Five Reasons Why The Bills Win Over the Bucs Wasn't That Great

Matthew Zelasko by Contributor Written on September 24, 2009

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20:  Terrell Owens #81 of the Buffalo Bills gets ready to take the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo 33-20. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Ima
Rick Stewart/Getty Images

I'm usually one to look on the bright side of things - at least when it comes to my Buffalo Bills. Yes, it was hard to do that after the week one loss to the Pats on Monday Night, even though there was a lot of good to come from that game. Also it is easy to look on the bright side of the win against Tampa Bay in week two mostly because, well, we won.

The only thing that the Pats loss showed me was the Buffalo Bills' inability to finish - again. I am sick and tired of saying things like "well, we weren't supposed to have a chance and we did so it wasn't that bad" and "we'd be 2-0 if we could have scored one more two more points in that first game". It doesn't cut it. In the NFL there are 16 games. Every win is huge but more importantly every loss is detrimental, especially against a division rival that has bested you for the better part of a decade.

I'm here to tell you why the Bills win in their home opener wasn't that special.

5. Byron Leftwich

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Byron Leftwich #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 33-20.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Imag

Before I say anything I would like to mention how much I love Byron Leftwich, and perhaps more importantly, the decision made by Raheem Morris to start Leftwich this season. The Bucs have who they feel is their quarterback of the future in Josh Freeman. I've seen the guy play and while he has the talent to become a solid franchise QB in the NFL, he needs a few years behind a guy like Byron Leftwich.

Leftwich, 29, is the perfect player for Freeman to learn from so long as he doesn't pick up any of Byron's bad habits, most notably his passing motion, which is long, drawn out, and very susceptible to a strip.

Yet this is the reason that Buffalo winning this game wasn't that great of a win. Leftwich isn't an elite QB in this league – and there is no argument there. The problem I have is that the Bills somehow let the Bucs pass for THREE touchdowns. Yes the defense produced two INTs and two sacks. Yes Leftwich attempted 50 passes, but when the Bills got off to a quick start (17-0) they sat on it. At times Leftwich looked more like Big Ben than himself.

The Bills coaching staff needs to find a way to completely obliterate second rate QBs in this league. Not only do that but consistently do it throughout 60 minutes of a game. It is a familiar problem with this Bills squad - not playing 60 minutes.

4. The Pats Are Struggling

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 14:  Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the New England Patriots on September 14, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Im

Don't get it? Well, you should. One reason that the Bills' win over the Bucs isn't that great or important is because of the previous game against the Pats. Everyone saw it. The Pats are struggling and the Bills still couldn't put that game away. Beating good teams means more than beating Tampa Bay.

3. Injuries

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Leodis McKelvin #28  of the Buffalo Bills runs on a kickoff return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Even if it was a good win, at what cost was it earned? Injuries to Derek Schouman, Leodis McKelvin, and Brad Butler may prove to be extremely detrimental to this team.

I'm not saying that I'd take a loss last week for these players to have come away uninjured because I wouldn't - but it does but a big black spot on the win.

2. Buccaneers D In Rebuilding Phase

LUTZ, FL - APRIL 17: NFL linebacker Derrick Brooks watches his shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at TPC Tampa Bay on April 17, 2009  in Lutz, Florida.  (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

With Derrick Brooks playing more golf than football these days, that Tampa 2 defense is no more. The Buccaneers enjoyed one the best defenses for years. These days? Not so much. Yes, there is potential but that's it.

Better teams than the Bills will blow up that Tampa D this season.

1. It's Only Week Two

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20:  Terrell Owens #81 of the Buffalo Bills gets ready to take the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo 33-20. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Ima

Lets face it, we Bills fans have been burned before by good starts. Remember last year? Talk to me when we've made the playoffs. Perhaps I will be completely wrong and this past weeks game will have been an important game because of Super Bowl implications, but I'm not holding my breath.

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written on September 24, 2009 Opinion

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