Browns top Bills in blizzard conditions
After taking the job at Colorado State University, some thought Buffalo offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild would resign. Instead, he promised to stay committed and finish the season.
Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, as the play calling was abysmal in an 8-0 loss in Cleveland. Fairchild wouldn’t do anything but run the ball up until Buffalo’s final drive. On the drive, Trent Edwards got the Bills in position to score and faced a fourth and five, from the Cleveland 10 with 15 seconds left.
For some reason, he called a screen to Fred Jackson that went for no gain with the season on the line. In the snow, it’s hard for linemen to move out in front of the play. Additionally, why wouldn’t you at least attempt a pass that is five yards deep if not going for the end zone?
Otherwise, two amazing kicks from Phil Dawson, solid running by Jamal Lewis and a bad snap by Ryan Neill killed Buffalo’s season.
In the first quarter, Cleveland got a drive start at its own 42, due to a poor punt by Brian Moorman. Special teams were a key part of the game and Buffalo simply couldn’t deal with the poor weather conditions. The field was covered with snow and harsh winds rushed through Cleveland Browns Stadium.
A freak catch by Joe Jurevicius that deflected off Braylon Edwards went for 25-yards, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Dawson. The winds made the kick hook like I’ve never seen before, but it snuck through.
The Bills got down to the Cleveland 22, thanks to a 29-yard scamper by Marshawn Lynch. But facing a fourth and 12 at the 24-yard-line, facing the wind, Buffalo went for it and failed with a fade route to Josh Reed.
At the start of the second quarter, Buffalo looked to punt from its own 24, but Ryan Neill’s snap sailed over Moorman’s head and he was forced to kick it through the end zone for a safety.
Near the end of the half, Cleveland’s drive stalled out at the Buffalo 31 and facingg a fourth and 10, lined up to kick a field goal. I thought they would pooch punt, but Dawson unleashed an amazing kick. It cut through the wind and barely cleared the crossbar, hitting the support beam like in the Ravens game.
That gave Cleveland an 8-0 lead and it was all they needed.
Buffalo didn’t threaten again until the fourth quarter. With 7:43 to go, Edwards threw a pass to a wide-open Michael Gaines over the middle, but it hit him in the hands and fell to the snow. If he caught it, he might’ve scored a touchdown.
On the final drive, Buffalo had 1:51 of clock and 70 yards to go without any timeouts. Trent Edwards completed a 20-yard pass to Josh Reed, another 20-yarder to Lee Evans on fourth down. But at the critical time, Fairchild called the screen to Jackson ending the game.
The Browns were the better team, they weren’t afraid to throw the ball in the snow, while Buffalo seemed timid.
Buffalo, now 7-7, is out of the playoff race, while Cleveland likely secured the final wild card spot. It’s been a fun season watching this wounded Buffalo team refuse to give up. Hopefully, Edwards will continue gaining experience and the momentum can carry over into next year.
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5 Responses to “Browns top Bills in blizzard conditions”
December 17th, 2007 at 11:16 am
I wish Steve Fairchild had followed Bobby Petrino’s exit plan, and just left after getting the job at CSU. His play calling was horrible. Cleveland just lined up 8 in the box and basically dared Buffalo to pass the ball. Combine that with poor run blocking by the offensive line and you get zero points scored. Zero. “Mr. Blutarsky… zero point zero…”
I always thought it was funny when the media would give Buffalo an ‘advantage’ when snow and cold were a factor. Look at where these guys are from, and where they went to school… Texas, California, Florida… Even the Cleveland guys Whittner and Evans didn’t want to be out there. At least no one was saying ‘where’s Losman?’
Let’s whip up on the Giants next week and make Eli cry.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
The playcalling was very weak, but its been like that all year! Why would it be any different in a freakin’ blizzard? I actually think the playcalling wasn’t too skewed towards the run, Edwards sailed ALOT of passes early on in that game which made Fairchild even more gunshy to let it rip. The only thing I would blame Fairchild for is the freakin’ SCREEN PASS ON 4TH DOWN IN A BLIZZARD WITH THE SEASON ON THE LINE!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME????
It just sucks our season had to end on a game like that, where wheater played a more important factor than the players themselves… And I really think Edwards showed something on that last drive; the kid seems to have that “it” quality. He knows how to lead and other players respond well to him . I mean, he was what, 6 yards away from completing a 70 yard drive in 1:50 in a freakin blizzard! This loss was brutal, but I am extremely excited about this teams future…
December 17th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I agree Chermo, though I feel the run blocking did the best they could against the 8-9 man fronts. Cleveland knew they were running so they did a good job in getting Marshawn the yards they did.
I hope Fairchild is relieved of his duties today.
As far as the weather advantage, Buffalo will learn to be a cold weather team. It took the Jim Kelly Bills a while to play well in snow. Some decent play calling might’ve been the difference today.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Don, I know Edwards was inaccurate, but you still have to at least try to pass the ball to give the running game a chance. And yes, the screen pass was the worst call in a long time.
As for Trent’s future he definitely showed me something on that drive.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Don,
You weren’t bothered by 2 runs on third and long in the 4th quarter, including one with 4 min left? I was blown away. With the season on the line, you aren’t even willing to try to win?
The first half was bad too if for no other reason than it allowed the browns to load the box for the rest of the game. We couldn’t do that on defense, and it led to a huge game for JLew.
All around piss-poor performance by the coaches. If you don’t want to throw the ball downfield, then get the backs and TEs involved. 33 passes for Edwards gives the idea that we passed a lot, but we only did so in the 2nd half, and still didn’t at crucial times.
A great season nonetheless, and hopefully one we can build on for next year.
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