Was it the fact that the Buffalo Bills wore their blue pants for the first time since 1984? Did Chan Gailey light a fire under the Bills’ knickers? Well, I am convinced that Ryan Fitzpatrick’s mother is the extra ingredient, her homemade Mac ‘N’ Cheese feeding the Bills to an exciting 19-16 overtime win over the Cardinals. Fitzpatrick invited his teammates to his mother’s house for supper in Phoenix this past week.
In the land of the Buffalo Curse, most things do not come easy for our native sports teams. Sunday’s game gets my vote for the most exhilarating, roller coaster game of the Bills 2012 season. In spite of the contrasting records, the Bills at 2-3 and the Cardinals 4-1, the match-up seemed pretty even throughout the game.
OPENING DRIVE JITTERS
I admit that Fred Jackson fumbling on Buffalo’s opening drive gave me a bit of mild PSTD, my neurons firing off the memory of losses to the 49er’s and the Patriots. I cradled my aching head in my hands.
Photo Credit: T. Bennett
Here we go again, I thought, and who could blame me? The CBS network plastered the Bills dismal fourth and fifth week statistics across the television screen:
- The Bills defense allowed 300 pass and 300 rushing yards last week.
- Buffalo has not scored a touchdown in two games.
- The Bills’ opponents put up 1,205 yards and scored 97 points.
I try to start each week on a clean slate. Not always easy, but you never know what will transpire from week to week. This week was one of those weeks!
A GAME OF WACKY PLAYS
In the first quarter, Chris Kelsay snagged a safety for the Bills. Who expected that? The Cardinals pulled a fast one on Buffalo (and me) near the end of the first half with an awesome fake punt. Grrrr. . .
The last three minutes of regulation time proved the craziest yet, not meant for fans with pacemakers, high blood pressure, or anxiety disorders. As the Bills led 16-13, “Wildcat” Brad Smith threw a pussycat end zone interception. UGH! With a chance to devour some clock time from Arizona, who called that play?
Backup QB John Skelton managed to connect with Larry Fitzgerald to get them into non-field goal position. Did that stop Arizona? As Whitney Houston would say “Hell to the no!” I clenched my knuckles as Jay Feely attempted a 61 yard kick and. . .makes it? How could that happen?
The Cardinals hold the Bills and they punt it away. Time to relax? No way! As Feely attempts a game winning 38-yard field goal, Alex Carrington tips it, the kick null-and-void. I jump for joy as we enter OT territory.
OVERTIME PLAY
As the Bills take their first possession, I am stunned as Chan Gailey does not let Rian Lindell try a 53-yard field goal. Did we just blow it? Now, the Bills defense must produce and. . . they do!
Jairus Byrd intercepts Skelton, taking the ball to the 6-yard line. Lindell knocks a 25-yarder through the uprights and BINGO, Buffalo snaps their two game losing streak.
MVP
The MVP of the game goes to Jairus Byrd, getting two interceptions for the day, the last one setting up a Lindell winning field goal.
ICY THOUGHTS
Gailey called a time out before Feely’s first 61- yard kick, which he made. However, Gailey did not “ice” Feely’s 38-yard failed attempt. Did Gailey make the right calls? Readers, express yourself with a comment. See you next week!
