Archives for December 2, 2013

‘If you compare the atmosphere at a Bills game in Orchard Park and the annual Toronto game, it’s like day and night. The Orchard Park crowd is firmly behind the Bills. The Toronto crowd? Their biggest cheers of the game — a game the Bills were leading early and lost in overtime — came for an idiot who ran onto the field. Heck, boos rained down when calls went against the Falcons!’

‘"I didn’t take anybody’s seat. I still have my tickets,” he said with a chuckle, teasing “all the great things that happened there for Toronto and that’s the thing you focus on?”‘

‘Don’t pretend anything but the fumbles by Stevie Johnson and Scott Chandler are worth remembering. Those plays will identify this game and this season for many, putting both in the realm of “We had it, but …” Veterans like these two cannot make plays like that in key moments.’

‘You’d think after 13 straight non playoff seasons, staring down the barrel of another one wouldn’t hurt that much. For me, losing to Atlanta would’ve been bad enough. The Toronto/Bon Jovi factor has me feeling like pulling the covers up over my head and hoping that the bogeyman goes away.’

‘For the first time in 2013 Atlanta allowed six sacks in a game and Buffalo’s defense under Mike Pettine has propelled past teams of Buffalo’s past. The team has more sacks in 12 games than it did in an entire season since 2004 when the defense racked up 45 sacks under Jerry Gray.’

‘To Falcons safety William Moore, the game could have been played in Atlanta what with the domed atmosphere and the fact that many in attendance were wearing Falcon jerseys. "The crazy part is we had a lot of support here," Moore said, noting he even saw someone wearing his No. 25 jersey. "It didn’t feel like we were in Canada."’

‘The announced crowd of 38,969 was short of the stadium’s 46,470 capacity, not including suites. And the fans that did show up weren’t all supporting the "home" team. Aside from a large contingent of Falcons supporters, fans were spotted wearing a wide array of jerseys, including the Cowboys, Steelers, Patriots and even one Jaguars’ supporter.’

‘”This one hurts,” said Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso. “A lot of guys left some plays out there, including myself.”‘

‘Spiller said his ankle was “fine” after the game, but he was noticeably limping at times.’

‘”I didn’t get no explanation,” Williams said. “The refs never even gave me an answer every time I asked them a question, so honestly you’ve got to ask the refs on that call, because I’m still wondering what my penalty was. I guess illegal contact, but how can it be illegal contact when I’m on the opposite side of the field?”‘

‘The Bills blew an early 14-0 lead. They fell behind by seven, scored twice to go back ahead by a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Then they allowed the Falcons to tie it late in regulation, thanks to two penalty calls on their secondary. The calls were borderline, of course. No Bills collapse is complete without blaming the officiating in some fashion.’

‘Instead, he was calm and matter of fact. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t question the man above. Yes, he was disappointed knowing he played a role in the loss. Yes, it was yet another frustrating defeat. But he’s also had some practice in explaining away losses over the past six years and kept his composure afterward.’

‘Buffalo’s 12th Man, valued enough by the Bills to put him on the Wall of Fame, sat this one out. The Bills are 1-5 here.’

‘Atlanta’s tying TD came after Nickell Robey was called for pass interference in the end zone on an incomplete pass. Both he and the receiver jostled. It wasn’t a foul. The officials missed an illegal formation call on the Falcons on the play before the winning kick. Both receivers to the left of the formation were lined up on the same yard line.’