Buffalo Bills Most Valuable Offensive Player? It's Jairus Byrd

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Another Buffalo Bills game. Another game that leaves you scratching your head because it defies logic. This is just one more example of how crazy and wild this year is, the Bills special 50th anniversary season.

You could have gone to all the games in the first 49 years of the Bills history, and not have seen the same things that have been happening to this year's team week in and week out.

Cleveland completes two passes against the Bills and wins. The Jets gain over 300 rushing yards and lose. Now we can add today's game to the Twilight Zone list. I wonder if Rod Sterling is taking notes?

Today's score exactly matched the amount of first downs in the game, 20-9. Of course, it was Carolina that had the twenty first downs, while Buffalo registered only nine. Carolina out gained Buffalo by the whopping margin of 425 yards to 167. Time of possession—34 minutes for Carolina to 25 minutes for Buffalo. Carolina ran 71 plays to the Bills 54. 

Oh wait, there is more. Carolina out rushed the Bills 116 to 53. They passed for 309 yards compared to the Bills 114. Yet the Bills won the game. Could of, would of, should of. Now the Panthers know how the Bills felt when they lost the opener to New England.

How is it possible that the Bills won?

To put it simply, turnovers.

We predicted in an article I wrote earlier this week , that Jake Delhomme's problems in the touchdown to interception ratio would be an issue with the improved play of the Bills secondary. Sure enough, Delhomme throws three more interceptions, and no touchdown passes, which will sink his passer rating even lower.

Jairus Byrd continues to shine in his rookie campaign

Jairus Byrd continues to develop as a rookie safety, as he has now registered two interceptions in consecutive games. The rookie also has now come up with at least one interception in three straight games.

How important is Byrd to the Bills offense? Of the two drives that Byrd intercepted a Jake Delhomme pass, the Bills scored a touchdown each time due to the tremendous field position he gave them. Of their other ten drives without Bryd's help, the Bills were able to muster two field goals, and one safety that resulted in Carolina's first points of the game.

Byrd has played a key role in the Bills winning consecutive road games for the first time since the 2004 season. Byrd is looking more and more like he might be the NFL's defensive rookie of the year, if he keeps up with this level of play.

Possible Quarterback Controversy

Ryan Fitzpatrick led a Bills attack that didn't do much, but at least they took care of the ball without committing any turnovers. The Bills offense was so inept that they did not even register a single first down until 25 minutes had been played.

Fitzpatrick didn't fumble or throw up any picks, and maybe that is what the Bills team needs to get over the hump. Fitzpatrick has now led the Bills to two straight wins on the road. So, who do the Bills start next Sunday against Houston at home if Edwards is deemed healthy enough to play?

Personally, I think concussions are scary things. They can really impact a player's health and make his retirement years miserable. I would much rather see Edwards take off next week, then you have the bye week for additional rest.

Then if he has passed all his tests, see if the doctors pronounce that he is fit for the week ten game at Tennessee.

But as we all know, the NFL is all about winning. The Bills are 1-4 under Edwards, and 2-0 under Fitzgerald. Since this year is it for Dick Jauron, can anyone blame him for saying that Ryan Fitzpatrick will continue to start as long as the team wins?

Interestingly, Roscoe Parrish was listed as the Bills emergency QB today, but somehow I don't see him entering in to the quarterback controversy.

How bad has the Bills offense been this year?

Today's game is another illustration of how inept the Bills offense is. In today's game they actually had a 1st and goal to go scenario. Stop the presses, open up the champagne.

Okay, so you think I am overreacting, right? Would you believe that was the first time they had a goal to go scenario since week one? That is a span of five complete games without getting inside the ten yard line with a first down.

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