playing real well.
Grade A: Big upset win.
 Bills Blitz
NFL.com Gamebook
Broncos Game Preview
Gameday Homepage
|
