Archives for October 19, 2015

'The final stat line looks decent enough. EJ Manuel completed 28 of 42 passes for 263 yards, one touchdown, one interception and the rushing score to start the game … but don’t be fooled. Much of that was in garbage time as the former first-rounder turned routine plays into an odyssey, didn’t see open receivers darting free downfield and, yes, resembled the Manuel of old most of the game.'

'They’re London veterans. The Jaguars will be the “home” team Sunday in Wembley Stadium. The trip overseas will be their third in as many seasons. They haven’t had much luck in the first two, losing to San Francisco and Dallas. Jacksonville, which dropped to 1-5 Sunday with a 31-20 loss to Houston, isn’t leaving for the game until Thursday, as opposed to the Bills, who departed after Sunday’s game against Cincinnati.'

'One of those charged also faces an additional charge of resisting arrest, said Scott E. Zylka, executive assistant to the Sheriff. All three were released on appearance tickets, he said.'

'When Cincinnati took the second-half kickoff and drove 90 yards in eight plays to Dalton's 10-yard TD pass to Marvin Jones, the game was all but over. However, the Bengals kept tacking on as Dalton put together a 12-play, 78-yard drive that ended with his four-yard TD pass to Tyler Eifert, and then Nugent tacked on a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.'

'The thinking was that if the line could win up front, meaning open holes for LeSean McCoy, and protect EJ Manuel, the Bills might be able to extend drives, keep the Bengals offense off the field, and perhaps score enough points to win the game. However, poor field position limited what offensive coordinator Greg Roman could do as Buffalo's average drive start was it's own 15, and not once did it start a drive beyond its own 20.'

'I'd have a better chance explaining Playboy's decision for removing nudity from its magazine than why Ryan, who has built his reputation on taking the fight to the quarterback, dialed down pressure on Dalton and not up. The result was the "Red Rifle'' turning Ryan red-faced.'

'With the offense missing starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) and its two top receivers (Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin) once Watkins left the game with a bad ankle, the Bills needed a lights-out performance by its supposed “elite’’ defense, which was nearly at full strength. It didn’t get it, with Dalton leading scoring drives on six of his first eight possessions to build a 20-point lead.'

'Yet another disappointing performance at home by the Bills, who clearly have lost their home-field advantage at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The only reason this isn't an 'F' is because the Bills are severely depleted on offense, and the Bengals are a very good team, not to mention still undefeated. Win, lose, win, lose, win lose. Same old, same old.'

'A lot went wrong for the Bills, who were playing without starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor and wide receiver Percy Harvin. They were losing the field position battle often and didn't seem to have much of an answer for Cincinnati's offense in the passing game or the running game.'

'Watkins, who had four catches for 48 yards before leaving the game, had just caught a touchdown pass from EJ Manuel when his left ankle rolled up underneath him. He made his way to the locker room early and was spotted in the tunnel with crutches. The Bills officially announced him as questionable to return. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Watkins had sprained his ankle.'

'At times Sunday when the Bills were sending only three players after the quarterback. Dalton was not sacked and was hit only once. That hit came on a safety blitz from Duke Williams.'

'"It's something about playing at home and getting penalties," Bradham said. "I don't know if we get too fired up, or I don't know. Obviously, we've been getting a lot penalties at home, so we have to figure out what's going on with that and get that corrected. We have to win at home, man. That's our advantage. This town deserves it. We as a team deserve to win here. We should have way more wins here."'

'"I think it's affecting everybody's morale, mine included. … You have a vision of what this team can be when we're healthy, and it's just frustrating because you don't have your parts. I know we can compete with anybody, but it just seems like we take a step forward and then we end up taking two steps back.'

'That moment was fleeting. For the rest of the game, Manuel looked like the backup he is. He was far from the reason the Bills got throttled 34-21 by the Bengals, but he also looked like mostly the same quarterback that couldn't hold off Kyle Orton for the starting job a year ago. He missed open receivers, threw inaccurate passes and finished with a mediocre state line of 28-for-42, 263 passing yards, one touchdown passing, one touchdown rushing and an interception.'

'First, though, is that date with the Jaguars, which just about everyone penned in as a win for the Bills when the season opened. Now? The Bills will still be favorited, but just how heavily? Would anyone be shocked if the gimpy offense struggled, the defense wasn’t quite dominant and a special teams mishap or a few key penalties cost the Bills another game?'