Dec. 9, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) gets tackled by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Nick Barnett (50) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. St. Louis beats Buffalo 15 to 12. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
And once again the Bills somehow find a way to lose. Thanks to a long drive towards the end of the 4th quarter the Rams took their first and only lead of the day. They would hold on for the victory, dropping the Bills to 5-8.
Statistically the Bills dominated the first half, however they only managed six points. There were a few miscues, including a Fred Jackson fumble near the redzone. That being said the defense was playing like they have of late, getting pressure on Sam Bradford. Mario Williams recorded his tenth sack of the year.
The second half saw the Bills and Rams get their first touchdowns of the day. The Bills score was a nice goal line pass to tightend Lee Smith to answer St. Louis’s long drive to the endzone. However the team missed the extra point due to a fumbled snap by holder Shawn Powell. The Bills had the lead, but only by a 12-7 margin.
The Bills defense couldn’t stop the Rams when it counted, and St. Louis capped off a long drive late in the game with a 13 yard pass to Brandon Gibson. The Bills had 49 seconds left, but couldn’t convert as the game ended with a wounded duck interception by Ryan Fitzpatrick. The loss all but ends the Bills playoff hopes, with the Bills best possible record being 8-8.
Chan Gailey had numerous questionable calls during the day. At the end of the first half he decided to let time run down for a field goal instead of taking a shot at the endzone. With thirty seconds left at the 15 yard line he ran a draw play. Speaking of running, C.J. Spiller only had eight carries. He recorded 37 yards on those runs. Fred Jackson, who was carted off late in the game with an injury, had nine carries for only 14 yards.
Fitzpatrick went 25 for 33 for 247 and a touchdown and interception. Stevie Johnson and Scott Chandler each had solid games, both with 71 yards receiving. T.J. Graham and Donald Jones both had 33 yards through the air. Mario Williams’s sack was the only quarterback takedown all game.
Bradford threw for 209 yards and a touchdown and interception. The Bills were for the most part able to stop Stephen Jackson, holding him to just 64 yards. Gibson had an excellent day for the Rams, catching six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills next play the Seattle Seahawks up in Toronto. Before we close things out for today we’ll look at the Bills most and least valuable players of the day.
MVP: Scott Chandler- Chandler had a very solid day as the Rams had a difficult time matching up with his size. His 71 yard day was his best of the year.
LVP: Stephon Gilmore and Fred Jackson- I had a hard time narrowing it down to one, but with the way this game went I’m sure no one will mind too much. Today was certainly Gilmore’s worst outing as a Bill, leaving many wide receivers wide open throughout the day. He also took yet another penalty, which is becoming a problem. He’s having a good rookie year, but today just wasn’t his day. Fred Jackson averaged only 1.6 yards a carry but still got more rushes than Spiller. The fact that Jackson being injured will likely help the Bills shows how poor this season has gone for him.