Jacksonville, FL (WGR 550) -- The Buffalo Bills defense ran out of gas late in the fourth quarter to allow a touchdown in their 18-15 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, in Perry Fewell's first game as interim head coach.
The Bills received the opening kickoff and promptly turned the football over on the third play of the game. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s second pass of the day was intercepted by Sean Considine and returned to the Buffalo 28-yard line. Seven plays later Josh Scobee kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a 3-0 lead. The Buffalo offense answered back with a field goal of their own on their next possession. Rian Lindell’s 26-yard field goal tied the game 3-3, midway through the opening quarter. The 11-play drive included 3 receptions by Terrell Owens for 44 yards.
Brian Scott and George Wilson combined to create a turnover on the next Jags’ drive. Scott tipped a David Garrard pass and Wilson secured the football for the Bills. The safety returned the ball all the way to the Jacksonville 9-yard line. Fred Jackson had a touchdown called back on the first play of the drive. Four plays later the Bills settled for their second field goal of the game to lead Jacksonville 6-3 in the first.
Running back Marshawn Lynch suffered shoulder injury in the second quarter and was taken to the locker room after fumbling near midfield. Lynch did not return to the game.
The Jaguars took a 10-6 lead after Maurice Jones-Drew scampered into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown run. The TD capped a 13-play Jacksonville drive that ate up more than 7 minutes of the second quarter. Lindell would cut the deficit to one point, 10-9, as time expired in the first half. Lindell chipped in a 22-yard field goal for the Bills. Fitzpatrick led the team on a two-minute drive that spanned 55 yards.
The Buffalo defense held pat on the first Jaguar possession of the second half, but a booming punt from Adam Podlesh set the Bills at their own 2-yard line. Owens and Fitzpatrick struck on the first play of the drive for a 98-yard touchdown that gave the Bills a 15-10 lead. A two-point conversion try failed. The pitch-and-catch was the longest play from scrimmage in Bills' history. A Quinn Early 95-yard TD reception in 1996 was the previous record.
Offensive lineman Eric Wood suffered a left lower leg injury early in the fourth quarter. A Jacksonville defender ran into the back of Wood’s leg trying to sack Fitzpatrick. Wood was taken off the field on a cart and into the locker room for evaluation. Paul Posluszny picked up a Garrard fumble in the fourth to stop a lengthy Jacksonville drive. However, the Buffalo offense was not able to capitalize on the next drive and punted the ball back to the Jags.
The Jaguars took a 16-15 lead with :56 seconds to go in the game on a Garrard 3-yard TD pass to Mike Sims-Walker on third and goal. Garrard ran a quarterback keeper up the middle to convert on the 2-point chance to give the Jags a 3-point lead, 18-15. The Bills had one last chance to tie or take the lead, but after a completion to Owens, Fitzpatrick was picked off on fourth-and-ten to seal the Jacksonville win.
Fitzpatrick completed 18 of his 31 passes in a losing effort with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Owens led the way receiving with 197 yards on 9 catches, including a TD. Garrard threw for 215 yards on 21 completions with 1 TD and 1 INT. Jones-Drew rushed for 66 yards and 1 TD on 25 carries. Sims-Walker had 8 receptions for 91 yards and 1 the game winning TD.
The Bills are now 3-7 on the season and will return home to host the Miami Dolphins next Sunday. It is a one o'clock kickoff in Orchard Park.
For the latest Bills' news, including the search for a head coach, stay tuned to WGR Sports Radio 550 and wgr550.com.
Photo courtesy of The AP.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
