At halftime, the Buffalo Bills’ head coach pulled aside his first-year kicker, Jake Arians, and told him what was going to happen later that night. “Jake,” Williams told the kicker who had missed two field goals in the first half, “you’re going to win this ballgame for us.”
BillsBeat - October 19, 2001
Bills are on the board
‘Boy, did Rob Johnson ever need this.’
Johnson finally delivers against Jags
‘And most vitally, he looked like a real leader.’
NFL rules in favor of Phillips in contract dispute with Bills
‘"I was expecting it and I’m glad it’s finally done," said Phillips from his home in Austin, Texas.’
Bills report card
‘All those seasons coaching for Tennessee against Jacksonville in the AFC Central paid off for Gregg Williams, who earned his first career win. Had a strong game plan to find the openings in Jaguars’ secondary and defensively juggled his lineup to create a spark. He and his staff were rewarded for nine tireless months on the job.’
Beat up and down
‘"It’s a low point for me personally, professionally and every other way," coach Tom Coughlin said.’
Crowd boos Brunell
‘Mark Brunell’s head was ringing again last night. Only this time, it was from the boos.’
Defensive turnaround
‘"We did our job tonight," cornerback Ken Irvin said. "The last couple of games, the defense hasn’t been doing what they were told to do. We were able to regroup after they scored their only touchdown, whereas sometimes in the past we would crumble."’
Jaguars' play deserved to be blacked out
‘While the rest of the nation was able to watch the Jaguars and Bills on ESPN, people in Jacksonville got a black screen. As it turned out, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.’
Who let air out of passing attack?
‘Brunell attempted 26 passes against the Bills and only two — both on the team’s lone touchdown drive — gained at least 15 yards.’
Jaguars notebook
‘The Bills came in threatening the NFL record for fewest sacks in a season, but the Jaguars made them look like a collection of Bruce Smiths last night. Buffalo had just five sacks combined in its first four games, all of them losses. The Bills nearly matched their season total in the first half alone against Jacksonville, sacking Mark Brunell twice before intermission. Buffalo didn’t stop there, though, adding two more sacks in the second half.’
To Bullet, with love
‘Walk-up ticket sales were down last night compared to the previously blacked-out game at Alltel Stadium when Cleveland came to town. About 700 walk-up tickets were sold, said Jaguars Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bill Prescott. About 2,000 walk-up tickets were sold before the Browns game, which was played during the afternoon.’
Game report
‘Turning Point – Early in the fourth quarter, with the Jaguars trailing 10-7, they lined up for a 27-yard field goal. Holder Chris Hanson couldn’t handle a high snap from Joe Zelenka and it resulted in a 26-yard loss. Though the Jaguars wound up tying the game later, the missed three points proved to be a difference-maker in the end.’
Bills break into the win column
The Buffalo Bills broke a four-game losing streak with a last-minute, 46-yard, clutch kick by Jake Arians to down the Jacksonville Jaguars, 13-10. Arians had previously missed two field goal attempts out of three earlier in the game, but he came through to lift the spirits of the Bills with his dramatic finish.
Buffalo finally finds victory vs. Jaguars
Week 6 gets off to an early start, and the Bills get into the win column with a 13-10 victory over the hapless Jaguars. Buffalo QB Rob Johnson leads a fourth-quarter drive that culminates in Jake Arians go-ahead field goal with 1:03 to play. Travares Tillman’s interception seals the victory