NFL: Bills Continue Playoff Push With Thumping Win Over Redskins

Buffalo Bills 23  Washington Redskins 0

The Buffalo Bills felt very much at home on their annual visit to Toronto, battering the injury-ravaged Washington Redskins and keeping their playoff surge firmly on track. Tight end Scott Chandler caught two touchdown passes and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 262 yards while the Bills defense kept Washington off the scoreboard with their best afternoon of the season.

And so the Bills’ run goes on. Heading into the season, expectations were understandably low after a 0-8 start last year on the way to a disappointing 4-12 record. But the Buffalo players have been reading from a different script, making the trip across the border really significant for the first time since the Bills Toronto Series began. The atmosphere outside the Rogers Centre was telling, with a real air of expectation – entering Sunday with a 4-2 record, Buffalo fans are dreaming big.

This was a must-win game for the Bills, given the remaining obstacles in their schedule, including two clashes with divisional rivals the New York Jets and trips to the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots, another AFC East powerhouse. And on their second drive of the game, the Bills took the lead with an eight-play, 80-yard drive, featuring two fine catches from receiver David Nelson and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick to Chandler.

The Redskins’ recent injury woes have been well documented, with Tim Hightower, Santana Moss and Chris Cooley all sidelined. It has left head coach Mike Shanahan with limited resources to work with – and he got little production from any of the remaining offensive weapons.

Quarterback John Beck threw for just 66 yards in the first half and the ground attack – 24 total yards – was equally well snuffed out by the Bills defense. The Redskins best opportunity came after a Fitzpatrick fumble presented Beck with excellent field position. But Washington failed to cash in as Graham Gano’s field goal attempt was brilliantly blocked by Buffalo’s Spencer Johnson.

Lindell extended the Bills’ lead with a 37-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, sparking the thunderous sound effects that greeted each Buffalo score. The thunder was back just before half-time as Lindell struck again – this time from 44 yards – to stretch the score to 13-0. But for a London Fletcher interception in the end zone, the first half damage would have been worse. Fletcher pulled off a timely diving catch to pick off a pass intended for Stevie Johnson.

Things quickly got worse for the Redskins in the third quarter. The impressive Fred Jackson added to a strong first half performance with a 43-yard run, taking his rushing tally for the season past the 1,000-yard mark. That set up Fitzpatrick within striking distance and he made no mistake, finding Chandler alone in the end zone for his second touchdown of the afternoon.

The Redskins’ desperation was crystal clear in Shanahan’s decision to throw the ball on 4^th down with almost four minutes remaining in the third quarter. It proved a costly error as the Bills defense sacked Beck, who finished with 208 passing yards and two interceptions. One possession later, the Redskins quarterback was picked off by free safety George Wilson.

With Washington incapable of mounting any kind of comeback, the game fizzled out in the fourth quarter. Beck threw another interception with 7:48 to go – this time finding the Bills’ Jairus Byrd – and Buffalo iced the win with another Lindell field goal.

For the Redskins, this was a day to forget in a hurry and perhaps an ominous sign for the next few weeks. The Bills, however, mean business. At 5-2, they are level with the mighty New England Patriots at the top of the AFC East and look genuine playoff contenders. Exciting times await.