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NFL – Bills’ Game Review

07 Dec

The Buffalo Bills’ 24-17 loss to Denver on Sunday afternoon was a heartbreaking one, as the team fought hard but couldn’t make the plays to pull off an upset over a superior opponent. Their defense put on a valiant effort – they intercepted Peyton Manning twice and snapped the future Hall of Famer’s streak of games throwing at least one touchdown pass at 51. Their vaunted pass rush failed to sack Manning, but they certainly contained him enough to have won the game, had the offense been able to produce something beyond the two late touchdown drives that made the final score close. As in most of their losses this year,  the Bills made too many mistakes, didn’t make enough plays and got just enough questionable officiating calls to keep them from winning. In addition to the pair of picks they got from Manning, the Bills also got a turnover on a fumble recovery near the end of the first half, but they had three turnovers of their own to offset the three their defense came up with. As for the officiating, both of Buffalo’s interceptions, by Corey Graham and Stephon Gilmore, featured long returns which were nullified by questionable penalties. In addition, there was a terrible pass interference call against Nickell Robey that kept a Denver drive alive. Not to beat a dead horse, but Buffalo will continue to be disrespected by the league officials until they fight their way out of the losing stigma they have attached to them. The Bronco defense, of course, deserves credit for playing a terrific game in holding the Bills’ offense in check. Their effort, and a strong rushing attack, led the defending AFC champs to victory on a day when Manning was sub-par.

Among the positives for Buffalo to take from the losing effort – they controlled the clock, outgained the Broncos and never quit, as Orton led them on the two late touchdown drives to keep the score close after they fell into a 24-3 hole. Sammy Watkins re-emerged as a potent passing attack weapon, with 7 catches for 127 yards. The loss left the Bills with a 7-6 record, but their playoff hopes, although slim, remain intact as Miami, Cleveland, San Diego and Kansas City all lost. They’ll continue the late-season gauntlet the NFL schedule-makers stuck them with next week when they play their final home game of 2014 against Green Bay.

 
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