I don't think that Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw the ball down field even once during yesterday's game in Cincinnati. It felt infuriating to me at times - partly because the Bills passing attack just wasn't there yesterday and partly because watching on TV, the down field coverage can't be seen. But I kept wanting him to throw it deep anyway. Surely one receiver can get open, I thought. Give one of them a chance to make a play, I said to myself as the wind and snow pelted against the cottage windows. But, in keeping with his instinct to protect the ball, Taylor threw only short passes, did plenty of scrambling and relied on a formidable running game and his team's defense which played very well yesterday, especially in the second half.
The Bills ran for 183 yards yesterday while Taylor's passing statistics looked weak at 19 for 27 for 159 yards and one interception. The interception was a poor decision to be sure but hardly disastrous as it gave the Bengals the ball at their own one yard line. The defense held the Bengals to 93 yards rushing and 300 yards in total. It was a hard-fought but exceedingly frustrating game to watch as the ineptitude of the Bills passing game persisted. But a win is a win and a loss would have almost ended any playoff hopes the team has, however slim they might be.
I have no data to back this up but it feels like there have been more injuries in the league this year than in previous years. Yesterday was no exception as Cincinnati star receiver AJ Green went down with a hamstring on the first series and is likely gone for the season. Then, Bills receiver Robert Woods went out with a knee and LeSean McCoy left the game with a dislocated thumb. Add those injuries to the loss of centre Eric Wood two weeks ago, not to mention Sammy Watkins who really hasn't played this year at all with an ailing foot. The injury to the Panthers Luke Kuechly on Thursday night drew attention as his teary reaction to another concussion brought the issue of head injuries to the surface once again.
Now at 5-5, the Bills have what looks to be an easy game next week against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park before heading to Oakland the following week to face the resurgent Raiders. Then, 3 straight home games against the Steelers, Browns and Dolphins before closing out the season at the Meadowlands against the Jets. 10-6 usually gets you in to the playoffs. Its a steep hill to climb but not out of the question.
Besides the Bills game next weekend, there are three other games I will be watching - two to be played on Canadian soil and the other south of the border. In chronological order, the first is on Saturday at noon and features the No.3 ranked Michigan Wolverines facing the No.2 Ohio State Buckeyes at the Horseshoe in Columbus. The annual end-of-season rivalry game has more riding on it this year than it has since probably 2003. Michigan has not won in Columbus since 2000. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the 4 team college football playoff and the loser will likely miss out.
Next up is the Vanier Cup, the Canadian University football championship game, at Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton on Saturday at 1pm between the Laval Rouge et Or and the Calgary Dinosaurs. And, on Sunday the 104th Grey Cup kicks off at 6.30pm at BMO Field in Toronto between the Ottawa Redblacks and the Calgary Stampeders. Canadian football fans in Calgary have two good reasons to travel to southern Ontario next weekend. I don't think that they will need to worry about getting tickets for either game.
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