Harry Callahan, Boy George, The Ol’ 97s and the NFL week 3

By Paul Casey Gotham

Please hold on while the train is moving…

Eight years and fifteen games later the Buffalo Bills triumphed over the New England Patriots in a manner few thought possible: the Bills matched and trumped the Pats offensive prowess. Despite allowing 387 yards through the air, an opportunistic Bills defense made plays when they needed picking four Tom Brady passes on the afternoon.  The four picks equal how many Brady amassed during the entire 2010 season.

Buffalo overcame an 18-point halftime deficit for the second time in as many weeks – a feat no other NFL franchise has accomplished. Ryan Fitzpatrick connected on 27-40 passes for two touchdowns.

Interesting to note that the Pats were without their starting tight end – Aaron Hernandez while Bills TE, Scott Chandler, scored another touchdown.

With the win, the Bills improve to 3-0. Last week’s victory over the Oakland Raiders is looking better since the Silver and Black clipped the New York Jets. The Bills are relevant for the first time in more than a decade.  Orchard Park is alive again on Sundays.  One might even suggest that the Bills are gaining momentum. Sure, it is early but there is a train that is moving and a stadium “picking up souls who don’t know where they’re going.”

We’re going streaking

Different from years past the number of undefeated teams is shrinking quickly. Along with the Bills only the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers and their NFC North Division rival Detroit Lions stand at 3-0. The Washington Redskins put their 2-0 ledger on the line tonight.

A good man always has to know his limitations

Mother Nature has been making a name for herself in the college game. The grand old lady is getting some tongue-in-cheek Heisman recognition.  She grabbed everyone’s attention yesterday in Charlotte, North Carolina when the Jacksonville Jaguars paid a visit to the Carolina Panthers.

The Jags and Panthers played “amid a torrential downpour that slowed the game to a crawl and made the field a slick puddle-filled mess.”  From out of these conditions came Carolina’s first victory on the season and the first-ever NFL triumph for Heisman-Trophy winner, Cam Newton.  Slowed by the conditions, Newton connected on 18 of 34 passes for 158 yards. But two big statistics were Newton’s lack of interceptions and sacks.  In the rookie’s first two games (both losses) he threw for more yards (422 versus Arizona and 432 against the Pack), but he also acquired more negative stats (one int and four sacks versus the Cards and three ints. and four sacks to Green Bay). Sure, it is early in Newton’s career. He went through a condensed rookie training camp. Maybe Mother Nature and Dirty Harry can help the Heisman winner with his tutelage.

Do you really want to hurt me?

In the category of head-scratchers, the depleted New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 29-16. The Eagles grabbed headlines in the off-season by assembling what some referred to as a “dream team.” With Mario Manningham, Osi Umenyiora and Domenik Hixon on the shelf, the Giants took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and rallied for 15 in the fourth quarter to give Andy Reid and crew a few nightmares.

Michael Vick grabbed headlines with his post-game comments.

“Why? You all see. There’s no reason for it. I’m not going to go into a big dissertation about why I’m not getting the calls. … The refs have to do their jobs as well. … Everybody seen the game. I’m on the ground constantly, all the time. All the highlights, watching film every time I throw the ball, I’m on the ground.

“I don’t know why I don’t get the 15-yard penalties like everyone else does. I am not complaining. I am just pointing it out and hopefully someone will do something about it. … I’m not blaming the referee. Let’s not get it twisted. Everybody on the field has to do their job. … I just want them to take notice.”

Was the hit on Vick excessive? Probably

Should there have been a flag on the play where Vick was injured? Sure.

The refs need to take notice?

Vick might want to give Chicago QB Jay Cutler (who has been sacked more times than an Idaho spud) a call.

Until then, Vick just sounds like …

A round of cold ones

These guys earned some liquid refreshment from the Pine. And there is none better than the home brew:

NY Giants Aaron Ross – made two interceptions directly leading to 14 points.

The Buffalo Bills defense – which picked off as many Tom Brady passes yesterday as the NE QB had intercepted all of last year.

Minnesota’s Jared Allen – for his three quarterback sacks.

Baltimore’s Ray Lewis and Chicago’s Lance Briggs – 10 tackles a piece.

Baltimore’s Joe Flacco – 389 passing yards.

Oakland’s Darren McFadden – 171 rushing yards.

New England’s Wes Welker – 217 receiving yards.

MNF

Big times in Big D tonight. The ‘Skins put their unblemished record on the line. Willie? Ohhhhhh Willllllllie? You got anything to say about this?

 

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