There is an old saying in golf that the space on the scorecard is small because it's there for a score, not a story. It doesn't matter how you got the birdie or double bogey, all that counts is the number. That is the way the Bills should look at Thursday's game with the Dolphins. After three losses in a row, 8 straight in the AFC East and 11 in a row in primetime, the Bills desperately needed to leave the field as winners. Mission accomplished. The victory gets them to 4-6 and keeps them alive, barely, in the AFC. Now that will have filled out the scorecard, let's head to the bar in the clubhouse to talk
The Good: The Bills have a defense. On this night we got to see the group we were hoping to see all year long. Mario Williams created a push up front. The Bills defensive line got penetration and totally shut down the Reggie "Buffalo Girls Won't You Come Out Tonight" Bush. Jairus Byrd was the best player on the field, capping off his night with a tremendous effort for an interception that came close to sealing it. For the first time all year Chan Gailey was able to lean on Dave Wannstedt's group. But that leads us to
The Bad: Chan had a bad night calling plays. He admitted afterward that he became too conservative, especially in the second half. He admitted afterward that he failed to give Steve Johnson more chances. But he could never really articulate why CJ Spiller was off the field in the red zone. Spiller, as much a team guys as you can get, said he was healthy, maybe a little winded but healthy, When Gailey says that they like Spiller out in pass situations, doesn't that just advertise that to the opposition now and in the future? I like Spiller on the field in any setting, especially in the red zone, Plus he wasn't being replaced by Fred Jackson it was Tashard Choice. And that leads me to...
The Ugly: The Wildcat. Take those pages out of the playbook and throw them away It doesn't work It doesn't fool anyone. Having Ryan Fitzpatrick split out wide just takes a regular player out of the mix. The play Thursday with Choice was a joke Dump it.
The Bills are 4-6 and you can all enjoy a Sunday without aggravation. But next week they must play better if they are going to take a major step with a win in Indy
Mike Catalana
MCatalana@13wham.com
