Published: November 18, 2008 01:43 am            

BILLS BY QUARTER: Against Cleveland

ESPN’s local flavor

Three members of ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew are Buffalo natives: Ron Jaworski, Colleen Lynch and Mike Szykowny. Szykowny designed the exclusive MNF graphics know as dashboard that are used on national telecasts.



Lynch carries the load

Marshawn Lynch’s first 100-yard rushing game of the season came in a heartbreaker. Lynch also caught his first career touchdown pass, part of a career-high 10 catches that went for 58 yards.



The scene

The sold-out crowd of 71,645 left cold and angry. Not many Browns jerseys in the crowd, either. At least the snow held off.



Podcast

Log on at 4 p.m. Wednesday to hear Bills beat writer Jay Skurski, sports editor Tim Schmitt and WKBW-TV Ch. 7 sports director Jeff Russo break down Monday’s game. Visit PAPER WEB SITE HERE.



Next up

The Bills head to Arrowhead Stadium, always a tough place to play, for a meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. Sunday.



FIRST QUARTER

Cleveland 6, Buffalo 0

The Good: Not much was good, although Leodis McKelvin looked like the special teams ace they’d been expecting. McKelvin busted a pair of long runs, giving the Bills good field position. They didn’t do much with it.

The Bad: Where to begin. Out of the shotgun on the very first play from scrimmage, Shaun Rogers deflected a Trent Edwards pass and it fluttered to Kamerion Wimbley. Two passes later, it happened again as Andra Davis stepped in front of a pass intended for James Hardy. Later, it was Brandon McDonald. Suffice it to say Edwards’ QB rating was not good at this point.

Key Stat: Edwards, seven passes, 3 INTs, one drop.



SECOND QUARTER

Cleveland 13, Buffalo 10

The Good: Wanna know how a good 1-2 running back punch is supposed to work? Freddy Jackson had a pair of rushes for 36 yards, getting the Bills into scoring territory. Marshawn Lynch followed by taking a dump pass 18 yards through a maze of defenders for a score. Bills were right back in it.

The Bad: It’s a good thing Braylon Edwards couldn’t hang on to the ball, because he seemed open on every play of the quarter. As it stood, Edwards finished with four catches and could have had more if Quinn could have found him more.

Key Stat: Buffalo had seven first downs in the quarter after two in the first.



THIRD QUARTER

Cleveland 16, Buffalo 13

The Good: When your running game is as bad as the Bills has been, anything’s an improvement. Jackson and Lynch combined for 34 running yards on six carries in piecing together a drive for a field goal near the quarter’s end. Still, Lynch couldn’t convert an important third and 2.

The Bad: Oh Freddy! With the Bills driving and starting to build some momentum, Jackson put the ball on the turf trying to get a few extra yards. The fumble ended the drive that had reached the Cleveland 29.

Key Stat: Bills had 8:25 in possession, but got just three points.



FOURTH QUARTER

Cleveland 29, Buffalo 27

The Good: Lynch’s 28-yard scamper to the one seemed unjust. How does a guy who worked so hard to get the ball the goal line not get all the glory? The run was one of the highlights of the season, and put the Bills in position for a one-yard go-ahead plunge on the next play.

The Bad: A 72-yard touchdown run on the first play of the quarter sure made things difficult. Jerome Harrison’s burst up the middle seemed to put the Bills away. Little did we know the madness that was still ahead.

Key Stat: Bills ran three times with the ball on the 30-yard line.

        

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