The Buffalo Bills hung on in the fourth quarter to beat the Baltimore Ravens and pull one of the biggest upsets of the weekend.
Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel out-dueled Joe Flacco to even the Bills record to 2-2 on the season. He played like a rookie, completing 10 of 22 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. However, he didn’t try to do much, and let the run game control the tempo.
Joe Flacco put the game on his shoulders for Baltimore with mixed results. He finished the day 25 of 50 for 347 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. Meanwhile, Ravens All Pro running back Ray Rice only rushed the ball five times for 17 yards.
The Buffalo Bills balanced attack made all the difference in the game. Running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson combined for 164 yards on the ground and one touchdown.
The Baltimore Ravens need to find balance if they want to return to the Super Bowl. Flacco is good quarterback, but he’s not Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers. He needs a run game like the Bills have to compliment his big arm.
Overall, the Buffalo Bills continued to impress under the guidance of new head coach Doug Marrone, while the Super Bowl champion Ravens continued to baffle. One week Baltimore looks like the same team from last season, and other weeks (like this one), they look lost.
EJ Manuel will get another rookie test with a short week, leading up a game on Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens will play the Dolphins next Sunday in another challenge against a good, young football team.
[image via Wikimedia Commons ]