Week 12: Bills Get Dominating Win Over Division Rival
Total team effort gives Buffalo something to smile about.
by Steve Saslow

Here are our position by position grades:

Quarterback:

Kyle Orton was rock solid as he completed 75% of his passes on hitting 24 of 32 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He struggled early with is accuracy but made the plays when he had to.
Grade A: Orton holds on to the job for at least another week.

Running Backs:

Fred Jackson seemed slowed a bit with his ongoing groin injury. He finished with just 10 carries for 32 yards and three catches for 13 yards.
Bryce Brown had six carries for 20 yards as he was a non factor.
Boobie Dixon played some fullback in this game with Frank Summers inactive but had a great 30 yard touchdown run on his way to leading the team with 54 yards rushing on 12 carries
Grade C: Just had 106 yards rushing from this unit but that's decent against a very good run defense.

Receivers:

Sammy Watkins struggled again as he was targeted just five times and had three catches for 35 yards including a big catch on a touchdown drive.
Robert Woods had a monster game as he was targeted a game high 11 times and had 9 catches for 118 yards including four unbelievable highlight catches and a score.
Chris Hogan had just two catches for five yards.
Scott Chandler was called for a false start penalty in the red zone but made it up for it with a touchdown reception as he finished with three catches for 38 yards.
Lee Smith had a 12 yard catch.
Chris Gragg had two catches for 11 yards before leaving the game with a knee injury.
Grade C: Besides Woods they struggled as a group.

Offensive Line:

Erik Pears was called for holding on the Bills second series.
Grade B: Orton was sacked just once and they did average four yards a carry against a great run defense.

Defensive Line:

Mario Williams finished with another two sacks as he continues his monster season.
Jerry Hughes had two sacks and five tackles.
Marcell Dareus got good pressure that forced a sack.
Kyle Williams got a sack but was quiet most of the game.
Grade A: Had five sacks as they continue to be the best DL in the league.

Linebackers:

Brandon Spikes Wasn't much involved in the gameplan as he had two tackles.
Nigel Bradham led the team with eight tackles.
Preston Brown had a quiet five tackles.
Grade B: Didn't do too much but didn't have to do too much.

Secondary:

Stephon Gilmore was beaten by Eric Decker for what would have been a TD late in the first half but the pass was dropped. Did fine in coverage otherwise.
Corey Graham knocked away a pass in the first half forcing the Jets to settle for a field goal. He should have picked the pass off which would have allowed a possible shutout.
Nickell Robey knocked down a pass and got a sack.
Aaron Williams was quiet with just two tackles.
Duke Williams had a big interception to setup a short touchdown run.
Da'Norris Searcy had three tackles.
Grade A: Allowed just 165 yards passing in a rout.

Special Teams:

Colton Schmidt averaged 46.5 yards on four punts with one inside the 20.
Dan Carpenter hit his lone field goal attempt from 53 yards out and all five extra points.
Fred Jackson returned a punt for five yards.
Marcus Easley had a 13 yard kickoff return.
Coverage Units gave up a 41 yard punt return, Manny Lawson made a TD saving tackle. They gave up 90 yards on six kickoff returns and 42 yards on three punt returns.
Grade B: Did their job in the rout.

Coaching:

Doug Marrone had his team ready to play under very tough circumstances. There routine was shattered but they still found a way to win.
Nathaniel Hackett had a good gameplan as they cured their red zone woes.
Jim Schwartz had his second triumphant return to Detroit this season as the defense dominated once again.
Grade A: Fantastic job of coaching under extreme circumstances.



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