Archives for September 2014

‘The mistakes were plenty for the Bills, whether it was accuracy issues from their quarterback, poor coverage from their secondary or getting called on 11 penalties for 101 yards. No matter how close the score was at times throughout the game, Buffalo continued to shoot themselves in the foot.’

‘After driving to a touchdown on their only 3rd Quarter possession, the Bills offense stalled out on back to back drives. The first ended with Manuel taking a 17 yard loss on a sack that could’ve been even worse. Manuel fumbled but the Bills recovered and punted. On the next possession Manuel rushed a throw to an open Robert Woods that had big gainer, maybe even long touchdown, written all over it. Manuel sailed the ball behind Woods, who wasn’t expecting the throw that early. At least that is what I’m assuming by the fact that Woods wasn’t even looking for the ball. That drive ended on a failed 4th down attempt. Manuel floated a ball in the general direction of Sammy Watkins but it really wasn’t even close.’

‘His stat line looks respectable for those that only stick to the box score: 23-of-39, 238 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. There are some misleading parts to the numbers that really don’t paint the picture the correct way.’

‘I thought Manuel showed some positive signs in the first two games. Sunday it seemed the Bills were asking too much for him to pull the team back from a 17 point deficit.’

‘A blah performance in a game they could have won. A tough stretch awaits. Two wins in the next three games are probably a must if they want their famine to end.’

‘Thrice in the game, Bills receivers failed to even look for the ball on quick decisions by Manuel. This includes the critical 4th-and-3 with eight minutes to play, when Manuel found Watkins. Watkins, however, didn’t even look for the ball for the second time over the game. Woods had a similar problem on a crossing route.’

‘The Chargers were making many big plays on offense but the biggest one ended the little bit of momentum the Bills had in the first half. Dan Carpenter had just hit a 45 yard field goal to pull the Bills within a touchdown when on the next play from scrimmage. Rivers hit a wide open Malcolm Floyd for 49 yards to set the Chargers up for a late field goal to get their 10 point lead back at the half.’

‘Doug Marrone didn’t seem to have the team prepared for the windy conditions and they came out flat.’

‘After six trips to the red zone in Week 2, Buffalo managed just one trip inside the Chargers’ 20 in Week 3 until the final minute of regulation.’

‘Jackson led the team in rushing and receiving yards with 34 and 78, respectively, in addition to scoring the Bills only touchdown of the day.’

‘Running back Bryce Brown and tight end Chris Gragg are among Buffalo’s inactives. Cornerback Ross Cockrell, linebacker Randell Johnson and offensive linemen Cyril Richardson and Cyrus Kouandjio also won’t play.’

‘"Because the game was in Buffalo, I bet you a lot of money that crowd was as loud as anywhere in the league. The reason for that is simple: They feel like they stepped into a time machine, too."’

‘Brown is penciled in as the starter in place of Keith Rivers, who is inactive for the Bills’ Week 3 game against the San Diego Chargers with a groin injury. A third-round pick out of Louisville, Brown is the only Bills player to play every defensive snap so far this season.’

‘Pick: Bills 27, Chargers 24.’

‘”He deserves a lot of credit. He inherited a Chargers roster with poor depth, a crisis on the offensive line, salary cap issues and little pass rush. He’s since developed the roster to a point I actually have them winning the AFC West this year. Telesco’s been terrific.”‘