Gameball, Unsung Hero, and Grades on Bills Week 3 Win
Wow! That’s really all you can say about the Buffalo Bills Week 3 win against the Oakland Raiders to improve to 3-0. To be honest with everyone, the Bills had no right to win this game, but that is why they play the whole 60 minutes. Trent Edwards and crew went on a 4th quarter rally with a little more than 6 minutes left in the game that was ended with Rian Lindell’s 38 yard field goal to win it.
So who do I have for my “Unsung Hero”? Who receives the gameball? How did the Bills do overall in my eyes? Keep the page scrolling for the answers.
GRADES on Bills
Running Game: B
Marshawn Lynch led the ground game with 83 yards and 2 TDs. Fred Jackson in his limited role averaged almost 5 yards a carry on his 5 attempts in the game. The ground game stuttered at times, but when they were really needed they stepped up. Lynch also had some strong carries to help set up the winning field goal.
Passing Game: B+
Another strong 4th quarter helped bump this grade up. Edwards came through when needed though and was the main reason the Bills scored 17 points in the final quarter.
Run Defense: A
The run defense also got a boost in the grade due to their late game heroics. They also very quietly held a strong running game to under 100 yards.
Pass Defense: B-
The defense held the Raiders to 72 yards passing, before the 4th quarter strike from JaMarcus Russel to Higgins that went for 84 yards. The Raiders only threw the ball 3 times in the 2nd half!
Special Teams: C
Two weeks in a row the special teams have been sub par. Lindell did win the game, BUT the rest of the time they were horrible. Kick and punt coverage were both awful. If it wasn’t for the last second field goal, this squad might have received a F.
Coaching: B+
The offense made adjustments all game, and the defense played great. Another hard fought win for this Bills squad. They are really playing hard under Head Coach Dick Jauron.
GAMEBALL
QB Trent Edwards. He is the winner of the gameball two weeks in a row now. How can you argue with this pick though? Edwards finished the game 24 of 39, 279 yards and 1 TD and 1 INT to go along with 9 yards on the ground. The 4th quarter is where he won this award though, when he threw for 177 yards on 13 of 18 throwing including a TD pass to Roscoe Parrish. This is now the 2nd week in a row, Edwards has led 4th quarter comebacks and the Bills start 3-0 for the first time since 1992.
UNSUNG HERO
WR Josh Reed. Reed was the leading receiver for this game with his 6 catches for 72 yards. Edwards looked for him when the game mattered most and Reed helped move the chains. Sure he will not get the attention of go to guy Lee Evans, or the game changing Roscoe Parrish, but Reed has turned into a solid possession guy. Edwards looks for him on 3rd downs and Reed has some very sure hands. I remember a few years ago when Reed couldn’t catch and I would want to pull my hair out watching him play. Now he has turned into a solid threat. Who would’ve thought that? He wins the unsung hero award for this week.
