Ravens 37, Bills 34

"Never felt so good about a loss" someone posted on twobillsdrive.com an hour or so after the game. I do not feel good right now but it's because of last night's Ronin Warriors dragonboat team end-of-season party. Too much red wine. Way too much. Thanks to our hosts Agenes and William for opening their swanky condo to all of us. Lots of fun.

So, I figured I would nap on the couch as the Ravens opened up a big lead and put the game out of reach early in the second quarter then I might be feeling a bit better for the Patriots game at San Diego. But I didn't nap at all as the Bills played way over their heads and almost won this game. Ryan Fitzpatrick shredded the Ravens fearsome defence in the first half as the Bills took a 24-10 lead before Baltimore scored 10 points leading into halftime. Then, after their usual 3rd quarter collapse, they answered the Ravens with 10 points of their own to send the game to overtime. A questionable call on a turnover (and the meaning of "forward progress" will be debated for the next few days) and they lost again but it was a very entertaining game.

The season is going nowhere anyway so the loss was not nearly as dissapointing as it would have been if the Bills were decent and still had a shot. The Panthers won so the Bills have the inside track on the first pick in April's draft. They are hard at work trying to find the next Peyton Manning so let's hope that they do not end up picking the next Ryan Leaf. Having the first pick overall creates pressure to pick the right player but also presents numerous other challenges like getting the player signed. Having the first pick also means having the 33rd and 65th (and 97th and so on at the top of each of the 7 rounds) overall picks so a good draft class for 2011 is certainly possible and much needed.

The Bills are at Kansas City next week then "home" to the Chicago Bears at the Rogers Centre. I am virtually certain that they will not go winless this year. Today's effort is evidence that they do have some talent and they have not given up.