Published: October 06, 2008 11:20 pm      

BILLS: Third down became enemy in AZ

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Third down had been a friend to the Buffalo Bills defense through the first four weeks.

It turned devilish in the desert.

After giving up just 11 third-down conversions en route to a 4-0 start, the Bills gave up almost that many — nine all told in Sunday’s 41-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals — and the difference was obvious.

The Cardinals finished with 28 first downs and consistently squashed any Bills momentum with short passes and long drives.

“It was extremely frustrating. We’ve been pretty good on third down and they’ve been pretty good too,” Kawika Mitchell said. “We knew that was going to be a challenge and they just had a good game plan. We were struggling on first and second downs and even when we dd get them on third-and-long situations, they still converted.”

Buffalo’s defense came into the contest as the league leader in third-down conversions, surrendering just 19.2 percent.

The Cardinals knocked the Bills off that perch quickly, however, getting first downs on each of the six third downs thy faced before halftime. That meant drives of 14, 12 and nine plays in the second quarter alone, many of which continued as the Bills played a loose zone that allowed backs and underneath receivers a chance to run free.

“We managed the game,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “Even though we ran a couple different sets and we were using three and four receiver sets, we still controlled the clock and moved down the field with 13-, 14-, 15-play drives. It was another way to do it.”

The key to the Cardinals’ third-down efficiency was an offensive line that kept Bills pass rushers at bay. With extra time, Kurt Warner had little trouble finding holes in the Bills scheme.

“There were a lot of quick throws,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “They’re really accurate with their throws and the ball comes out on rhythm.”

Warner, who was missing big-play receiver Anquan Boldin, said he was getting comfortable with receivers Early Doucet and Steve Breaston.

Since the Bills weren’t applying much pressure, the Cards didn’t need to keep extra backs and tight end in for protection, giving Warner plenty of options.

“I always love having everybody out in a route because I’ll get the ball to whoever is going out to gt it, even if it’s in my checkdown,” Warner said. “That’s what happened a lot is that we spread it out and thy went from what they normally do to get back to two safeties.

“It’s fun for me when I have guys out that I can see what’s happening.”