Bills: Blackout in Effect

The NFL knows how to market its product and on this Sunday the NFL did not broadcast the 0-4 Buffalo Bills to a national audience. The opponent was not too much better in the Jacksonville Jaguars at 2-2, led by the second least known quarterback in the league in David Garrard. The game had some build-up as recent Buffalo Bills starting QB Trent Edwards was now backing up Garrard in Jacksonville. The Bills surprisingly put up some stats in the first quarter. Ryan Fitzpatrick connected with Lee Evans for a 45 yard score early and a field goal gave the Bills a 10-0 lead. By the end of the quarter the Bills led 10-3. Running backs Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller seemed ready to fill the hole left by the trade of Marshawyn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks who now might make a NFC title run. But the NFC news of the week was the trade of Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings, watch out for the Vikes.

The Bills led 10-3 after the first quarter and extended their lead to 10, but then Garrard and Mercedes Lewis connected on a passing TD and the Jags added a Field Goal to tie the game at 13 by halftime. Despite two turnovers by the Jags, the game was pretty evenly played. The Bills had 14:59 in possession time and the Jags had 15:01. Fitzpatrick was 8/12 for 92 yards and one TD in the first half, Garrard was even more proficient, early in the second half he was 10/12 for 113, two TD passes and an interception. The second TD pass to WR Mercedes Lewis for a 27 yard reception, his second of the day. The Jags ahead 20-13. The Bills have made a bad habit out of playing from behind and today the early momentum did not last and the Bills were in the same situation again. How would the Bills respond this time? The Bills scored soon thereafter tying the game on a Fitzpatrick 5 yard TD toss to Steve Johnson. Fred Johnson had 75 yards rushing late in the third quarter but he did not have to contain Garrard who carved up the Bills for 15/18, 168 yard and three TD passes after a 7 yard pass to Sims-Walker on a 9 play drive. This is David Garrard, the second least known quarterback in the league and he looked like Steve Young against the Bills defence. The Bills have had their issues of late but their defence has been consistently bad for the past two seasons. The Bills trailed 27-20 after three.

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Jags Kicker Josh Scobee was successful on a 34 yard field goal attempt, padding the Jags lead to 10. The Scobee show continued as he hit another 40 yard attempt on the Jags next possession. Another 40 yard plus score soon afterward and the Jags suddenly led 36-20. WR Steve Johnson had his second TD reception of the afternoon but it was too little too late. The Bills lose another one, 36-26. Fitzpatrick had good numbers this day, 20/30 with 3 TD’s and no turnovers yet the Bills couldn’t defend. Next week the Bills have a bye and hopefully they can get some defensive drills in before they meet the Patriots next game.

By Ranhvir Samra
ProFootball-fans.com Buffalo Bills Correspondent