Ingtar33
10-13-2002, 08:03 PM
Well, everything is all even again, as the Bills atoned for their home loss to the Raiders by squeaking out a win over the expansion Texans 31-24. Did I mention that the Texans were an expansion team? So maybe this win doesn't feel all that special considering how we came by it? So what if the Bills D is as porous as a sieve? Who cares if the Bills DBs made struggling (and fairly immobile) rookie D.Carr look like the second coming of... John Elway? The Bills are now 3-3, and could be playing for the division lead next week in Miami (if the Dolphins lose in Denver tonight). Here's hoping that week 1 loss to the Jets doesn’t loom large at the end of the season.
The Positives:
1) Drew leads the Bills from behind for the 3rd time this season, plays a fairly good game, and compiles some of his worst stats of the year at a pathetic 19 for 33, compiling a weak 254yards, with 2 TDs and 0 INTs, and a low 102.3 QBR. Yah, Drew still rules. Oh, before I forget, thanks NE for the QB.
2) Henry gains 159y rushing and 11yards receiving (170 total) with 2TDs. Too bad he fumbled again or he'd probably be up for player of the week.
3) The O-line (without M.Williams for most of the game) was able to buy Drew enough time, and open enough holes for Henry to help get us the win. Even though there was a considerable drop-off in play (by the line) without Williams, they still deserve props for doing just enough.
4) Special Teams and their coach Danny Smith deserve credit for all the work they've done to improve the unit. Special credit to C.Johnson for some good ST tackles, Moorman for some good punts, and Hollis for being next to automatic from most ranges.
5) Pat Williams was absolutely dominating all game, every play; my only question is, "Why did the coaches rotate him out at all?"
6) Gilbride for sticking with the run... I actually wish he ran more, as the Texans couldn't even slow down the running attack.
The Negatives:
1) Bills D gave up 24 points to a team which was averaging only 10.5 per game. They gave up 338yards of O to a team which was averaging only 198. They gave up 10yards per pass play, and 5.8 per play (in general). They sacked Carr just 5 times, when he was going down 7 times a game. This D didn't show any signs of improving... you have to wonder what the Bills coaches have been doing to improve this unit.
2) Watson, enough said.
3) Penalties, those darn boneheaded penalties!
4) No turnovers again... forget INTs, at this point I'll take a fumble, as the count is now at 4 weeks since our D forced a turnover.
5) The DBs made the Texans "impotent" passing attack look like it was on viagra, as Carr carved up the secondary for 218yards (I know this doesn't look like much, but when you consider that they've been gaining 98yards per game through the air, this looks fairly bad).
Conclusion
Well, the good news is that this was just the Houston Texans, because if this was the Miami Dolphins we would've been blown off the field playing like that. For 20mins the Bills slept walked there way through this game, and it was only when they found themselves down by 14 that they stirred themselves awake. This D needs to get better fast, as an effort like today will only spell disaster next week in Miami. On the bright side it was a win, even if it didn't feel like one.
The Positives:
1) Drew leads the Bills from behind for the 3rd time this season, plays a fairly good game, and compiles some of his worst stats of the year at a pathetic 19 for 33, compiling a weak 254yards, with 2 TDs and 0 INTs, and a low 102.3 QBR. Yah, Drew still rules. Oh, before I forget, thanks NE for the QB.
2) Henry gains 159y rushing and 11yards receiving (170 total) with 2TDs. Too bad he fumbled again or he'd probably be up for player of the week.
3) The O-line (without M.Williams for most of the game) was able to buy Drew enough time, and open enough holes for Henry to help get us the win. Even though there was a considerable drop-off in play (by the line) without Williams, they still deserve props for doing just enough.
4) Special Teams and their coach Danny Smith deserve credit for all the work they've done to improve the unit. Special credit to C.Johnson for some good ST tackles, Moorman for some good punts, and Hollis for being next to automatic from most ranges.
5) Pat Williams was absolutely dominating all game, every play; my only question is, "Why did the coaches rotate him out at all?"
6) Gilbride for sticking with the run... I actually wish he ran more, as the Texans couldn't even slow down the running attack.
The Negatives:
1) Bills D gave up 24 points to a team which was averaging only 10.5 per game. They gave up 338yards of O to a team which was averaging only 198. They gave up 10yards per pass play, and 5.8 per play (in general). They sacked Carr just 5 times, when he was going down 7 times a game. This D didn't show any signs of improving... you have to wonder what the Bills coaches have been doing to improve this unit.
2) Watson, enough said.
3) Penalties, those darn boneheaded penalties!
4) No turnovers again... forget INTs, at this point I'll take a fumble, as the count is now at 4 weeks since our D forced a turnover.
5) The DBs made the Texans "impotent" passing attack look like it was on viagra, as Carr carved up the secondary for 218yards (I know this doesn't look like much, but when you consider that they've been gaining 98yards per game through the air, this looks fairly bad).
Conclusion
Well, the good news is that this was just the Houston Texans, because if this was the Miami Dolphins we would've been blown off the field playing like that. For 20mins the Bills slept walked there way through this game, and it was only when they found themselves down by 14 that they stirred themselves awake. This D needs to get better fast, as an effort like today will only spell disaster next week in Miami. On the bright side it was a win, even if it didn't feel like one.