Die Hard Sports Fan

The Buffalo Bills were given a scare by the winless St. Louis Rams, who actually held a lead in this game heading into the 4th quarter.  The Bills battled back again, and for the 3rd weekend in a row, the Bills came back in the 4th to gain the W.

1^st Quarter

The Buffalo Bills offense was not clicking well to start the game off, again.  Nothing really exciting happened in this one as both teams didn’t look very sharp.  Bills kicker Rian Lindell kicked two successful field goals but the quarter ended with a Rams lead.  A 37 yard reverse run by WR Donnie Avery was the only touchdown so far in this one.  Rams lead going into quarter #2 with a 7-6 lead.

2^nd Quarter

A very good run defense was scored on again.  This time Rams RB Steven Jackson broke one for 29 yards and the TD.  The Bills continued to struggle and the score was still in the home team’s favor at half-time, Rams now lead 14-6.

3^rd Quarter

A back and forth affair in this quarter.  Only one score was put on the board and this time it was in the favor of the good guys.  A decent drive by the Bills was ended with a Fred Jackson 22 yard run.  Jackson cut, juked and dove his way into the end zone.  Bills still down, but at least they are on the board, 14-13 in the Rams favor.

4^th Quarter

This quarter belonged to the Bills as they rallied again for win.  They scored 18 points in the final 15.  It all started just into the 4^th when Bills CB Jabari Greer had a pick 6 that gave the Bills the lead 21-14.  The Rams would not score again this game.  WR Lee Evans would get into the end zone though when he hooked up with QB Trent Edwards on a 39 yard TD pass.  The final scoring would end, when kicker Rian Lindell added another FG from 45 yards out in the end of the game.  Bills pick up the victory 31-14.

Game Notes

• The Bills start 4-0 for the sixth time since 1970
• The last two times they achieved the feat (1991-92), they went on to reach the Super Bowl.
• For the second straight year the Rams have started 0-4 (remember they started 0-8 last season before getting their first W)
• The Rams have now lost eight straight games dating back to last year.
• Trent Edwards went 15 for 25 for 197 yards, 1 TD and an INT.
• Evans only had 2 catches for 88 yards but also a TD.
• Bills rushing game struggled as they only gained 111 yards.  The offense only had 277 yards in total.  

Share This

FLY EAGLES FLY!! The Eagles dominated every where, on offense, on defense, and yes, even special teams:

1^st Quarter:

McNabb started the game with an off target pass, but immediately settled down and led the Eagles to two straight touchdowns and their first two possessions. WR Jason Avant had a nice 3^rd down catch good for a 1^st down on his first reception of the 2008 season. TE LJ Smith showed what a nice Red Zone threat he can be with his first TD of the season.

On Defense, the Eagles looked strong right from the beginning. CB Asante Samuel and DE Darren Howard stood out with helping shut down the Rams offense.

2^nd Quarter:

The Eagles actually had to punt for the first time of the game into the 2^nd Quarter. The Rams QB Marc Bulger continued to look out of rhythm as the Eagles defense continued to frustrate him. RB Steven Jackson was basically taken out of the game, strategy wise with the Eagles jumping on the Rams early, 14-0. Quintin Demps stood out on special teams during punt coverage where he made two terrific plays downing a punt. CB Sheldon Brown put such a solid hit on Steven Jackson that it hurt me more than Jackson. Ouch! WR Hank Baskett scored on a huge 90 yard pass play as the Rams defense looked dazed and confused.

3^rd Quarter:

CB Asante Samuel “almost” scored more points than the Rams Offense did. He had a nice play where he broke on the ball and dropped a sure interception return for a TD. Rookie sensation DeSean Jackson was absolutely brilliant on a punt return, setting up an Eagles TD. FB Tony Hunt lined up as the half-back with DT Dan Klecko leading the way as the FB with Hunt punching it in for a TD.

4^th Quarter:

At 31-0, I was wondering why both the Eagles and the Rams still had their star players in. After the Eagles took a 38-0 lead, McNabb and the starters gave way to the 2^nd string so youngsters Kevin Kolb and company could get some reps in and give the starters a rest. The Rams finally put points on the board with a 46 yard field goal with 9 minutes left in the game.

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

Wrap Up:

• The Eagles had not one but two WRs over 100 yards receiving (DeSean Jackson & Hank Baskett).
• Westbrook had two TDs, one receiving and one rushing.
• Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid is now 4-6 on opening day games.
• The Eagles now travel to face the Dallas Cowboys next week on Monday Night Football.

Share This