I don’t think there can be any doubt in any Buffalo Bills’ fan’s mind that this team is trying its’ hardest each week to win a game, but after dropping another 3-point heartbreaker, 22-19, to the Chicago Bears, and falling to 0-8, the prospect of an 0-16 season is a harsh reality. The problem now is that the Bills will be facing a similar situation each week that an unbeaten team faces. Just as every opponent of an unbeaten team raises its’ level of play because they want the glory of beating that team, every Bills’ opponent from here on out will be highly motivated not to wind up in the embarrassing spot of being the winless team’s first victim.
As for Sunday’s game, the annual “home” game in Toronto’s Rogers Centre, the script was similar to the last 2 games, both overtime losses. On the positive side, the offense continued to be somewhat productive. They outgained the Bears, had more first downs, and converted 10 of 16 on third down against the Bears’ defense, which came into the game ranked #1 in the NFL in stopping opponents on 3rd down. The team isn’t lighting up the scoreboard like they did in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago, but they ARE scoring touchdowns, not settling for field goals like they often did in the Dick Jauron era, when they get opportunities. The defense again showed gradual improvement. On the line, Kyle Williams is playing at a Pro Bowl level, and Spencer Johnson made some plays also. Even the linebackers played better, as Chris Kelsay probably had his best game of the year, and youngsters Arthur Moats and Antonio Coleman made their presence felt.
On the negative side, the offense turned the ball over too many times once again, and those turnovers were the main reason the team lost this time. The running game was stuffed by the Bears’ defense, and usually reliable Fred Jackson contributed to the turnovers with a fumble. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is doing a good job of directing the attack for the most part, but if this team is going to win somewhere down the line, he HAS to eliminate the interceptions. The defense played better but at the same time, the Bears’ offensive line has been pathetic all season. They gave up 9 sacks in the first half, and got QB Jay Cutler knocked out with a concussion in a game against the Giants earlier in the season, and have struggled all year. Yet the Bills didn’t put much pressure on Cutler, and he had one of his better games of the year. The Bills blitzed a lot to try to get to him, but didn’t get there often. Bryan Scott, a player who I have always liked because he seems to make plays when he gets his chances to play, dropped 2 sure interceptions. Those missed opportunities usually are the difference between winning and losing with a team that has little margin for error like the Bills. On the other hand, it’s a positive that he was actually in position to make plays on the ball, something Bills’ defenders haven’t done much of this season.
Next up for Buffalo are the much-improved Detroit Lions, who almost upset the Jets on Sunday. Only 2 seasons ago they were in the position the Bills are now. They did the unthinkable and finished 0-16, and certainly will be in no mood to be the Bills’ first victim.