THE ROCKPILE REVIEW – I Never Leave Early

[Shaw66]

I never leave games early. Never. (Well, I left Chiefs-Bills at Arrowhead at halftime during the weather delay a few years ago, but that was only because my wimp friend insisted on it.)

 

I was disappointed that Bills fans started pouring out of the stadium in the fourth quarter after the Bills had fallen behind by the Ravens 40-25 on Sunday night, but different people have different points of view, and everyone’s entitled to theirs. The people who sit beside me at Highmark Stadium leave early most games. I don’t get it, but it makes sense to them, so okay.

 

I always want to see what’s going to happen. I want to see the kneeldowns, if that’s what’s coming. I want to see the desperation passes, the onside kicks. I want to see the players meeting on the field after the game. I attend for the entire experience, whatever it is, so I don’t leave early. I don’t leave movies early, no matter how bad, and I don’t leave the theater early, either.

 

Part of me says I owe it to the players to stay. They work incredibly hard to compete in these games, and they deserve an audience. (I know, they get paid to do it, whether I’m there or not. Still, when someone puts on a show for me, I’m going to watch it.)

 

Did I think about leaving the Ravens game?  No, not really, but I can say this: If I weren’t the kind of person who stays to the end, no matter how miserable the performance is, I would have been out the door after the magnificent Derrick Henry did his magic against the Bills again. My impression of the game to that point was that the Bills were fortunate to be only 15 points behind. Up to that, point the game felt like the score should have been 60-25. It seemed the Ravens were dominating.

 

In truth, statistically, the game was pretty even. It was two special quarterbacks running two good offenses, with two pretty good defenses trying to figure out how to survive. The Ravens had had the better of it, throwing haymaker after haymaker. It was exciting, explosive football. Still, it felt like the Bills were being smoked, and although the Bills might score 15 in the last 10 minutes, it didn’t seem likely that the Ravens were done scoring.

 

I knew, of course, that the Bills had a chance. Miracles happen all the time in the NFL. But to tell the truth, sometime in the third quarter I thought it was over. Every time I thought about the Bills mounting a comeback, I thought, “No, it’s over.” Why? Because the Bills just didn’t look very good. They couldn’t convert a two-point conversion. They couldn’t execute a quarterback sneak. They were close only because they got a gift touchdown on a desperation pass that was deflected and then caught by Keon Coleman, diving in the end zone. The Bills were close despite themselves.

 

I tried to talk myself into having some hope. I reminded myself that McDermott stocks his team with players who never quit. I reminded myself that he trains his players to win the second half, and especially to win the fourth quarter. I remined myself that we had 17. Nothing worked. I thought it was over.

 

When did I think they might actually win? Briefly after the touchdown got them to 40-38, but that hope disappeared almost immediately when they didn’t get the two point conversion to tie the game. I thought the chances the Ravens would go three and out were pretty slim. They’d punted only twice in the game.

 

When did I think the Bills might actually win? When the Ravens were 3rd and 9 and there was more than a minute and a half left on the clock. That was literally the first time the possibility of winning came into my head and stayed there. I’d spent the previous hour thinking the game was over.

 

Then Benford made the tackle on Hopkins, the Ravens’ punt bounced out of bounds, and I thought, “The Bills are going to win! THE BILLS ARE GOING TO WIN!”

 

The final drive was magnificent. Josh Allen was masterful. As the commentators always say, the first first down is critical. Josh took an easy six yards over the middle to open the series, and the Bills were rolling. Easy sideline throw to Coleman for the first down. A gorgeous throw to Palmer, perfect, and then back to Coleman, and the Bills were ready to kick the game-winner.

 

What was best moment in the game? The moments after it ended. People clapped and cheered and screamed, and they didn’t stop. The noise just kept coming and coming for three or four or five minutes, maybe ten minutes. Why did that happen? Because for the previous hour, we’d all been sitting there believing it was over, believing there was no hope. People weren’t even standing or singing along with the Shout song after scores. And then, after all of the agony all, it was bang, bang, bang, field goal, game over. We couldn’t stop cheering.

 

Who gets game balls? Prater, of course, and Allen, of course, and Oliver, of course. Big Ed made us believe when he bear-hugged Henry for a big tackle-for-loss. And he showed the way to the win when he stripped Henry for the only takeaway in the game that mattered. (Josh’s INT on the conversion attempt wasn’t the kind of takeaway that can change a game.)

 

And a game ball for McDermott. Remember when fans used to complain about McDermott’s game management? Not Sunday night. He knew when to go for two and when to go for one. He managed the timeouts perfectly. His team used every second on the clock to get three points to end the first half, and they used every second on the clock to kick the game winner and deny the Ravens any chance of coming back. His philosophy of stopping the pass even if it means the Bills run defense is gashed proved, again, to be a winning strategy. And his never-say-die attitude carried the Bills to the win.

 

1-0.

 

GO BILLS!!!

 

The Rockpile Review is written to share the passion we have for the Buffalo Bills. That passion was born in the Rockpile; its parents were everyday people of western New York who translated their dedication to a full day’s hard work and simple pleasures into love for a pro football team.

[CA OC Bills Fan]

I hate to admit it, but I left☹️ The last Henry touchdown did me in. I said to my friend, "Let's what the next Bills drive, but even if they score, let's leave, the Bills just can't stop them." Then, the pass that was initially called an interception happened. Even though the replay came before we were out of our aisle, we still said "screw it" and were out of there.

 

By the way, I DID stay to the end of the Houston comeback game, so this is the first time I've made this major mistake.

 

It's quite depressing that I missed it. I flew from CA, arrived at my father's in Rochester at 11 PM Saturday night, got back from the game around 1:30 AM Sunday, and my Uber picked me up at 5 AM. Was in town for 30 hours just for the game, and then I blew seeing the end of an epic! 

 

And, although I was honest about leaving with all my friends and family, I lied to those at work, the strangers I saw in the airport, and told my wife to lie to her coworkers! I'll take my lumps with those I know (and anyone who may respond to this post), but refuse to take the xxxx (and pity) from coworkers or others!

[Shaw66]

5 minutes ago, CA OC Bills Fan said:

I hate to admit it, but I left☹️ The last Henry touchdown did me in. I said to my friend, "Let's what the next Bills drive, but even if they score, let's leave, the Bills just can't stop them." Then, the pass that was initially called an interception happened. Even though the replay came before we were out of our aisle, we still said "screw it" and were out of there.

 

By the way, I DID stay to the end of the Houston comeback game, so this is the first time I've made this major mistake.

 

It's quite depressing that I missed it. I flew from CA, arrived at my father's in Rochester at 11 PM Saturday night, got back from the game around 1:30 AM Sunday, and my Uber picked me up at 5 AM. Was in town for 30 hours just for the game, and then I blew seeing the end of an epic! 

 

And, although I was honest about leaving with all my friends and family, I lied to those at work, the strangers I saw in the airport, and told my wife to lie to her coworkers! I'll take my lumps with those I know (and anyone who may respond to this post), but refuse to take the xxxx (and pity) from coworkers or others!

This is classic!  Thanks for your honesty about it. Love it!

 

At a sports bar Sunday afternoon, I sat next to a guy who had flown in from CA just for the game. He was waiting for ticket prices to fall before he bought his. I've been wondering for two days now whether he stayed or left. 

[KCNC]

Agree on everything except the 2-point conversions.  Sean took points off the board on the first one in order to try for 2.  He has done this before and it drives me crazy.  Leave the points on the board!

[Shaw66]

1 minute ago, KCNC said:

Agree on everything except the 2-point conversions.  Sean took points off the board on the first one in order to try for 2.  He has done this before and it drives me crazy.  Leave the points on the board!

It's the new NFL.  The aggressive play, especially in a game where the opponent is a scoring machine, is to for it after penalty. 

[KCNC]

1 minute ago, Shaw66 said:

It's the new NFL.  The aggressive play, especially in a game where the opponent is a scoring machine, is to for it after penalty. 

That's cool and everything.  But the Bills don't exactly have a great record of successful 2 point attempts.  At least as far as my old brain can remember.

[Shortchaz]

I don’t see the issue with leaving a game early. People have things to do and don’t want to waste time watching a beat down. The people whose value system is such that: staying in a stadium for an extra twenty minutes and sitting in traffic for an extra hour for the insanely low chance they witness a game one win is worth it are not better people. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Shortchaz

[Shaw66]

1 minute ago, Shortchaz said:

I don’t see the issue with leaving a game early. People have things to do and don’t want to waste time watching a beat down. The people whose value system is such that staying in a stadium for an extra twenty minutes and sitting in traffic for an extra hour for the insanely low chance they witness a game one win is worth it are not better people. 

I agree. I didn't say there was anything wrong with people leaving. I wish they wouldn't, because I'd like the stadium to be full to support the team, but it isn't for me to tell people whether they should stay or go. 

[Artful Dodger]

7 minutes ago, KCNC said:

Agree on everything except the 2-point conversions.  Sean took points off the board on the first one in order to try for 2.  He has done this before and it drives me crazy.  Leave the points on the board!

Yes, and if you fail to convert the first conversion, you're always playing catchup on future extra points which is what the Bills did all night.  They're lucky it didn't cost them the game.  Other than that, McDermott did a fine job of game management.  

[Shaw66]

4 minutes ago, KCNC said:

That's cool and everything.  But the Bills don't exactly have a great record of successful 2 point attempts.  At least as far as my old brain can remember.

I agree - they don't. But the only way they will learn to be better is by working at it. It's something that needs to be in the arsenal, and when it's time to go for it, they need to go for it.  JMO

[strive_for_five_guy]

I’m really hoping Oliver is ready to put together an All Pro type season and act the Aaron Donald / Chris Jones game wrecker role this season

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

Honestly, it was an embarrassment as a fan that people left early. I guess it’s easier for me to say because I watched on TV, but down 15 points with 3 time outs and ample time on the clock ? I don’t care how bad the defense is playing. 

Edited 3 hours ago by ChronicAndKnuckles

[Shaw66]

7 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

I’m really hoping Oliver is ready to put together an All Pro type season and act the Aaron Donald / Chris Jones game wrecker role this season

I've never seen him as being that kind of guy, but Sunday night could have been the beginning of his ascendancy. NBC showed him on the sideline, I think during the Bills last touchdown drive, before the three-and-out, and he looked seriously dialed in. 

[Fleezoid]

Thanks for that. I too am one that doesn't leave early. I also don't begrudge anyone that leaves. Some people can't stand the traffic. I understand that. But for me, we pay a lot to attend games, so I'm getting my money's worth. Plus, we drive to the game in traffic, tailgate for 2-3 hours, walk in the stadium early, then watch a 3 hour game. If it takes 2 hours to get home, so be it. 

[GottaRun]

I left, it was 11pm, I was exhausted, and it's 90 - 120 minutes to walk to my car/drive home.  Happy for those who stayed, don't get the hate for the ones who left.  Clearly the team noticed people leaving and it annoyed them.  Clearly the results improved when we left.  We'll never know if the leavers made a difference or if the Bills D was due some successes and they finally got them.

Edited 3 hours ago by GottaRun

[CA OC Bills Fan]

47 minutes ago, KCNC said:

Agree on everything except the 2-point conversions.  Sean took points off the board on the first one in order to try for 2.  He has done this before and it drives me crazy.  Leave the points on the board!

I'm undecided on this. The one thing I'm 100% confident of however was that it was a horrible play call if we're going for it (I'm talking about the first one). I said this at the time and I heard the same thing said on either the Shout or Locked on Bills podcasts (I think it was Shout). If Josh is going from shotgun with an empty backfield, why did the penalty to bring it one yard closer change to go for it or not?

 

I do agree that going for it and missing leads to a need to chase points. Biggest example of this that I remember was the Carolina / Patriots Super Bowl of several years ago. Carolina went for two, missed it, and then continued to go for two later because of it. They never made them just like the Bills didn't on Sunday and partially led to their loss.

[2003Contenders]

55 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

It's the new NFL.  The aggressive play, especially in a game where the opponent is a scoring machine, is to for it after penalty. 

I get that on the first one. I can see the logic of leaving the points on the board -- or trying to get the extra point once the ball was moved to the one-yard line. That one is truly debatable, and I can respect the decision he made at that time.

 

Obviously, he had no choice but to go for 2 on the final one when the score was 40-38. Honestly, when we didn't convert that one, I was fearful that it was eerily similar comeuppance after Mark Andrews' drop on the 2-point conversion in the playoff game!

 

The one I take issue with is the 2nd one, when we were down by 9. I think part of the weighing of risk vs reward has to be what happens if you DON'T convert the 2-point try. That is why I would always wait until you really HAVE to get the 2 points over the more sure-thing in the extra point.  I am sure that McD's thought was that you know that you have to get that 2-point conversion at SOME point, so he elected to do it then to put the team within 7. However, by not making it, the team was still down by 9 -- making it a two possession game. If they kick the extra point there (and assuming that Prater makes it), they are down by 8, still potentially a 1-possession game. Given that they failed on that later 2-point conversion, I guess this doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. LOL

 

In a weird way, maybe the failed 2-point conversions may have played to the Bills' favor. Assuming they kicked extra points on all three of those TDs rather than the failed 2-point conversions, presumably they would have been up by a point rather than down by 2 after that last TD. (I know scoring decisions on the part of the Ravens may have changed too based on the Bills' having done things differently.) As we saw, the Bills D did what they needed to do to get the ball back when the Ravens were in kill-the-clock/preserve-the-lead mode on offense. I wonder how differently things may have been if they got the ball back, down by a point with plenty of time and all 3 timeouts just needing a FG to win?

[Success]

Watching from home, one of the more fun parts was right after the fumble - the crowd just went nuts.  It felt like such a quiet game to that point, and w/ that one play, everyone there was all in.  That really gave it a feeling of "okay, we've got this now."

 

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, KCNC said:

Agree on everything except the 2-point conversions.  Sean took points off the board on the first one in order to try for 2.  He has done this before and it drives me crazy.  Leave the points on the board!

 

That and I also didn't like punting on 4th and 3 on our second drive. Yes we hadn't even gotten to midfield yet but you have to know what type of game you're in. We had run three rushing plays in a row, to me if you're going to do that then you have to go for it on 4th and short and give Allen a chance. Instead we punted, Baltimore ripped off an easy TD drive, and we were chasing that lost possession for the rest of the game.

 

But overall I thought McDermott's game management was quite good. The end of both halves were managed and executed to perfection and he absolutely deserves credit for that.

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 hours ago, CA OC Bills Fan said:

I hate to admit it, but I left☹️ The last Henry touchdown did me in. I said to my friend, "Let's what the next Bills drive, but even if they score, let's leave, the Bills just can't stop them." Then, the pass that was initially called an interception happened. Even though the replay came before we were out of our aisle, we still said "screw it" and were out of there.

 

By the way, I DID stay to the end of the Houston comeback game, so this is the first time I've made this major mistake.

 

It's quite depressing that I missed it. I flew from CA, arrived at my father's in Rochester at 11 PM Saturday night, got back from the game around 1:30 AM Sunday, and my Uber picked me up at 5 AM. Was in town for 30 hours just for the game, and then I blew seeing the end of an epic! 

 

And, although I was honest about leaving with all my friends and family, I lied to those at work, the strangers I saw in the airport, and told my wife to lie to her coworkers! I'll take my lumps with those I know (and anyone who may respond to this post), but refuse to take the xxxx (and pity) from coworkers or others!

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry I had to 🙂