Die Hard Sports Fan

The Buffalo Bills played terrible in front of their home fans when the team needed a win most, dropping to the San Francisco 49ers, 10-3.

1st Quarter

On the first drive on the day, the 49ers gamed the ball down the Bills throat. Whether it was running or passing, they moved the ball down the field in ease. A 14 play, 72 yard drive would end with a touchdown as QB Shaun Hill hooked up with veteran Issac Bruce on a 12 yard pass to put the road team up 7-0.

Later in the quarter the Bills tried to counter but they were kept out of the end zone. With a 20 yard field goal attempt, kicker Rian Lindell entered the game to make a kick less than a extra point. He clinked it off the right left upright though, so 49ers still in the lead, 7-0.

2nd Quarter

49ers kicker Joe Nedney made Lindell look like a high school kicker as he blasted a 50 yard field goal up and good to give the 49ers a 10 point lead.

Going into the tunnel at halftime, San Fran leads 10-0.

3rd Quarter

Lindell was able to make a 22 yard field goal in the 3^rd to get the Bills back into a one score game, 10-3.

4th Quarter

No scoring occurred in this quarter despite the numerous chances the Bills had. The defense came to play, stopping the Niners when it mattered most. However, with backup JP Losman in the game, the Bills couldn’t put the ball into the end zone.

Wrap Up

· Trent Edwards left the game at halftime after playing a terrible game. He went 10 of 21 passing for 112 yards. Backup Losman went 11 for 17 for 93 yards. Neither QB threw a touchdown or interception.

· Marshawn Lynch only carries the ball 16 times but made the most of it, gaining 134 yards on the ground.

· Lee Evans caught 7 passes for 80 yards to lead the Bills in receiving. Josh Reed had a solid game, hauling in 5 passes for 58 yards.

· Rian Lindell has looked very shaky since his Monday night wide right miss. He went 1 for 3 on FG attempts this game. Thank goodness he didn’t have to try a PAT.

· Defense ends have been bashed the entire season for the Bills but they stepped it up today. Chris Kelsay had 5 tackles (2 assists) and 1 sack while Ryan Denney had 2 sacks, a forced fumble and 4 tackles.

· It was the first win for a west coast team coming to the east. Previous team were 0-14 (Bills themselves were 3-0).

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The Giants flew out to Glendale, AZ where they won Super Bowl XLII and outscored the high octane Cardinals offense. I must admit that I was nervous for a few days prior to kick off. The first reason was because the G-MEN are due for a loss, and the second reason was because they have not had to defend a high-flying offense like this maybe since the Super Bowl. This victory along with a Titans loss now puts the Giants and the Titans in a tie for the best record in the NFL, 10-1, with five games to go. Who team will finish the ‘08 season with a better record? We’ll see, but I do know that Big Blue will move up to the #1 spot on all of the Power Rankings.

Offense

The Giants offense consisted of a whole lot of passing yesterday. Eli Manning had a great game as he went 26/33 which is a 78.79% completion percentage and threw for 240 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. This is the first time he threw for over 200 yards since the Seattle game. Every time the Cardinals scored, Eli marched the team right down the field for a score never giving the Cardinals the opportunity to take the lead. Manning spread the love by throwing his 3 TD passes to 3 different receivers which included Amani Toomer, Madison Hedgecock, and Kevin Boss. Domenik Hixon replaced Burress after the first series and led the team in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 6 and 57 respectively. Earth, Wind, and Fire were not able to show themselves off as a trio to the Cardinals defense because Jacobs was inactive. Ward and Bradshaw were not as successful without the big man. Derrick Ward led the ground game with 20 touches for 69 yards and 1 Rushing TD. The running game only amassed to 87 yards on 27 carries. The Giants’ offense put up 28 of the 37 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was solid even though they gave up 29 points. The defense came out and pressured Kurt Warner throughout the game and the defensive backs were extremely physical with the Cardinals’ receivers. Justin Tuck got the only sack of the game as well as a forced fumble. Rookie Kenny Phillips had his best game yet with 7 Tackles. It seemed like Phillips was involved in every play, and his best play of the game was when he punched the ball out of Larry Fitzgerald’s hands in the end zone for what would’ve been a TD. Ross was also playing very physical, but too physical for the Refs because they kept throwing flags out on the field. The other rookie, Terrell Thomas, got a pick. The Giants have been allowing an average of 17 points per game so they were fortunate that they got the win after allowing 29 points. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 37 points.

Special Teams

John Carney returned and was 3/3 (perfect again) in Field Goal Attempts. I already mentioned how Hixon filled in really well for the injured Plaxico, but he was even better on special teams. Domenik Hixon had 201 return yards which constantly gave the Giants’ offense great field position which they took advantage of. Most of Hixon’s return yardage came on a 83-yard return and a 66-yard return. Hixon left the game with 269 total yards so props to him. The Giants’ special teams put up 9 of the 37 points.

Heading into this weekend, I felt like all four NFC East teams were going to win because there were not any head-to-head games or really challenging opponents. The three teams with the better records won while the Eagles with the worst record lost. I was hoping that either the Redskins or Cowboys would’ve lost rather than the Eagles. The Giants won their tenth game which makes them 10-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 5 games? They have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFL. I predicted them to be 9-2 after the first 11 games, and they are 10-1. I got 3 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers, and then I had the Giants and the Eagles splitting the season series with each of them winning at home. I predicted the Giants to be 3-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will make a trip to the nation’s capitol to take on the Redskins on Sunday.

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The Giants and the Cardinals came into the game as the first and second best scoring teams in the NFL, but it was the Giants who won the shootout in the desert giving Big Blue their tenth win of the 2008 Regular Season.

Note: Brandon Jacobs was inactive due to a knee injury.

1st Quarter

Note: Plaxico Burress left the game after the first possession by the Giants and his return is questionable.

The Cardinals kept converting on third and long as they went 79 yards on 13 plays during their opening drive, and Neil Rackers made a 34-yard Field Goal Attempt giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead with 6:18 remaining.

On 2nd and 6, Bertrand Berry sacked Eli Manning for a loss of 8 yards with 5:08 remaining on the Giants’ second possession which ultimately led to a punt.

2nd Quarter

The Giants converted on a 4th and 1 play which kept the drive alive as they went 62 yards on 11 plays, and Derrick Ward capped it off with a 1-yard Touch Down run up the gut with 11:38 remaining giving the Giants a 7-3 lead.

A 55-yard kick off return by Arrington gave the Cardinals great field position in Giants’ territory, and they took advantage of that when Tim Hightower ran up the middle and into the end zone for a 2-yard Touch Down run. The snap on the Extra Point Attempt was mishandled so the Cardinals have a 9-7 lead with 7:51 remaining.

An 83-yard kick off return by Hixon set the Giants up at the Cardinals’ 17 yardline, but they were only able to walk away with a 33-yard Field Goal Attempt made by John Carney with 6:51 remaining giving the Giants a 10-9 lead.

Warner hit Urban over the middle for 41 yards to begin the drive, and Neil Rackers finished the drive by connecting on a 20-yard Field Goal Attempt giving the Cardinals a 12-10 lead with 3:49 remaining.

A 66-yard kick off return by Hixon set up the Giants at the Cardinals’ 32 yardline, and Eli Manning threw a 12-yard Touch Down pass to Amani Toomer who caught the ball at the 7 yardline and ran it into the end zone with 1:08 remaining giving the Giants a 17-12 lead.

3rd Quarter

During the opening drive of the Cardinals, Kurt Warner was scrambling on 3rd and 9 when Justin Tuck knocked the ball lose and it was recovered by Mathias Kiwanuka at the Cardinals’ 40 yardline with 12:39 remaining.

Manning aired out a 28-yard pass to Smith along the right sideline which gave the Giants 1st and Goal at the 2 yardline, and then Eli Manning threw the ball to the left to Madison Hedgecock who ran it into the end zone for a 2-yard Touch Down catch giving the Giants a 24-12 lead with 10:35 remaining.

A bunch of Giants’ penalties assisted the high flying Cardinals offense to a 90-yard scoring drive which was capped off by a 1-yard Touch Down run by Tim Hightower as the Cardinals tried to cut into the Giants lead 24-19 with 0:49 remaining.

4th Quarter

The Giants immediately responded with an 80-yard scoring drive of their own, and Eli Manning hooked up with Kevin Boss for a 9-yard Touch Down pass giving the Giants a 31-19 lead with 11:15 remaining.

On 2nd and 7, Kurt Warner threw an interception to Terrell Thomas who returned it 13 yards to the Cardinals’ 29 yardline with 10:30 remaining.

The Cardinals’ defense was able to keep the Giants out of the end zone which led to a 27-yard Field Goal Attempt by John Carney with 6:17 remaining giving the Giants a 34-19 lead.

The potent offense of the Cardinals would not quit as they assembled a 55-yard scoring drive, and Kurt Warner threw his first Touch Down pass of the game to Anquan Boldin making it a 34-26 lead with 4:02 remaining.

The relentless Giants failed to get into the end zone again so John Carney connected on his 33-yard Field Goal Attempt with 1:55 remaining giving the Giants a 37-26 lead.

The Cardinals had to settle for a 44-yard Field Goal Attempt made by Neil Rackers on their final possession of the game which was not enough.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 26/33 and threw for 240 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs.

Derrick Ward led in Rushing Attempts and in Rushing Yards with 20 and 69 respectively.

Domenik Hixon led in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 6 and 57 respectively.

Derrick Ward had 1 Rushing TD, Kevin Boss had 1 Receiving TD, Amani Toomer had 1 Receiving TD, and Madison Hedgecock had 1 Receiving TD.

John Carney went 3/3 in Field Goal Attempts.

Kenny Phillips led the team in Tackles with 7.

Justin Tuck had 1 Sack.

Terrell Thomas had 1 INT.

Justin Tuck had 1 Forced Fumble.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The New York Giants will face the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

TV Info:

Game: New York Giants (9-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-3)
TV: FOX (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston)
Radio: WFAN (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross)
Time: November 23, 2008; 4:15 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• The Giants will return to the University of Phoenix Stadium where they won Super Bowl XLII for the first time on Sunday.
• The Giants lead the regular season series with the Cardinals, 78-41-2.
• Both teams are coming into this game atop their division.
• The Giants are coming into this game on a five-game win streak.
• Last week, New York defeated Baltimore 30-10 to improve to 9-1.
• Last week, Arizona beat Seattle 26-20 to improve to 7-3.
• The Giants’ total offense is ranked fourth in the NFL averaging 372.5 yards per game. The Giants are first in rushing (172.7), nineteenth in passing (199.8), and first in scoring (29.2).
• The Cardinals’ total offense is ranked second in the NFL averaging 392.7 yards per game. The Cardinals are twenty-ninth in rushing (86.9), second in passing (305.8), and second in scoring (28.9).
• The Giants’ total defense is ranked second in the NFL allowing 265.8 yards per game. The Giants are eighth against the run (91.0), second against the pass (174.8), and fifth in points allowed (17.0).
• The Cardinals’ total defense is ranked eleventh in the NFL allowing 299.8 yards per game. The Cardinals are seventh against the run (89.8), sixteenth against the pass (210.0), and eighteenth in points allowed (22.8).
• Last week, Aaron Ross of the Giants got the game ball for having his first two interceptions of the season. Both came at crucial moments, with the first coming as the Ravens were driving at the end of the 2nd Quarter.
• Last week, Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals got the game ball for forcing a fumble on the Seahawks’ first possession in the 2nd Half, which led to a Neil Rackers 26-yard field goal. Seattle had built a little momentum at the end of the 1st Half, but Wilson’s play shifted it back to the Cardinals.
• The Line: The Giants are favored by 3. Over/Under is 48.5.

Injury Report:

Giants - Questionable: WR Plaxico Burress (Hamstring), S Sammy Knight (Hip). Probable: LB Chase Blackburn (Neck), RB Brandon Jacobs (Knee), LB Gerris Wilkinson (Knee), DE Jerome McDougle (Knee), CB Aaron Ross (Hamstring), LB Jonathan Goff (Concussion), CB Kevin Dockery (Back).

Cardinals - Questionable: CB Rod Hood (Not Injury Related), LB Clark Haggans (Foot), DE Travis LaBoy (Ankle). Probable: T Mike Gandy (Ankle), DT Darnell Dockett (Hamstring), CB Eric Green (Knee).

Quote of the week:

“Yeah, I think it will be neat going back to that stadium. But I think it will be a different feel this week just because we are going to be in Arizona’s stadium. And we are going to be the away team. It should be a different crowd; a different feel.” - QB Eli Manning on returning to the stadium where the Giants won Super Bowl XLII

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Giants fans from around the world.

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ESPN previews the upcoming game between the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

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My expectations of what the Giants would do to the 49ers in the week following the giant embarrassment on Monday Night Football were not fulfilled, but a win is a win is a win. This was also the last opponent on the Jints schedule that was considered relatively easy. The final 10 games on the schedule are much more difficult, and we will see just how good the G-MEN are once they start playing better competition. We’ll discuss the schedule later on in the week so let’s get back to yesterday’s game.

Offense

I was not impressed by the offense yesterday. Eli Manning did not have a good night statistically. He went 16/31 which is a 51.61% completion percentage and threw for 161 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs. The Giants defense constantly gave the offense great field position, but the offense did not capitalize on as many possessions as they should have. The Jints offense only put up 21 points on a not so good team which doesn’t leave a good taste in your mouth as the G-MEN are about to face the Steelers, the Cowboys, and the Eagles. My confidence going into these games would have been much higher if Big Blue played a nice, crisp game on offense. Even Brandon Jacobs wasn’t thrilled with how the offense played yesterday because he said, “I felt like we bounced back well enough to win the game but as far as production with our offense, I think it could have been better.” The receiving corps was not very productive either. WR Steve Smith had 4 receptions for 39 yards while RB Derrick Ward had 3 receptions for 50 yards. It isn’t necessarily bad when a running back has more receiving yards than a receiver, but it is when the top receiver only has 39 yards. Plaxico Burress was the only receiver to catch a touch down, but he only had 3 receptions for 24 yards in the game. Also, Burress got heated after being called for a questionable offensive pass interference penalty. He began screaming at the Referee, and then received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the following play. As he walked off the field, he was caught shouting 4-letter words at Cough Coughlin. Coughlin responded, and then Eli Manning and Antonio Pierce tried to calm Burress down as he was sitting on the bench. Plax is really starting to get on my nerves again like he did prior to 2007. I wouldn’t care if this was a one-off incident, but his behavior is reverting. After getting his mega-contract, he has acted like a fool. Instead, he should be helping his teammates improve. The more Burress acts like T.O. or Chad Johnson, the faster the Giants will let him go like they did with his best friend Jeremy Shockey. Speaking of Shockey, he had a big fumble yesterday which wasn’t his fault. He blamed the coaching and the doctors for that one because nothing is his own fault. Pathetic. Earth, Wind, and Fire compiled 116 yards on 29 touches is only 4 yards per carry. Jacobs had 2 rushing TDs. That number isn’t bad, but it is low for this group who average more than 6.0 yards per carry. The Giants’ offense put up 21 of the 29 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was outstanding yesterday. They 49ers scored 17 total points, but they only scored 10 points on the Giants defense. The defense sacked J.T. O’Sullivan 6 times. Justin Tuck got to him twice, and Chase Blackburn, Dave Tollefson, Fred Robbins, and Barry Cofield got to him once. Michael Johnson had 2 picks yesterday, and one of the biggest plays of the game was when he intercepted the pass in the end zone right before Halftime which stopped the Niners chances of tying the game. Tuck also forced 2 fumbles, and Blackburn forced a fumble. The defense came back and played like they are capable of. The Giants also had a safety. We know that the Giants can rush the passer, but you know that they had a great day when they add 2 picks, 3 forced fumbles, and a safety to that. The Giants’ defense put up 2 of the 29 points.

Special Teams

The worst play of the game took place on Special Teams when the 49ers blocked the field goal and returned it for a touch down. John Carney was 2/3 in Field Goal Attempts. The blocked field goal gave Carney the first missed field goal attempt of the season. The Special Teams unit needs to improve on returns and coverage. The Giants’ special teams put up 6 of the 29 points.

So the Giants won their fifth game which makes them 5-1. They now head into the real season. I’m can’t wait to watch these games. How will Big Blue fair in these next 10 games? I predicted them to be 6-0 after the first 6 games, but they are 5-1. I predicted the Giants to be 6-4 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Steelers are next on the schedule.

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ESPN believes that the Giants defense came up huge in their win over the 49ers.

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The Giants beat the 49ers in a very ugly game giving them their fifth win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

Dave Tollefson sacked J.T. O’Sullivan for a loss of 7 yards during the 49ers opening drive which ultimately led to a punt.

With 10:10 remaining, Fred Robbins sacked J.T. O’Sullivan for a 4-yard loss during the Niners second possession which led to another punt.

Manning handed the ball off to Brandon Jacobs who ran down the right sideline for a 26-yard Touch Down run to cap off a 54-yard drive with 7:52 remaining.

The 49ers got stopped at the Giants’ 22 yardline so Joe Nedney connected on his 40-yard Field Goal Attempt with 4:23 remaining.

2nd Quarter

The Niners committed three straight defensive penalties putting the Giants at the 49ers’ 19 yardline, and the Giants capitalized on this when Brandon Jacobs ran 2-yards up the gut for his second Touch Down of the game with 14:55 remaining.

The 49ers immediately countered with a 74-yard scoring drive of their own as J.T. O’Sullivan hooked up with Josh Morgan in the end zone for a 30-yard Touch Down reception with 11:25 remaining.

With 3:11 remaining, J.T. O’Sullivan threw an interception directly to Michael Johnson who returned it 19 yards to the Niners’ 9 yardline.

The Giants were unable to get the ball into the end zone, but John Carney made a 21-yard Field Goal Attempt with 1:52 remaining.

In the 2:00 offense, the 49ers were marching down the field successfully until J.T. O’Sullivan threw another interception to Michael Johnson in the middle of the end zone with 0:15 remaining.

3rd Quarter

On 3rd and 2, O’Sullivan handed the ball off poorly to Frank Gore who fumbled the ball which was recovered by Mathias Kiwanuka at the 49ers’ 18 yardline with 11:07 remaining.

Once again, the Giants were able to capitalize on another turnover as Eli Manning drilled a 6-yard Touch Down pass to Plaxico Burress in the back of the end zone with 9:01 remaining.

On 1st and 10 of another unsuccessful drive by the Niners, J.T. O’Sullivan scrambled and got sacked by Barry Cofield for a loss of 1 yard with 8:44 remaining.

Manning along with some big runs out of Ward and Bradshaw went 63 yards before getting stopped, and Manny Lawson blocked the 35-yard Field Goal Attempt by Carney and Nate Clements returned it for a 74-yard Touch Down return with 1:50 remaining.

4th Quarter

The Giants marched to the 49ers’ 30 yardline, and John Carney his 48-yard Field Goal Attempt with 12:22 remaining.

The 49ers were at their own 20 yardline when Justin Tuck knocked the ball out of J.T. O’Sullivan’s hands. The ball headed towards the end zone, and Josh Morgan kicked the ball out of the end zone which resulted in a penalty which resulted in a Giants safety with 4:57 remaining.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 16/31 and threw for 161 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs.

Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts and Rushing Yards with 17 and 69 respectively.

Steve Smith led in Receptions with 4 and Derrick Ward led in Receiving Yards with 50.

Brandon Jacobs had 2 Rushing TD, and Plaxico Burress had 1 Receiving TD.

John Carney went 2/3 in Field Goal Attempts.

Chase Blackburn led the team in Tackles with 8.

Justin Tuck had 2 Sacks while Chase Blackburn, Dave Tollefson, Fred Robbins, and Barry Cofield each had 1 Sack.

Michael Johnson had 2 INTs.

Justin Tuck had 2 Forced Fumbles, and Chase Blackburn had 1 Forced Fumble.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The San Francisco 49ers will face the New York Giants at Giants Stadium.

TV Info:

Game: San Francisco 49ers (2-4) @ New York Giants (4-1)
TV: FOX (Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver)
Radio: WFAN (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross)
Time: October 19, 2008; 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• The Giants suffered their initial defeat of the season Monday night in Cleveland, 35-14.
• Last season, the Giants defeated the 49ers here, 33-15, to even the regular season series at 13-13.
• San Francisco leads the postseason series, 4-3.
• On Monday Night, Eli Manning went 18/28 and threw for 196 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INTs. Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts with 14, and Derrick Ward led in Rushing Yards with 101.
• J.T. O’Sullivan, who earned the starting quarterback job in training camp, has completed 58.2 percent of his passes and thrown for seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
• The Giants defense walked out of Cleveland with no sacks.
• Running back Frank Gore is the heart and soul of the team and the key to the offense.
• San Francisco is ranked 26th in defense, allowing 350.5 yards a game.
• The Line: The Giants are favored by 10.5. Over/Under is 46.5.

Injury Report:

49ers - Out of Game: CB Shawntae Spencer (Knee), T Jonas Jennings (Shoulder). Probable: S Mark Roman (Knee), LB Manny Lawson (Hamstring), CB Donald Strickland (Hip).

Giants - Out of Game: LB Gerris Wilkinson (Knee). Questionable: LB Antonio Pierce (Quadricep). Probable: C Shaun O’Hara (Toe), DE Dave Tollefson (Knee).

Quote of the week:

“You are in the NFL. You have played five games. You have some guys nicked. Everybody in the league has some guys nicked. Now you really have to scheme and work at it in terms of who is not at capacity enough to be able to help you win and so on and so forth.”- Coach Tom Coughlin on dealing with injuries

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Giants fans from around the world.

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Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson was fined for his hit on Bills QB Trent Edwards that knocked him out of the game last week, 3 plays into the ball game.  Wilson will have to send $25,000 to the league.

Wilson hammered Edwards on the third play of last Sunday’s 41-17 win, knocking him out of the rest of the game. The hit was not helmet-to-helmet and there was no penalty on the play, but the league said that Wilson unnecessarily drove Edwards to the ground.

Wilson has developed a reputation for being a pretty dirty player, and was warned by the league that his next infraction will draw a one-game suspension and a $50,000 fine.

He was fined twice last season.  Once for a late hit and once for a horse-collar tackle.  It is being reported that Wilson will appeal the fine, but it isn’t likely he will win this one seeing as he has a list of hits like this.

Personally, I thought it was a clean hit.  It was a saftey blitz that never got picked up by the Bills, and Wilson came through and drilled Edwards.  Yes he did sort of take him into the ground a little hard, but this is football.  I thought it was clean and Wilson does not deserve a fine.  I think it has more to do with his past hits, then how bad this one really was.

Edwards looks like he will be ready to start in the Bills Week 7 game, at home against the San Diego Chargers.  The Bills are currently on a bye week.

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