Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) jumps to avoid a tackle during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beat Green Bay 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills are in the fight of their most recent life, as this is the first time that the Bills have played a meaningful December game in a very long time. The Bills are looking for a winning record for the first time since 2004 and a playoff birth for the first time in 14 years.
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A win over the Green Bay Packers would help their cause. They would also need more help from other NFL teams within the AFC but without a win, it would all be lost.
The Green Bay Packers came into town with what could arguably be the best quarterback in the league leading the best offense in the league. If the Bills were to win, the defense would have to stand on their heads and win it for the Bills because the offense has been lacking for most of the season.
The defense did just that. For the second week in a row, the Bills defense limited a top tier quarterback to 0 TD and 2 interceptions. The defense didn’t stop their and were able to seal the deal with a late fumble that turned into a safety with less than 2 minutes left in the game on Green Bay’s final drive of the game.
To add to this, the special teams for the Bills converted the other 19 points for the Bills. Marcus Thigpen return a punt for 75 yards for a touchdown and Dan Carpenter converted 4 other fields to round out the scoring.
The offense was the weak point of the team again. They were inconsistent in moving the ball and were unable to finish drives, especially late in the game. Kyle Orton may have slightly better numbers for the Bills than EJ Manuel does, but Orton in no way came close to winning that game for the Bills. One play in particular, sticks out in my mind. It was 3rd and 5 and the Bills were driving in the 4th quarter. The Bills picked a pass play, but the one time that they should look to check down and dump it off to get the first down, they don’t. Orton throws that ridiculous fade pass up the sideline and was no where close. This is the one throw I can not stand at any point, with our quarterbacks. Neither of them can make this pass and half the time it looks like they are just lofting the ball up with no regard.
I don’t mind Kyle Orton at quarterback, but better choices need to be made. He does improve his record and will get credit for the win, but by no means did he add to the score for this game. No one on the offense did. I would have to say that Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown and Boobie Dixon were the offensive players that probably had the biggest impact on the game. They were able to move the ball.
Either way, good, bad or the ugly, the Bills pulled out the biggest upset on the day and are still in the playoff race. They will still need a lot of help, but being 8-6 is the biggest help at this point. We will take a look at the playoff race a little bit more into the week.