Halfway through the second quarter of yesterday's game in Orchard Park, Buffalo journalist Jerry Sullivan (often quoted in this blog over the years) sarcastically tweeted "And they say soccer is boring". This was in reference to the game's first ten possessions which ended in punts - most of the way to the total of 14 punts in the game. The wet, snowy and breezy wintry weather was responsible for some of the offensive ineptitude but I chalk it up far more to two dominant defences. The Bills were able to find the end zone twice as part of four consecutive scoring drives which spanned the second, third and fourth quarters. An NFL classic it was not and both teams can lay claim to having played well enough to win the game. But the Bills defence made things difficult and extremely painful for the Jets and quarterback Mike White.
Not that anyone was questioning Mike White's toughness before the game, but as Tony Romo pointed out in the broadcast, no one will be now. White took several shots to the right side of his ribs, had to leave the game twice and was taken to a local hospital after the game as a precaution before rejoining his teammates for the flight home. Despite the violence of the hits on White, they were all clean and legal hits which generated no penalties. Matt Milano's hit in particular was so jarring to watch in slow motion as White's body contorted and "rag-dolled" before he went down and out of the game. It was hard to watch. I wondered if most quarterbacks would have turned turtle rather than standing in there, delivering the pass and taking the Milano hit (and others). I admire his bravery. He may be wondering this morning if it was worth it.
Statistically, the Bills offensive performance was anemic at best with 232 yards in total offence and 14 first downs. The league's best team on third down coming in, they went 2 for 13 yesterday. Stat lines like that are rarely seen for the winning team but the Jets didn't fare much better with 309 total yards and 19 first downs, many of which came on third and long conversions. The Jets dominated the time of possession too but fumbled the ball away twice in the second half while the Bills didn't give it away once. The defence stepped up on the Jets final possession, forcing four consecutive incompletions in the final minute of play. It was a nail-biter for Bills fans but, as the saying goes, good teams find many different ways to win.
The history of conflict between England and France is obviously a long one with no less than 20 wars between the two from the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century to the death of Napoleon in 1821. The present day 200 years of peace didn't come close to ending on Saturday in Qatar but English fans probably felt like they had lost another war to France. The two countries had only met in World Cup play twice before with England winning both times - in 1966 (when England won it's only championship) and in 1982. Poor Harry Kane. After the English striker tied the game early in the second half on a penalty kick, he had another chance late in the game to tie it again (or "bring it level" as the soccer term goes) but he fired the ball over the net. The French keeper guessed correctly by moving to his right and may well have saved it had it been below the crossbar but we will never know.
The soccer penalty shot is indeed a fascinating event although a tough way to decide a game. I have seen goals scored when the shooter goes for the middle of the net, firing the ball directly at the spot from which the goalie has just moved, having guessed either right or left. It seems like a good strategy unless the goalie shares the same strategy and decides not to move away from the centre of the net. It feels like success or failure on a penalty shot is as much luck as it is skill. Harry Kane's luck had run out and France moves to the semi-final against Morocco. A France v. Argentina Final would be good and I gather is considered quite likely.
The Miami Dolphins are probably just arriving home as write this at 6am Monday morning. After losing two games on the west coast, they have a short week of practice before flying to Buffalo on Friday (NFL teams always travel the day before game day) for an 8.15pm Saturday night kick-off . The contrast between the weather in southern California (and south Florida) and the dark, cold and hostile environment of Bills Stadium in western New York will present a massive challenge for the Dolphins. The Bills lost in Miami in sweltering September heat in week three so it seems just to play the rematch in opposite conditions. As long as the Bills keep winning, they will hold on to the first seed in the AFC.
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