Buffalo Sports
Miami mauled by Bills 38-17
By Art Wander
Dec 9, 2007, 19:16

DON’T GET ME STARTED on the surge by the Buffalo Bills, now a serious challenger for a playoff spot, after they erupted for 24 first period points to slap Miami with its 13th straight loss.

Are the Dolphins that harrible that they make the Bills lookd good? Or are the Bills making yet a late season charge as they did last year. You couldn't gauge anything from this game - except the Bills did win decisively.

The only issue after the opening kickoff was, "Will the Bills score before the first snowflakes begin pelting the turf." It didn't matter.

It's strange how the fortunes have changed. 30 years ago, the Dolphins were in the midst of using the Bills as a battering ram. In the enire decade of the 70s, Buffalo didn't win a game. 20 straight games - the Fish came out on top. Since then......it's been a different story.

I wonder if maybe Ralph should have petitioned the league to put the Bills into a division with Cleveland - Pittsburgh and the Jets. Cited at the time of realignment was the "rivalry" between the Bills and the Dolphins. It really doesn't exist as it did in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Oh well....it seems as if Buffalo can count on two wins against Miami each year.

That shouldn't take away from the offensive performance by Trent Edwards and company. They did what they need to do....beat the teams they should and they did.

With Tennessee losing its game, the Bills and the Titans are now at 7-6. Cleveland is just ahead of these teams BUT the Bills travel to the Mistake On The Lake next Sunday. A win against the Browns will give them the tie breaker edge should both teams finish with the same record. That will leave the final wild card spot to be competed between the Bills – Browns – and Titans heading into the final two weeks of the campaign.

The Bills were led by Trent Edwards 4 touchdown passes and the running of Marshawn Lynch and Freddie Jackson – both of them rushing for over 100 yards. The 4 touchdown passes were the most thrown by a Bills quarters since 2004 when Drew Bledsoe had the same number.

For Trent Edwards – this victory against the woeful Dolphins will certainly give him a shot of confidence. Though his numbers weren’t staggering, 11 of 23 for 165 yards, he controlled the game as the Bills nearly hit the 400 yard mark for the game (389.) His numbers would have been better if Parish didn’t drop a pair; Lee Evans another; and Robert Royal unable to hold on to another pair of catches.

As for the big yardage – give credit to the offensive line and the running of the latest NFL Dynamic Duo. Lynch carried the ball 23 times for 107 yards (longest run was 11.) When he got tired, in came the consistently great performer Freddie Jackson. Edwards handed the ball to him 15 times and he churned out 115 yards, including a 27-yard burst. It’s been 11 years since Buffalo had two backs gaining over 100 yards.

As the game was nearing its end, the thought crossed my mind: “I wonder how Lee Evans is feeling. After all Evans was a heavy campaigner for J.P. Losman and made his feelings known publicly. I wonder how he now feels after he snared two touchdown passes – including a long bomb that hit him in stride for his second score.” Maybe Evans will now come out and say that the Bills best chance to win is with Edwards at QB.

One thing about Edwards – he spreads the ball around, not looking for one target as Losman did in zeroing in on Evans. On this day, 6 different Bills were recipients with Royal and Reed clutching 3 apiece while Evans had the two catches for touchdowns, totaling 79 yards. Two of Royal;s catches were for touchdowns.

Mind you, heading into Cleveland will not be an easy chore. The Browns have a winning record and are playing well. The Dolphins truly are a woeful team – offensively and defensively. The Bills sacked Dolphins QBs 5 times, forcing Miami to turn the ball over four times.

Buffalo ended any thoughts the Dolphins would pose a challenge by hitting the visitors with 24 first period points to only 7 for Miami. Those 24 points in the opening period equaled the mark set 15 years ago. Thereafter, it seemed as if Steve Fairchild was playing it safe in the second half leading 31-7 at the intermission. The Dolphins were able to pull within a pair of touchdowns but Edwards came back with another score to hit Miami with its 13th loss (heading toward a winless season.)

If there was a negative it was Rian Lindell failing on a field goal try after setting the Bills all-time consecutive field goal mark with his 18th straight boot, eclipsing Steve Christie’s 17. His try for #19 was a 46-yarder that sailed wide of the posts.

The other eye-rubbing scenes happened with the Bills defense. The Bills, all year, had a defense that was bending but not breaking. This time, they bent and broke allowing a few big runs with the ball settling in the end zone.

Heading into the crucial match in Cleveland next Sunday, the Bills will need to do a better job of tackling.

Yet, they’ve won 6 of the last 8 and now have a huge opportunity to open up a lot of eyes who gave Buffalo no chance of even contending for a playoff berth. The win next Sunday is a huge MUST for Buffalo. If they lose, they will fall back with hardly much of a chance. Sweeping the last three games against the Browns – Eagles and Giants should get them into the playoff mix. Naturally eyes will be focusing on Tennessee (they lost Sunday) since Jacksonville is practically a shoo-in for at least the wild card.

So a big game ball has to go to Trent Edwards who managed the game very well while Lynch and Jackson certainly will give opposing defensive coordinators something to think about.

Buffalo is over the .500 mark in the middle of December. Who would have though it after the first three games of the season. They can finish at 10-6 which would be a tremendous accomplishment. As of now – savor the victory and look forward to the Browns game on Don’t Get Me Started.


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