Archives for December 2004

‘The offense didn’t have an explosion but they did enough to win. The defense struggled against the run but made big plays when they had to. Special teams made one big play, a few smaller ones, and flirted with disaster on a few other plays. Here are our position by position grades…’.

‘The fact the Bengals were so repulsive, though, should not diminish the resourcefulness of the Bills, who won for the fifth straight time.’

‘Rookie Jason Peters blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Defensive end Chris Kelsay recorded his first career pick.’

‘Rudi Johnson opened the scoring with a three yard TD run and had 130 yards on the afternoon. Despite that, I think the Bills defense really arrived. Cincinnati had been a scoring machine lately picking up 113 points in three games. The Bills held them to just ten more points after falling behind.’

‘“I was thinking, ‘Get up, Willis,”’ Bledsoe said. “He’s been so pivotal in us turning this thing around, and it’s a testament to him to get to where he is, with what he’s gone through. Hopefully he’ll be all right.”’

‘Mike Mularkey on the destiny of the Bills:

“I don’t know if it’s destiny or just a team that’s made up of good character – guys that have never given in … not once. Even again, in this game, being down early and not blinking.”‘

‘Just five short weeks ago, the Bills were left for dead at 3-6 after an embarrassing defeat to the New England Patriots. Since then, Buffalo has scored at least 33 points in each win, making the 2004 team the first to score 30 points in five straight games in franchise history.’

‘For the second straight week against a playoff contender, the Bengals self-destructed with turnovers and gaffes and blew up their own playoff chances as well as a shot at a winning season during an ugly and cold 33-17 loss here to the Bills at Paul Brown Stadium.’

‘With the defense and special teams playing so well, the Bills’ offense didn’t have to do much. Drew Bledsoe was 15-of-30 for 183 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans.’

‘Linebacker Takeo Spikes all but ended his former team’s postseason hopes and kept his current squad in the thick of the playoff chase.’

‘Buffalo running back Willis McGahee left the game with a hyperextended knee after rushing for 25 yards on 11 carries.’

‘The Bengals offense has played extremely well but Spikes could single-handedly disrupt their offense. He is both a stout run stopper and can also play back in coverage. He has three interceptions on the year, tied for second on the team. Cincinnati needs to be aware of where he is on the field at all times. Even if the Bengals double or triple team him, it may not be enough to contain the excitement he will be feeling on the field this week.’

‘What is going to decide the Bengals’ first home game in December between two playoff contenders (Cincinnati at 6-7 and Buffalo 7-6) in nine years is that little matchup in agate print: Special teams.’

‘The Bengals’ offense is one of the hottest in the NFL, averaging 478 yards a game over the past three weeks. Even though Cincinnati (6-7) will be without starting quarterback Carson Palmer, who has a knee injury, the Bengals will turn to one of the most competent backups in the NFL – Jon Kitna. He threw the third-most touchdown passes in the league last year.’

‘The Bills’ ability to control the clock probably will be a huge factor against a Bengals offense that has been racing up and down the field the past month. "That’s one of the first things I go to see," Mularkey said. "Obviously if you have the ball, you have chances to score and they don’t. It’s been a couple years since I did it, but typically the top teams in the league are at the top in time of possession."’