The Buffalo Bills continue to lose in the same excrutiating fashion as they did in week one, and all of last year. Their 13-10 loss at the hands of the Raiders was filled with inept offense, back-breaking penalties, and a defense that played well but gave up key plays.
QB Drew Bledsoe had decent numbers on the surface (13 for 24, 198 yards, one TD and one INT) but was sacked seven times for 46 yards, and he didn't hit any big passes until the games final drive when he connected with rookie WR Lee Evans for 65 yards and followed up with a deflected TD pass to Eric Moulds.
Special teams had two huge returns, an 88-yard kick return by Terrence McGee and a 63-yard punt return by Nate Clements, wiped out by holding penalties that absolutely broke their spirit. And the offense failed to score on fourth and goal from the one yard line...another missed opportunity that destroyed their momentum.
Some quick notes:
- Willis McGahee touched the ball twice. Unfathomable. I think he will see the field next time there is short yardage considering Henry's failures the past two weeks.
- Lee Evans got the start opposite Eric Moulds. About time. In theory, Evans speed should loosen things up underneath for Moulds and Josh Reed, who shifts to his more natural position in the slot.
- Guard Chris Villareal left the game in the third quarter with a leg injury and it did not look pretty. The team says it was merely a leg contusion and he should return after the bye week next week.
- The Raiders were 10,000 fans shy of a sellout in their home opener. And these guys are supposed to be great fans?
- Jerry Rice's streak of consecutive games with a reception ended at 274 games. As much as the Bills would like to take credit, most of it needs to be attributed to Rice's declining skills. Eric Moulds' streak was extended to 96 games. Just eleven more seasons to go, Eric!
While I never held high hopes for the season, I did expect them to emerge from these games 1-1 at the worst. The prospects for a successful season grow more bleak daily.
Cross-posted at Thetalkarena.com
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Comments (1)
I really really thought tha... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Hector Vex | September 21, 2004 8:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I really really thought that this year Bledsoe perhaps wouldn't look like a washed up loser. He's about to win himself a spot on the permament veteran backup roster if he doesn't watch it. I know we can't blame everything on Bledsoe, but he's got no spark. He's like Brad Johnson without a proper defense. Ugh is right.
Optimism alert!! They'll turn their season around when they play Miami.
Hector
1. Posted by Hector Vex | September 21, 2004 8:47 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 21, 2004 08:47