Archives for December 11, 2017

‘”We weren’t even standing on the field,” Davis said. “We were standing on top of the snow. And I’m putting my hand down on ice. I’m like, ‘I don’t even know how I’m going to come off the ball against this tight end and this tackle.’ I remember a few times out there I wasn’t even in a three-point stance. I was standing up because I felt like I was better equipped, had better leverage just standing up and then coming off the ball.”‘

‘Roughly eight inches of snow fell during the game, according to Major. The Bills, taking their cues from the NFL and the officiating crew, assembled a team of 20 men with gas-powered blowers to clear the yard lines and hash marks before the game and during each break in the action. Still, players had to use their feet to clear the spot from where kicks were attempted.’

‘Instead of playing a big role in the victory, Webb was nearly the main reason for what would have been a damaging loss. He made a poor pass intended for tight end Charles Clay that was intercepted by Chiefs safety Matthias Farley with 52 seconds left in regulation. The Colts, however, couldn’t capitalize on the takeaway when Adam Vinatieri’s 43-yard field goal missed wide left with 1 second left.’

‘History suggested he was due. McCoy has a thing for the snow. In 2013, with the Eagles, he played in a similar snow game against the Lions. He broke the Philly rushing record with 217 yards that day, including two long TD runs in a 34-20 win over the Lions. That game also occurred in Week 14 and helped Philadelphia sneak into the playoffs.’

‘”Through the highs and lows, we were able to keep our focus,” Taylor said. “There were so many ups and downs in the game. It just so happened that it was toward the end of the game. I have tremendous confidence in the guys in that locker room. Today, they went out and played their hearts out.”‘

‘”What better place to play against probably the best of all-time, one of the great clutch players this game has known,” Hauschka said at his locker stall, “than here in the snow?”‘

‘“It was wild. Obviously you can’t really prepare for that,” said Schmidt, who used several Aussie-style punts. “That was by far the craziest weather I’ve played in here. It’s one of those things that, especially coming here, you know that those types of games can happen. You almost dream of them and embrace them because they’re so wild and crazy and out of the ordinary. It was awesome.”’

‘McCoy finished with 156 yards on 32 carries, giving him an average of 4.9 yards per rush. He handled the slippery conditions better than anyone on the field, something he also had done as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.’

‘Those in attendance will have an incredible story to tell. The snow accumulating in feet was one thing, but the utterly bananas number of wild plays at the end of the game made this one extra, uh, special.’

‘”That was the hardest kick because at least the hashes were semi-scraped off, Schmidt said. “But in the end zone there was like a foot and a half of snow. I know when I kicked the ball I had to kick through some snow. That was weird.”‘

‘Thompson beat cornerback Kenny Moore down the right sideline. The pass from Webb was a tad behind him, but Thompson leaped and snatched the ball out of the air, despite the fact Moore grabbed his midsection, drawing a pass interference penalty.’

‘Sean McDermott’s decision to punt on fourth and 1 at the Colts’ 41-yard with 4:13 left in overtime was an abomination. Yes, the defense got a stop and the Bills were able to get the winning points, but the amount of things that had to go right for that to happen is a lot more difficult than getting 3 feet. A tie would have basically eliminated the Bills from the playoff race, and that looked like what McDermott was coaching for. Think back to the Week 4 win in Atlanta, when the defense had 10 guys on the field for a crucial play at the end of the game, and McDermott has been extremely lucky to have had things go his way in those games. He would be taking an avalanche of criticism if those plays turned out differently. Having Webb throw as much as he did in regulation also is easy to second guess.’

‘The Colts went for the two-point conversion to win the game and connected, but an offensive pass interference penalty on former Buffalo Bill Kamar Aiken moved the ball back and forced a 43-yard extra point, which Adam Vinatieri squeaked through.’

‘Peterman dove head-first on a keeper and was hit by linebacker Antonio Morrison and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins as he went to the ground. Teammates immediately called for trainers and a brief shoving match ensued. There was no foul called on the hit.’

‘Fourth-down woes: The Bills, who did not play for field position in the first half, failed on another fourth-down conversion in the second quarter. They tried to throw both times, with the pass hitting the receiver in the hands before falling incomplete each time.’

‘Passing plays were especially difficult, with Nathan Peterman’s first throw going directly through Kelvin Benjamin’s hands and Charles Clay failing to hold onto Joe Webb’s fourth-down pass. Peterman did have one completion to Benjamin for 9 yards, but the Colts didn’t attempt a pass.’

‘I’m going to get it started with just, again, appreciation with the fans sticking it out to support us through this type of weather. Buffalo weather, right? Good to get a win at home. Again, appreciation and a thanks, big time thanks, to all the people that contributed to getting this stadium ready to play. I’m sure it was a big challenge and then also the grounds crew for keeping the field playable in this type of weather. The staff did a good job adjusting throughout the game to the conditions, the conditions that were out there.’

‘“We’ve never been to Buffalo,” Rollyson said in the snowy New Era Field parking lot. “We basically wanted to experience the elements that Buffalo is known for.”’

‘The outer reaches of the stadium lots were nearly empty as late as 11 a.m. The fans who did make it to the game trudged through un-shoveled snow where the sidewalks were supposed to be along Southwestern Boulevard, and tailgaters warmed themselves beside small fires next to their cars and trucks.’

‘Running back Jay Ajayi tormented the Bills last season, rushing for 214 and 206 yards in two games against Buffalo. The second game was the Christmas Eve meltdown that ended up being Rex Ryan’s final game in Buffalo. But Ajayi no longer plays for the Dolphins: They traded him to the Eagles just before the trade deadline, getting only a fourth-round pick in return.’