| Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was under constant pressure Sunday, this time by Rams DE Chris Long. (US Presswire) |
In Buffalo’s Week 14 loss to the St. Louis Rams, there was poor play on offense, questionable play-calling and a late-game collapse from the defense. In other words, it was a typical Bills defeat. Buffalo fell to 5-8 and is all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
Offense: D
Buffalo’s offense was unable to find a rhythm for much of the game against the Rams. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had decent numbers (25 of 33 for 247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. With injuries up front along the offensive line, Fitzpatrick was under constant pressure (5 sacks, 11 QB hits) and the Bills had trouble sustaining drives. Buffalo had two critical three-and-outs with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. C.J. Spiller (37 yards) once again impressed, but he had only seven rushing attempts in the entire game. The Bills had 20 total rushing attempts, which was a disappointment after their productive 46-rush performance one week earlier. Previous game’s grade: B+
Defense: B-
Buffalo’s defense continued its recent stretch of improved play by holding the Rams to 15 points. It started up front with the run defense; Buffalo held the Rams to just 78 yards on the ground. Buffalo’s run defense has really turned it around over the past month, which is saying something considering the Bills fielded one of the worst run defenses in the league in the first half of the year. The Bills also had some success in getting after Rams QB Sam Bradford in the passing game (1 sack, 4 QB hits). CB Stephon Gilmore had his first career interception. The killer, though, was St. Louis’ game-winning drive -- the Rams went 84 yards in the final minutes, converting two third downs and one fourth down. That erased a lot of Buffalo’s earlier sound play on defense. Previous game’s grade: B+
Special teams: C
There weren’t many plays that stood out on special teams for either side. St. Louis punter Johnny Hekker had a rare zero-yard punt after bobbling a snap and was drilled by Bills LB Nigel Bradham, but that was about it. Buffalo didn’t have any big returns, nor did they allow any big returns. Previous game’s grade: A-
Coaching: F
Chan Gailey has come under fire for his dubious coaching decisions in this game, and rightfully so. Gailey has looked more like his predecessor, Dick Jauron, in recent weeks with conservative coaching decisions that have backfired against his team. His biggest error came early in the fourth quarter when he decided to punt at the Rams 34 instead of attempt a 52-yard field goal or go for it on fourth-and-7. Three points from Rian Lindell there would have later forced overtime, and the kicker has only missed one attempt all season. Gailey also badly mismanaged the clock at the end of the first half. The Bills looked to have enough time to make a push for the end zone, but some strange playcalling forced the Bills to attempt a 40-yard field goal. Even before the field goal, the Bills called a timeout with 11 seconds left in the half -- leaving enough time for the Rams to have a kick return. Also, how does Buffalo's best playmaker, Spiller, get only seven rushing attempts? Gailey’s decisions were critical in the loss. Previous game’s grade: A
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.