Archives for October 2010

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick delivered the Bills’ first individual 300-yard passing game in four years as he completed 29 of 43 passes for 374 yards. He threw a damaging pick on the first play of the third quarter that led to a Ravens TD, but his career-high 4 TD passes more than offset that. Hey, is he the QB of the future after all? Well, probably not, but it was a terrific performance.’

‘It all would have added up to one of the biggest upsets in team history if the Bills hadn’t lost the turnover battle, 4-2.’

‘"We lost some guys last year and I felt like if not now, when?" he said. "When will I be able to take my role as a playmaker in the NFL? I feel like this is my opportunity and I’m trying to take advantage of it. When you’ve got a quarterback like Fitz [Ryan Fitzpatrick], he makes it easy for me. It’s all him putting the ball in the right areas. All I have to do is put my hands up and catch it."’

‘Considering the quality of the opponent and the dismal state of the team, it might have been the most remarkable performance by a Bills quarterback since Jim Kelly retired. Fitz might not be the long-term answer, but if he’s a career backup, more NFL teams should have career backups running the show.’

‘Once again, the Bills’ secondary was victimized by an opposing tight end. Todd Heap scored two touchdowns on catches of 26 and 14 yards.’

‘Bills receiver David Nelson only had two catches but both came on the drive to a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. One was a 16-yarder on a fourth-and-7 play from the Buffalo 12.’

‘Gailey’s play calling was sensational. Ravens hadn’t given up 506 yards in a game since 2000 season. Made the right calls to get to OT.’

‘Good teams need many things – solid coaching, a little luck, even a frenetic fan base can play a part. But the most important component is talent, and since everyone gets a crack at those deemed the cream of the crop, the road to the top is paved by late-round or undrafted finds sprinkled around the top picks. The current Bills roster has a number of the long shots – undrafted players Fred Jackson, Corey McIntyre and Spencer Johnson should be added to the previous list – but they’ve missed so badly on their top picks, it’s all for naught.’

‘This one wasn’t just pulled away from the Bills once. That wouldn’t be good enough. Twice, they had it yanked from their grasp.’

Ravens avoid embarrassing loss, beat Bills 37-34 in OT (Baltimore Sun)

Reed returns, even as Ravens’ secondary regresses (Baltimore Sun)

After win vs. Bills, Ravens really need a break (Baltimore Sun)

Ravens Super Bowl team returns, ready to suit up and play (Baltimore Sun)

Heap scores 2 TDs in first game since Meriweather’s hit (Baltimore Sun)

Mike Preston’s Ravens report card, Ravens 37, Bills 34, OT (Baltimore Sun)

Photo gallery (Baltimore Sun)

Ravens escape with narrow victory in overtime (Carroll County Times)

Reed returns, picks off two passes (Carroll County Times)

Champs return home (Carroll County Times)

Fitzgerald torches secondary (Carroll County Times)

Ravens Report Card (Carroll County Times)

Photo gallery (Carroll County Times)

Ravens give up a lot, but score even more (Wilmington News Journal)

Ravens outlast pesky Bills (Hanover Evening Sun)

Ravens Survive Buffalo Upset Bid, 37-34 (CSN Baltimore)

The ‘Real’ Ed Reed Returns (CSN Baltimore)

For Heap, Agony and Ecstacy (CSN Baltimore)

Ravens-Bills Instant Analysis (CSN Baltimore)

Ravens-Buffalo Postgame Notes (CSN Baltimore)

Ravens squeak past Bills in OT 37-34 (MASN)

To Ravens, a sloppy win is still a win (MASN)

Reed on his return: “It was beautiful” (MASN)

Pass defense gets ripped to shreads (MASN)

Game Recap – Bills vs Ravens (BaltimoreRavens.com)

Reed Makes Classic Return (BaltimoreRavens.com)

Postgame Transcript – Week 7 vs. Bills (BaltimoreRavens.com)

Photo gallery (BaltimoreRavens.com)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo gallery (AP)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

‘However the Bills were undone by four turnovers, and two miscues bridging halftime were largely responsible for their demise.’

‘Billy Cundiff kicked a 38-yard field goal with 10:57 left in overtime after Ray Lewis stripped the ball from tight end Shawn Nelson, and the Baltimore Ravens squeezed past the winless Buffalo Bills 37-34 Sunday.’

‘Maybin, the 11th overall pick out of Penn State in 2009, has not started this season and had only six tackles in Buffalo’s first five games.’

‘After Carolina’s narrow win over San Francisco earlier Sunday, Buffalo is the lone winless squad in the NFL.’

‘Despite the bad second half start, the Bills played resilient. Fitzpatrick connected with Lee Evans for a 17-yard touchdown at the 5:46 mark in the fourth. Late in the game, Fitzpatrick led the team downfield to set-up a 50-yard Rian Lindell field goal to tie the game 34-34 with :04 left in the fourth quarter.’