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Gameball, Unsung Hero, and Grades on Bills Week 3 Win

September 22, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: Buffalo Bills, Dick Jauron, Fred Jackson, JaMarcus Russel, Josh Reed, Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Trent Edwards No Comments →

Wow!  That’s really all you can say about the Buffalo Bills Week 3 win against the Oakland Raiders to improve to 3-0.  To be honest with everyone, the Bills had no right to win this game, but that is why they play the whole 60 minutes.  Trent Edwards and crew went on a 4th quarter rally with a little more than 6 minutes left in the game that was ended with Rian Lindell’s 38 yard field goal to win it.

So who do I have for my “Unsung Hero”?  Who receives the gameball?  How did the Bills do overall in my eyes?  Keep the page scrolling for the answers.

GRADES on Bills

Running Game: B

Marshawn Lynch led the ground game with 83 yards and 2 TDs.  Fred Jackson in his limited role averaged almost 5 yards a carry on his 5 attempts in the game.  The ground game stuttered at times, but when they were really needed they stepped up.  Lynch also had some strong carries to help set up the winning field goal.

Passing Game: B+

Another strong 4th quarter helped bump this grade up.  Edwards came through when needed though and was the main reason the Bills scored 17 points in the final quarter. 

Run Defense: A

The run defense also got a boost in the grade due to their late game heroics.  They also very quietly held a strong running game to under 100 yards.

Pass Defense: B-

The defense held the Raiders to 72 yards passing, before the 4th quarter strike from JaMarcus Russel to Higgins that went for 84 yards.  The Raiders only threw the ball 3 times in the 2nd half!

Special Teams: C

Two weeks in a row the special teams have been sub par.  Lindell did win the game, BUT the rest of the time they were horrible.  Kick and punt coverage were both awful.  If it wasn’t for the last second field goal, this squad might have received a F.

Coaching: B+ 

The offense made adjustments all game, and the defense played great.  Another hard fought win for this Bills squad.  They are really playing hard under Head Coach Dick Jauron.

 

GAMEBALL

QB Trent Edwards.  He is the winner of the gameball two weeks in a row now.  How can you argue with this pick though?  Edwards finished the game 24 of 39, 279 yards and 1 TD and 1 INT to go along with 9 yards on the ground.  The 4th quarter is where he won this award though, when he threw for 177 yards on 13 of 18 throwing including a TD pass to Roscoe Parrish.  This is now the 2nd week in a row, Edwards has led 4th quarter comebacks and the Bills start 3-0 for the first time since 1992.

UNSUNG HERO

WR Josh Reed.  Reed was the leading receiver for this game with his 6 catches for 72 yards.  Edwards looked for him when the game mattered most and Reed helped move the chains.  Sure he will not get the attention of go to guy Lee Evans, or the game changing Roscoe Parrish, but Reed has turned into a solid possession guy.  Edwards looks for him on 3rd downs and Reed has some very sure hands.  I remember a few years ago when Reed couldn’t catch and I would want to pull my hair out watching him play.  Now he has turned into a solid threat.  Who would’ve thought that?  He wins the unsung hero award for this week.

WEEK 3 NFL PICKS

September 19, 2008 By: BuffBillsFan Category: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Boldin, Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Chicago Bears, Clinton Portis, Darren McFadden, Devin Hester, Houston Texans, JaMarcus Russel, Jason Campbell, Jerious Norwood, Justin Fargas, Kansas City Cheifs, Kurt Warner, Matt Cassell, Miami Dolphins, Michael Turner, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay, Tennessee Titans, Tom Brady, Washington Redskins No Comments →

Here at the Bills Blog we are very capable of changing things up.  This week I’m calling an audible and going to give you my NFL picks for Week 3 against the point spread.  This is going to be a weekly post that will happen every Thursday from now on (remember every Tuesday is also the Bills Player Bio of the Week).  Why am I still talking?  Let’s start it up.

Oakland Raiders (1-1, +9.5) @ Buffalo Bills (2-0)

OVER/UNDER: 36.5 Points 

Oakland lost their top back in Justin Fargas to a hamstring injury so the workload will go between rookie Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush.  I think the Bills Defense is going to be able to stop the run with Marcus Stroud just terriozing the Raiders O-line.  If they can’t run the ball, then the pressure will be put on 2nd year QB JaMarcus Russel who has not looked very strong.  The guy only had 55 yards last week through the air against a weak Kansas City defense (he went 6 for 17 which is good for a 35.3% completion).  Not to mention that the defense has been terrible.  They have let up an average of 24.5 points per game and 315 yards.  The Bills offense should have a big day.  The only question is will the Bills blow them out?  This is a game they are suppose to win big and it is tough whether or not they will step on their throat and blow them out of this game. 

THE PICK: I have to go with the Bills in this one.

OVER/UNDER: I’ll go with the OVER.   

 

Arizona Cardinals (2-0) @ Washington Redskins (1-1, +3)

OVER/UNDER: 42.5

Kurt Warner looked the right choice after all after he has led the team to a 2-0 start to the season.  He looked great last week against the Dolphins (but who doesn’t).  The Redskins secondary hasn’t looked great, so expect Warner to have another strong game with Fitz and Boldin running the show.  Clinton Portis is going to have to led the Redskins in carrier and be their workhorse in this game.  Jason Campbell looked sharp last week, like he was suppose to look like this season.  I think the Redskins are still a pretty good team.  Look for a high scoring game.

THE PICK: I really do like the Redskins with the 3 point spread in this one.

O/U: It might be a pretty high scoring game but my gut tells me to go with the UNDER.

 

KANSAS CITY CHEIFS (0-2, +5.5) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

O/U: 36.5

This game could be the possible stinker of the week.  Kansas City is terrible but the Falcons aren’t too much better.  Neither team has a QB (sorry Matt Ryan Fans) but both do have some running backs.  Look for the Falcons to win the running battle with Turner and Norwood.  Two awful teams going head to head. 

THE PICK: Turner will have a huge game.  Falcons are my pick.

O/U: These teams might not even get passed the 25 point mark.  I’m taking the UNDER.

 

HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1, +5) @ Tennessee Titans (2-0)

O/U: 39

This will be the Texans fist game in 2 weeks as they had a “bye week” last week due to the Hurricane.  The Texans looked terrible in their first game and I expected that to continue especailly because they don’t have a running back.  The Titans will have to not turn the ball over and stop the Texans in the air to win this one.  Should be a low scoring game.

THE PICK: I like the Texans with the +5 points.

O/U: Like I said, I think this one will be low scoring.  I’ll take the UNDER.

 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-1, +3) @ CHICAGO BEARS (1-1)

O/U: 35.5

The biggest question with this line is how is the over/under 35.5?  Neither team will score much in this game.  Both teams have a decently strong running game but passing is the big question.  Kyle Orton is not going to put up big numbers and Devin Hester, the Bears top playmaker might not even play in this game.  He has missed three pratices in a row this week due to a rib injury.  How are they going to get into good field postion now?  Their offense certainly won’t be able to do it.  This game should be another stinker.

THE PICK:  No Hester equals No Win.  I’ll take the Bucs with the 3 points to spare.

O/U: Under for sure.

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2, +13.5) @ NEW YORK GIANTS

O/U: 41.5

Can the Giants cover the spread?  They certainly will beat the joke of the NFL in the Bengals but by almost 14 points?  Their offense will put up some big numbers over a very poor defense (don’t give me those numbers of where the D is ranked, they are terrible).  The X-Factor in this one is Carson Palmer.  He has looked terrible for the Bengals in their two losses.  I have a feeling he bounces back in this one.  And hey maybe Chad Johnson (no I will not refer to him by his stupid spanish name that translates to eight five, not eighty-five) might accuatly come out and play a game of football.

THE PICK: Palmer bounces back in this one and the Giants, who win, just can’t cover the spread.  I’ll go with the Bengals, although I proabably will regret it. 

O/U: Over.  This game will have a pretty high score at the end.

 

MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2, +12.5) @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-0)

O/U: 36.5

The Dolphins will play this game close, until halftime where they will eventually be blown out by the Pats.  Miami’s defense will not be able to stop the run or pass, even without Tom Brady.  The national betting scene is all over the Dolphins but let’s be honest here.  The Pats have too much firepower for them to handle.  It won’t be a high scoring game but I wouldn’t be suprise if the Dolphins get shut out. 

THE PICK: Not following the national media on this one.  I’m going with the Patriots.

O/U: Neither team will score much.  UNDER.

 

CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-0, +3.5) @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2)

O/U: 37.5

The Panthers are the underdogs in this one?  Watch Gus Frerotte be terrible this week and Tavaris Jackson wins back his spot.  The Panthers of course will have to stop AP and Chester Taylor on the ground.  That is no small task.  However they have won their first 2 games without their best player in Steve Smith.  Look for him to have a big game in this one.  I don’t usually go on trends but QB Jake Delhomme for the Panthers is 22-4 as an underdog in his career.  I expect that record to improve after this game.

THE PICK: Going with the Panthers on this one as everyone in Minnesota realizes their team is in deep trouble.

O/U: Steve Smith is back remember?  Going with the OVER on this one.

 

That covers all of the early games for Sunday.  Didn’t feel the need to bore all of you guys tonight.  Check the site tommarrow evening for the rest of the games.  Also remember, this post will be done on Thursdays from now on.

 

High Disagree with one of my picks?  Think I’m an idiot?  Want to praise me for picking your team?  Write a comment in below and tell me what’s up.