The Bills did exactly what they needed to do last night. Win ugly. The Steelers had won 8 out of their last 10 games and had the crowd behind them. In the last 20 years the Bills teams would crumble under the national stage but not this team they came through in the end even though throughout the game I’m sure many including myself saw the game as a repeat of years past and thought for sure the old Bills would show up and find a way to lose. The Bills are back in the playoffs for the second time in three years and I don’t think any team wants to face them as long as the defense keeps playing the way it has been.
The Good:
John Brown - he came up with several big catches including the 40 yarder to set up the go ahead score. Steelers have one of the best secondaries in the league and he came through.
Defense - the entire defense balled out last night. Forcing 5 turnovers and making Duck Hodges look like what he is which is an undrafted rookie. This unit will have to carry the team to make a postseason run. Exciting and fun group to watch.
Offensive line - Overall against a top unit that likes to blitz the line had a nice bounce back game. They opened up some nice running lanes for Singletary.
The Good/Bad
Singletary - He has all the tools to be a top back and had several nice runs but hold on to the ball. His second fumble almost gave me a stroke.
Josh Allen - He made some good throws and finally connected on a deep pass which I know we all have been waiting for. However he missed several easy throws and was inaccurate throughout the night. It was a mixed night for him but will need him to be better in the playoffs.
The Bad
Beasley - Had a big drop on the first drive. It would of been a tough diving catch but one that the player we picked up for key 3rd down chain moving plays needs to make. The interception off his finger tips was a tough play and not all on him but once again hit his hands and he needs to come down with it. After that he for the most part disappeared. Need better out of him going forward.
Coaching - The saying you play to win the games could not be more true. I am torn on the last 2 minutes of the half as you don’t want to turn the ball over but with 3 timeouts do you give it a shot to get down the field? They went into a 7 minute try to kill the clock offense with 3 consecutive runs called and were to conservative the final quarter. McDermott lacked the killer instinct they need to put teams away. Daboll just needs to go. His play calling is a consistent concern. First and goal from the 10 and he runs off tackle without Gore, attempts a half back pass for a loss and then a draw for a loss. I said at that time that may have been the worst play calling I have ever seen on first and goal.
Officiating - The phantom holding call at the end of the game on an inside dive gave the Steelers an extra 40 seconds. The face mask on Edmunds is a mind blowing call that the official was out of position to make. I am a firm believer that the NFL should have the ability from New York to overturn the officials calls when they are blatantly wrong.
Playoffs here we come. Now let’s beat the Pats
