Bills Vs. Bengals: Steve Johnson, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Other Buffalo Game Balls
You'll never find a fan who's more ecstatic over a 2-8 football team than I am right now.
I mean, did the Buffalo Bills really outscore the Cincinnati Bengals 35-0 in the second half?
Instead of re-hashing a ridiculously fun football game that went from an almost assured Bills blowout loss to a Bills blowout victory, let's hand out some game balls.
Talk about offensive fireworks.
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick
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Fitzpatrick embodies today's Buffalo Bills.
Not overly talented. Inexperienced, yet capable, gritty and resilient.
The "career backup" looked the part in the first half, tossing two ugly interceptions which would have been three had there not been a roughing the passer call on the Bengals.
He was out of sorts, inaccurate and late with his throws.
However, true to what we've seen from Fitzpatrick since he became the starter in Week 4, he fearlessly bounced back in the second half...in a big way.
From crucial third down conversions to pinpoint touchdown passes, Fitzpatrick looked like a legitimate starter and was the driving force behind the Bills' incredible comeback.
Although an entirely different situation, he's reached Frank Reich territory if you ask me.
Final Statline - 21/34 for 316 yards 4 TDs 2 INTs 107 QB Rating
2. Fred Jackson
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Another blue-collar, never-talked-about player for the Bills who had a monster game.
Fitzpatrick's day stands out. The Bills definitely got it done through the air in the second half, but Jackson remains the backbone of Buffalo's offense.
He rushed for 116 yards with two scores on only 21 carries, caught three passes for 13 yards and pass protected when Fitzpatrick needed it most.
Jackson is not fast, but his will to gain yardage and elude tacklers ins among the best in the NFL.
He was banged up for the second straight game and missed a few plays but returned to run even harder.
3. Stevie Johnson
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Why so serious?
Color commentator Steve Tasker initially thought Johnson's undershirt was referring to just having fun when playing the game.
No, no, no. Johnson was playing the Joker to Terrell Owens' and Chad Ochocinco's Batman and Robin.
And that wasn't even the coolest part of Johnson's day.
He is rapidly cementing himself as a star receiver in this league with another outstanding effort. Johnson really does have the knack to get open without being that fast or physical.
Eight catches, 137 yards and 3 TDs. How about that for a day.
The Bills are really onto something here. Johnson's that possession guy who's surprisingly shifty and great after the catch. Lee Evans can now focus on being the downfield burner that stretches the defense.
Can the Bills official website please put a No. 13 Steve Johnson uniform in the team shop?
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4. Drayton Florence
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Florence's third quarter fumble recovery for a touchdown was the ideal momentum shift that turned what looked to be a blowout into a competitive football game.
He had his issues in pass coverage but did have two passes defended.
The fire he brings to the Bills is probably his greatest asset to this team.
5. Chan Gailey
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Chan Gailey wears those professor glasses for each game, and now he's really playing the part well.
After a total disaster of a first half, his halftime adjustments were instrumental in the Bills' 35-0 second-half explosion.
He demonstrated confidence in his offensive line by leaving Ryan Fitzpatrick alone in the shotgun often, and the Bengals simply couldn't defend those four and five wide sets.
Gailey mixed in enough run plays to keep the defense honest and utilized timely play-action.
This guy knows how to run an efficient and occasionally electric offense.
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