N.Y. Jets at Buffalo Bills
by 
David Kindervater on September 30th, 2007
NEW YORK JETS (1-2) @ BUFFALO BILLS (0-3)
September 30, 2007
Press Box Pregame Notes - It’s a postcard perfect day here in Western New York — sunny skies and the game time temp was just announced at 70°. While I am quite honestly tired of the winters around here, I must say — the fall weather is typically out of this world and today is a perfect example of that. The Bills are returning from two road games — two very difficult road games (losses to Pittsburgh 26-3 and New England 38-7) — so they’re looking for their first win today. They’ve also been decimated with injuries, especially on defense where they’ve lost four starters and more key reserves. One of the latest casualties on offense is starting quarterback J.P. Losman. His sprained knee has resulted in rookie QB Trent Edwards’ first start today, so it will be interesting to see what Trent can do with a week of prep. Another note of interest: All-Pro DE Aaron Schobel and All-Pro P Brian Moorman will each play their 100th games with the Bills today.
1st Quarter - Trent Edwards is off to a great start. The rookie QB was 7 of 8 for 73 yards with his only incompletion a drop by Lee Evans. Lee made up for it with a great, leaping 22-yard catch a few plays later. The Bills had a nice seven-play drive going until TE Robert Royal fumbled after a catch on the Jets’ 38-yard-line. Both defenses are playing very well against the run.
2nd Quarter - The Bills started running with a purpose in a drive that started from their own three. Marshawn Lynch had carries of four, eight and 11 yards. And Trent continued to throw the ball well completing passes to three different receivers, including another 22-yarder, this one perfectly placed to Josh Reed. The drive stalled after a sack took the Bills out of field goal range — then a questionable defensive pass interference non-call and a dropped pass. Trent would later throw an INT in the endzone that I thought Lee Evans should have put up more of a fight for. Nevertheless, the Jets would not capitalize as K Mike Nugent missed a 37-yard field goal off the right upright as time expired and the Bills celebrated heading into the locker room. No score for either team at the half.
3rd Quarter - The Bills’ D forced a quick three-and-out with a great defensive stand to start the quarter. I like the way Jabari Greer stuck his nose in there along with a host of others including Angelo Crowell who is piling up the tackles. It was on the next drive that the two rookies (Trent and Marshawn) took control and got the Bills up 7-0. Trent was 4 of 4 and Marshawn carried the ball six times, the final one a 10-yard run hauling defenders with him into the endzone. I can’t say enough about what a determined runner he is. Rookie or not, Marshawn Lynch is a force. The Jets would later tie the game at 7-7 on a seven-play, 78-yard drive.
4th Quarter -Jabari Greer made another fine play and at the time, a game-changing play, with an INT of Chad Pennington at the Jets’ 27-yard-line. The ensuing drive is where the Bills won the football game. On a 4th and 1 from the Jets’ one, rather than attempting a field goal which would have given them a six point lead, Coach Jauron not only went for it, but he called a play-action pass to Michael Gaines for the TD. That was a really gutsy call and it proved to be the difference. Terrence McGee iced this game with his sideline INT with 11 seconds left at the Bills’ 31-yard-line.
Final Thoughts: My Game Ball goes to Trent Edwards. For a rookie to step into the starting QB role and go 22 of 28 for 234 yards was outstanding. I was very impressed with the way he handled every aspect of the game. He really looks in control out there, he made precision throws (for the most part) and he managed the game very well. In his postgame presser, Coach Jauron did not say the QB job was J.P.’s when he was healthy. You can take from that what you will, but as long as Trent is playing like this, you can count on him staying in there ….. The “National Anthem” by country music recording artist Diane Chase was just fantastic ….. The play that got the biggest laugh in the press box was Jets’ RB Leon Washington on a punt return. He fielded the punt, started running and then waved off defenders with a pseudo fair catch signal ….. Paid attendance was 70,600.
PODCAST: BPR Home Team Edition Chris Kelsay
Tags: Buffalo Bills, N.Y. Jets| 2.5 |
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POSTED IN: Buffalo Bills, N.Y. Jets
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