Archives for December 2013

‘The Bills are 1-5 during the “Bills in Toronto” series in the Rogers Centre, a game that has traditionally meant a friendlier, warmer late-season climate for the opposition. This time the loss stings even more, essentially eliminating Buffalo’s hopes for a playoff spot for the 14th straight season, extending the NFL’s longest active streak.’

‘At least four Toronto police officers and several stadium security staff were at the entrance to the VIP section where Ford had an aisle seat. They tried to keep fans from approaching for photos and handshakes.’

‘Buffalo took over at its 24-yard line and was driving when E.J. Manuel hit Stevie Johnson with a completion. But Johnson was stripped of the ball and it was recovered by Moore, allowing the Falcons to run out the clock and create the first-ever overtime game in the Bills Toronto Series.’

‘”I thought the crowd today was good. They were on our side,” Marrone said of the announced attendance of 38,969 who were treated to an entertaining back-and-forth NFL game. “They were giving us the boost that we needed. They were trying to help us win. I thought the fans in Toronto did a nice job.”‘

‘C.J. Spiller had his best game of the season, totaling 149 yards on 15 carries with a score, while Fred Jackson and E.J. Manuel also had a rushing touchdown for the Bills (4-8), who have lost four of five to fall out of the wild card chase. Manuel went 18-for-32 for 210 yards and a passed for another score.’

‘The Bills were moving down the field on their first possession of overtime, but tight end Scott Chandler was stripped of the ball by Falcons safety William Moore, and the ball was recovered by Atlanta cornerback Robert Alford and advanced to the Bills 47.’

‘QB EJ Manuel continues to progress. He was calm and collected during crunch time, making excellent passes to Stevie Johnson and Scott Chandler. Had those two completions not resulted in fumbles, Manuel probably would have had another victory on his resume.’

‘The Bills got the ball to start the overtime but on the first possession Tight End Scott Chandler fumbled and the Falcons recovered. A completion to Harry Douglas set Atlanta up at the Bills 29 and Matt Bryant knocked home a 36 yard field goal to win it.’

‘The Bills had the game in the bag on three separate occasions, but for whatever reason allowed the Atlanta Falcons to not only get back into the game, but to capture the victory outright.’

‘By the way, lost in those fumbles is the fact that Manuel had moved the team in position to win. On the drive that ended with the Johnson fumble, the Bills had gone 46 yards on six plays in a little over a minute. Manuel connected with Chandler on a huge third and 10 conversion for a 23 yard gain.’

‘The thing I want to talk about is Stevie Johnson. I am done with this guy. For years I was his biggest supporter. When he was a 7th round pick it was obvious he was better than many receivers they had.’

“We had it in our grasp,” said veteran running back Fred Jackson, “and we let it slip away.”‘

‘I refuse to acknowledge Stevie Johnson as a top-flight wide receiver until he contributes a game without 2-3 “pointing-at-the-quarterback-to-tell-him-I-know-that-was-my-fault” moments. The most-glaring error on Sunday was a 3rd down play on the drive after Atlanta took their first lead when a lofted pass down the left side fell between his hands. It wasn’t an easy catch, but elite players do that for you. Can’t get there with him.’

‘This is as crushing a loss as you can imagine. They had several chances to put the game away and several chances to win it once they blew the lead not once but twice. The bottom line is this team is just not ready to be a consistent winnning team. They are still a losing team and a losing franchise and just can’t get over that huge hump that is the size of Mt. Everest. There just doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel.’

‘QB: Grade B-: Not his fault that they lost. He went 18 of 32 for 210 yards and a touchdown run and pass with no picks.’