The need for Tyrod Taylor to start at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills has never been more evident following a demoralizing 34-31 defeat at the hands of the Jaguars. EJ Manuel, who started in place for Taylor, had perhaps the worst second quarter of his career, hand wrapping three Buffalo turnovers which dug the Bills into a hole they ultimately couldn’t climb out of.
Manuel was inaccurate early and often and was lucky to leave the field without turning the ball over at one point, having three straight drives – within two minutes of each other – resulting in either a Jacksonville defensive touchdown or a Jacksonville first down.
With 10:06 remaining in the second quarter, the Bills found themselves trailing 27-3. An 85-yard touchdown drive followed by a field goal from Dan Carpenter made the game 27-13 and the Bills somehow found themselves down by only two scores headed in to the locker room at half time.
Not bad, considering they allowed 27 unanswered points and looked completely defeated without having met the halfway point of the second quarter.
Momentum took a swing in the Bills favor as they came up with a defensive goal line stand as Toby Gerhart ran the ball on four consecutive attempts from 1-yard out and couldn’t punch it in. This was a crucial turning point for the
This granted the Bills new life and Manuel capitalized with a two play, 52-yard drive and touchdown pass to Marcus Easley, which chipped the Jacksonville lead to 24-27 midway through the third quarter.
The following Jacksonville possession resulted in a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown by Corey Graham giving the Bills their first lead since it was 3-0 in the first quarter.
Buffalo’s defense couldn’t prevent a 31-yard touchdown pass from Blake Bortles to Allen Hurns which gave the lead back to the Jaguars at 34-31 and the Bills never recovered.
Buffalo’s offense couldn’t overcome the absence of Taylor, Sammy Wakins and Percy Harvin, as Manuel struggled mightily to consistently move the ball downfield. Taylor’s absence the last two games demonstrates just how valuable he is to the Bills, as the Bills offense has been anemic with Manuel at the helm.
The offensive play calling can be questioned as well, Greg Roman had Manuel rolling out to his left on a 4th down pass attempt to Robert Woods with the game on the line in the fourth quarter.
The Bills are on their bye week next week, and will return to action at home against the Dolphins on November 8th. The Bills will be desperate to have their starting quarterback return to action, and ultimately will be desperate for a win after falling to 3-4 today.
