Buffalo Bills Midseason Report Card

The Buffalo Bills had very high hopes going into the 2012 NFL season. They had signed free agent defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. The front line also featured two-time Pro Bowl tackle Kyle Williams and last season's number 3 overall pick Marcell Dareus. The Bills had also used their 1st round pick on impressive rookie Stephon Gilmore. Many had projected that this would be the best defense the Bills have had in years. To date, this has not held up.

The Buffalo Bills front office seems to have a lot of faith in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick had a great start to the 2011 season and was awarded with a $59 million contract. This season, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been very up and down. All in all, he has definitely regressed, not showing the accuracy and awareness he showed one season ago. Through 8 games of the regular season, Fitzpatrick has yet to complete a pass thrown over 30 yards. I give him a C- for the season, to date.

The Bills have had one bright spot this season. Their running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller have been very good. Jackson was injured in the first game of the season and Spiller stepped in. He put up huge numbers in games where was the solo running back. He currently leads the league in yards per carry. Fred Jackson has also been very good when he has touched the ball. The one problem is that the Bills do not get these two the ball enough. Despite sometimes not getting the ball as often as they should, I give them an A.

The Bills wide receivers have only been as good as the quarterback. Stevie Johnson has been slightly injured all season, but has still been the Bills best receiver. Donald Jones has been okay. T.J. Graham has been okay, but Fitzpatrick cannot get him the ball on a deep ball. David Nelson is out for the season. Overall, I give them a C+.

The offensive line has been solid. Cordy Glenn seems to be a good addition, although he was injured. Eric Wood and Andy Levitre are playing very well and have remained healthy. Eric Pears and Craig Urbik both have been hurt this season. I give the line a B, as they have done a good job in both pass protection and run protection.

After signing free agent defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, Bills fans got excited. The front line also features two-time Pro Bowl tackle Kyle Williams and last season's number 3 overall pick Marcell Dareus. However, the defensive line is getting very little pressure by themselves and they have consistently given up 100 yard running backs. I give the line a C+.

The linebackers are a wreck. The linebackers cannot plug run gaps. They cannot rush the passer. They cannot tackle. They cannot cover tight ends. Whether it be rookies like Nigel Bradham or veterans like Nick Barnett, the group has struggled. I give them a C-.

The secondary is not much better. Stephon Gilmore has been okay, but not great. Aaron Williams and Leodis McKelvin have been consistenly getting beat. George Wilson in the secondary has been below average. The only player playing will in the secondary would be Jariyus Byrd, who has a few interceptions. I would give the secondary a C.

Overall, the Bills are greatly underachieving and need to go on a bit winning streak, which would include wins over teams with a winning record. If the Bills do end up missing the playoffs, they must get a quarterback in the upcoming draft. This is their main concern. I would give the Bills a C- for where they are at this season.

Tim Tebow Mania Sweeps the World

Tim Tebow is arguably the greatest college football of all time, however when he entered the NFL, he was highly criticized for his playing style and abilities. Not being a classic pocket passer, Tim Tebow is forced to play the game with his legs, imagination, will and leadership. Tebow is a devout Christian, third-world missionary, and truly puts his life in the hands of God. This is much of the mystique around Tebow, and that has grown over the course of his first NFL season as starting quarterback.

Tebow took over for the Denver Broncos when the team was 1-4 and clearly out of the playoff picture. However, Tebow found ways to win football games, despite putting up bad statistics. Going into today, Tebow was 7-1 as a starter, including 6 4th quarter or overtime victories. Many people find that much of the reason he wins these games is because of his faith. On an NFL Films video, Tebow was seen singing "Our God is an Awesome God" during pregame warmups, even during the game. Trailing late he would bring Denver back, almost miraculously, to win another game. The magic of Tebow lives on.

One thing that is sweeping the nation is the act of "Tebowing". Tebowing is Tebow's celebration, where he drops to one knee and puts his fist to his head. The Broncos games are now the #1 game every week. In this weeks game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, it was Tebow who was the showcase quarterback instead of Brady, who is a worldwide star. Time will tell high deep Tebow-mania will go. I said on draft day that I thought Tebow would be a hall of fame quarterback and revolutionize the position. I hope I am right.

Cowboys Kill Buffalo 44-7

The 5-4 Buffalo Bills dropped their second straight game with a 44-7 loss to the 5-4 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a tough time getting the ball out in the contest, as he completed 20 out of 31 passes for 146 yards for one touchdown and three interceptions.  On the ground, Fred Jackson ran 13 times for 114 yards and had one fumble lost.


It was an ugly performance by the Bills, who got killed by Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray. Romo went 23 for 26 with 270 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. The game was over for all intensive purposes in the first half. Romo did not even throw a pass in the 4th quarter. Murray was sensational, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown.


The Bills season is not over, but they may now have to finish the season 5-2 in their last 7 games to make the playoffs. They will meet the 2-7 Miami Dolphins next week in Miami.

Jets get victory in first matchup of season against Bills

Mark Sanchez threw a touchdown to Santonio Holmes, and the New York Jets' sturdy defense forced three turnovers in a 27-11 win over the Buffalo Bills in a key AFC East midseason showdown Sunday.
Sanchez's 8-yard pass to Holmes with 3:27 left in the third quarter helped blow open the game as the Jets (5-3) won their third straight - and first on the road - to move into a tie with the Bills (5-3). LaDainian Tomlinson also scored on a 1-yard dive in the second half, three plays after Jim Leonhard recovered Fred Jackson's fumble.
The Jets' defense sealed the win in the first minute of the fourth quarter when Calvin Pace and Bart Scott combined to stop Jackson on fourth-and-inches at the New York 15.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions before adding a mean-nothing touchdown with 3:14 left in Buffalo's first home loss.

Jets defeat Bills 27-11

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots

The Buffalo Bills have dropped 15 straight games to the New England Patriots, but look to stop the streak at home on Sunday. The Bills are coming off wins against the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots are coming off wins against the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers. The Bills currently are the highest scoring team in the NFL. Tom Brady, arguably the best quarterback in the NFL, perhaps even all-time, has been picking defenses apart in the first 2 games. He has thrown for nearly 1000 yards in 2 games and 7 touchdowns compared to just 1 interception. Ryan Fitzpatrick, as great as he has played, matching Brady's 7 touchdowns and 1 interception, has thrown for approximately half the yards the Brady has. The Bills also enter the game with the NFL's leading rusher, Fred Jackson, who has run for over yards in each of his first 2 games. New England's run game is led by Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, who are almost a thunder and lightning type pair. The Patriots will be without Patrick Chung and Aaron Hernandez. The Bills will be without

Brady is incredibly effective out of the no huddle, but without Hernandez, it will be more difficult for him to find open receivers. Fitzpatrick has been very good as well, and he will need his top receiver Stevie Johnson to be at full strength in order to win this game. While I think the Bills will put up a good fight early, I think in the end the Patriots will prevail 34-21. I am expecting a very good effort by the Bills, but not enough to defeat the mighty Patriots.

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