Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online

Bills

November 2, 2011

Bills finally win in Toronto

Numerous empty seats noted at Toronto's Rodgers Centre

Toronto — Ryan Fitzpatrick quickly made his expensive new contract pay off, and the Buffalo Bills finally gave their adopted — and sometimes indifferent — fans north of the border a little to cheer about.

Fitzpatrick hit tight end Scott Chandler for two touchdowns, and the Bills once porous defense had 10 sacks and two interceptions to batter the already injury-riddled Washington Redskins 23-0 on Sunday.

It marked Buffalo’s first win in four trips to Toronto, since the cross-border series was established in 2008. They handed Redskins coach Mike Shanahan his first shutout loss in 24 seasons as an NFL coach.

Fitzpatrick did his part in helping the Bills (5-2) open a season with four consecutive “home” wins for the first time since 1995.

And the defense proved dominating, coming out of its bye week off in limiting the Redskins to 178 yards and 10 first downs.

“It was a great overall performance,” said defensive end Spencer Johnson, who had a sack and blocked Graham Gano’s 49-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter. “To shut anybody out in the NFL, that’s a big feat, a big accomplishment and a big step in the right direction.”

The Redskins (3-4) have lost three straight and look nothing like the team that entered its bye week at 3-1.

“It’s pretty humbling to take that,” Shanahan said. “That’s as bad as I’ve ever been involved with from the offensive side.”

Washington continues to unravel as a result of such a growing list of injuries that would put a dent into Canada’s universal health care system.

Without running back Tim Hightower (knee), receiver Santana Moss (hand) and tight end Chris Cooley (knee), the John Beck-led attack managed 61 yards of offense and three first downs on six first-half possessions.

It didn’t get much better in the second half.

Their second drive of the half ended when Beck was sacked for a seventh time attempting to convert a fourth-and-4. The next time out, Beck was intercepted by Wilson.

“I kind of don’t have any answers right now,” Beck said, making his second straight start since replacing Rex Grossman. “I’m trying to figure that out myself. This is the one you want to see the tape, because it will be very telling.”

Beck went 20 of 33 for 208 yards.

With the Bills up 13-0 at the half, Fitzpatrick opened the third quarter with a seven-play, 80-yard drive, which he capped by hitting Chandler on a 15-yard fade in the left corner of the end zone.

Running back Fred Jackson had 120 yards rushing, and 74 receiving. With 1,074 yards from scrimmage, he became only the fourth Bills player to surpass 1,000 yards seven games into a season, and first since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas in 1991.

The nine sacks is the second best total in team history, and two short of the record.

And they came with Buffalo minus two key starters, defensive tackle Kyle Williams (foot) and linebacker Shawne Merriman (Achilles tendon)

“I don’t think anybody expected that,” coach Chan Gailey said. “I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t expect that.”

Rookie first-round pick Marcell Dareus’ 2Ω sacks led the way for a defense that entered the game with just four all season.

“I think this is the first complete game our team has played, and it’s only the beginning,” Dareus said. “The sky’s the limit.”

Fitzpatrick went 21 of 27 for 262 yards, and shook off a pair of turnovers and a big hit from linebacker London Fletcher.

Late in the first half, Fletcher caught Fitzpatrick high on the chest and bowled him over just as the quarterback completed a short pass to Jackson, who turned it into a 46-yard gain. Fitzpatrick was slow in getting up and then dropped to one knee.

After being attended to briefly by the training staff, Fitzpatrick stayed in the game to help set up Rian Lindell’s 44-yard field goal to put Buffalo up 13-0 as time ran out.

“I think the whole team had a collective gasp when they saw him down there trying to suck air,” Jackson said. “It was good for him to get back in there.”

Text Only
Bills
  • 130517 Bills GM ART.jpg Bills make expected move

    Doug Whaley is promoted to take over as Buffalo Bills general manager, making the team’s near top-to-bottom offseason overhaul complete.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • 130509 Kelly Thomas ART.jpg Together again

    A Newfane family of four, dressed in Bills gear, was among the many who stopped by the Bewley Building to meet former Bills greats Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • 130426 Bills No. 1 ART.jpg Bills select E.J. Manuel in the first round

    After trading down, the Buffalo Bills still landed the player they desired, selecting Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel with the 16th pick in the 2013 NFL draft on Thursday.

    April 25, 2013 1 Photo

  • 130313 Bills Fitz ART.jpg Put'n out the Fitz

    The Buffalo Bills are moving on without Ryan Fitzpatrick, after releasing the veteran quarterback after two-plus inconsistent seasons as starter.

    March 12, 2013 1 Photo

  • 130306 2B Bills Merriman ART.jpg Lights out on the career of Bills' LB Merriman

    Linebacker Shawne Merriman is calling it “Lights Out” on his career.

    March 6, 2013 1 Photo

  • 130108 Bills Coach ART.jpg Bills hire Doug Marrone as new head coach

    It's official: Doug Marrone is the new Buffalo Bills' head coach.

    January 7, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bills fire Chan Gailey

    The Bills fired Chan Gailey on Monday after he failed to deliver on his vow to transform a losing franchise into a playoff contender.

    January 2, 2013

  • 121231 Bills Jets 1B art.jpg Bills Ground the Jets

    Closing the season with a mean-nothing win was of little consolation for Buffalo Bills safety Bryan Scott.

    January 2, 2013 1 Photo

  • Seahawks Bills Footba_Schm.jpg Russell Wilson soars as Seahawks rout Bills 50-17

    It wasn't that long ago when Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was worried about overwhelming rookie quarterback Russell Wilson with too much information.

    December 19, 2012 1 Photo

  • 121210 bills rams.jpg Rams down the punchless Bills

    The St. Louis Rams are staying in the playoff race by suddenly showing they can win in the clutch.

    December 9, 2012 1 Photo

Featured Ads
Front page
AP Video
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Seasonal Content
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
AP Video
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Seasonal Content
Helium debate
Helium
Section Teases

Seasonal Content