Week 16: Bills Awful In All Aspects Of Rout
A story we have written far too often against Pats.
by Steve Saslow

Here are our position by position grades:

Quarterback:

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 251 yards in tough weather conditions. That was more than offset by two fumbles and three interceptions.
Grade F: Maybe they do need to draft a QB afterall?

Running Backs:

Fred Jackson was the only one who came to play. He ran for 81 yards on just 13 carries.
C.J. Spiller made a really nice sideline catch in first quarter for 41 yards. He also lost two fumbles and did little else but did have 30 yards on six carries.
Grade B: Only unit to do anything but couldn't be used enough in rout.

Receivers:

Stevie Johnson couldn't pull in Fitzpatrick's first two passes in the end zone. He should have got both feet in bounds on first pass and had a chance to pull in the 2nd throw. He caught five of 10 passes thrown his way for just 58 yards.
Donald Jones had 54 yards on five carries including a few really nice acrobatic catches.
David Nelson didn't catch a pass before leaving with a rib injury.
Naaman Roosevelt had four catches for 74 yards.
Grade D: Could have done more to help the offense.

Offensive Line:

Mansfield Wrotto had a big holding penalty on a broken play that brought back a 17 yard shovel pass.
Andy Levitre had a false start penalty. He is making about one a week.
Grade C: Only gave up two sacks but didn't do enough to give the offense a chance to succeed.

Defensive Line:

Kyle Williams was quiet with four tackles.
Marcus Stroud was quiet once again as well with four tackles.
Alex Carrington had a tackle.
Spencer Johnson had five tackles.
Grade F: Did nothing to slow down New England's passing attack.

Linebackers:

Chris Kelsay had a sack.
Paul Posluszny was burned by Gutkowksi on opening bomb but it fell incomplete. Then he was burned by Crumpler for a touchdown.
Akin Ayodele was all over the field. He had 17 tackles.
Arthur Moats only had two tackles.
Grade F: Awful game for this unit in pass coverage and run stopping.

Secondary:

Drayton Florence was good in pass coverage defending three passes and having five tackles.
Jairus Byrd had eight tackles.
Donte Whitner had twelve tackles but was carried for extra yards a couple of times.
Grade C: Brady didn't beat them through the air too often but did for three scores.

Special Teams:

Brian Moorman had two punts for 68 yards and no returns for a 34 yard net and gross average.
Rian Lindell hit his only kick, a 26 yard field goal.
C.J. Spiller had five kickoff returns for a 16.8 yard average.
Naaman Roosevelt had two kick returns for 31 yards.
Coverage Units allowed 39 yards on two kickoff returns.
Grade C: Had nothing to do with the loss but didn't help.

Coaching:

Chan Gailey came out running successfully on the opening drive. He then called three straight passes. They just weren't ready to get over the big hump that is the Patriots
George Edwards A big step back for his defense. They had no answers to stop the running game.
Bruce DeHaven His units weren't a factor good or bad.
Grade F: Bad play calling in the loss.



Bills Blitz
NFL.com Gamebook
Patriots Game Preview
Gameday Homepage