2008 Season Week 2

James Hardy and Terrance McGee both caught balls on the right side of the
same end zone in sweltering Jacksonville, Florida and each catch
represented a critical moment in the Buffalo Bills victory yesterday over
the Jaguars. McGee's interception at the end of the first half stalled a
threatening Jacksonville drive and Hardy, the rookie second rounder from
Illinois who was drafted as a tall "possession" receiver, leapt high to
catch a Trent Edwards pass in the corner of the endzone and managed to
keep his toes just inside the white lines as the Bills took the lead for
good late in the game.

This was a hard fought game which ebbed and flowed with each team having
offensive success at different times. Buffalo did an excellent job of
dealing with the near 100 degree F heat by rotating their personnel,
particularly their big men and especially all-pro offensive tackle Jason
Peters, in and out to fend off cramping and exhaustion. Jacksonville
presents one of the league's best combinations of running backs in Fred
Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew and, although they were quite effective in
the second half, the Bills defence stepped up late in the game to shut
them down. Special teams were important again with Roscoe Parrish's last
punt return setting up the field goal which would give the Bills a 4 point
cushion. Trent Edwards was efficient once more, going 20 for 25 with no
interceptions and hitting Lee Evans with a 30+ yard pass on third down to
set up the winning touchdown.

This was a close game - the kind that good teams tend to win - and a
significant step toward the Bills becoming a decent and confident team
this season. Wins over two of last year's playoff teams now lead them to
two games which they should win. Oakland won yesterday in Kansas City but
will be at least 7 point underdogs in Buffalo next Sunday. Then the Bills
travel to St. Louis where they will also be favoured. The NFL season is a
marathon but after 2 weeks, the Bills are in a great position - relatively
injury free with upcoming opportunities to build their confidence and
establish themselves as one of the AFC's better teams.