The Bills’ OT rule comes back to bite them
The Buffalo Bills’ 2023 season is in the books but there’s one little thing missing. Illustrations. Let’s pretend last year is an actual book, with each game a chapter. It’s up to us to find one play or “illustration” that best shows us the theme of that chapter.
Make sense? I hope so because we’re about to take a look at some plays and vote. Remember, it’s not necessarily the best play we want, it’s the one that best illustrates...
Chapter 12: Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles
Y’know back in my day, if a team scored a field goal on the first possession in overtime they won the game. Then for whatever reason the NFL decided to make it so the second team would get a possession in that scenario. The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles went to the limit but the newer OT format allowed Philly to take the win. For the Eagles it may have taken them beyond their limit. With only one loss to their name prior to facing the Bills, they only recorded one more win for the remainder of the season. That’s what we like to call a “consolation prize.”
Bills’ third-down stop (Q1; 12:55)
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If you looked at certain stat from this game, it would appear as though it was a blowout win for the Bills. For instance, Buffalo converted 59% of their third downs to Philly’s 36%. Early stops like this one set the Bills up in good shape throughout the first half.
“Intentional grounding” (Q2; 1:33)
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Penalties were a big story during this game, with the Bills ending with 11 of them to only four against Philadelphia. In a close game, Buffalo repeatedly shot themselves in the foot. While most were genuine self-inflicted wounds, the Bills made it look so fun that the impartial third party decided to pull the trigger a couple times as well.
Even I ripped the officials to shreds after this game, largely on the back of this horrendous call. This drive ended with a blocked field goal when it should have allowed Buffalo to pile on before the half. Read my full penalty recap here if you dare relive the memories.
Eagles touchdown (Q4; 11:18)
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In a tale of two halves, Buffalo struggled to stop Philly in the second half — especially the fourth quarter. This very short drive after a turnover allowed the Eagles to take a lead, something that seemed like a long shot only about a quarter ago.
Josh Allen’s kneel down (Q4; 0:20)
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In my opinion, head coach Sean McDermott has made tremendous strides when it comes to in-game decisions. Against the Eagles he slipped back to his old “play not to lose” style. With 20 seconds on the board and a timeout in the bank, Philadelphia gifted Buffalo a touchback. Tyler Bass had hit a 48-yarder earlier in the game. Doing the math, that meant Buffalo needed 45 yards for a similar try.
Sean, my man. You lost as a result of 13 seconds. You beat the Lions the year before with 23 seconds. You have Josh Allen. Bad call.
Tyler Bass’ OT field goal (OT; 5:56)
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Buffalo hasn’t had the greatest OT track record, but they’ve got a shot folks!
Philly’s third-down conversion (OT; 3:29)
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Remember that Buffalo had scored a field goal to start off overtime. Philadelphia either had to score or lose. What I’m getting at is that the Eagles were in definitive four-down territory. 4th & 90? Gotta go for it. Add in the dwindling time and the Eagles couldn’t settle for a field goal. That’s why this play stands in for the final OT drive rather than the touchdown.
The Bills’ defense only forced one third down, seen above. At 3rd & 3 and the tush push being on the table, there was close to no chance of stopping Philly. This being the closest Buffalo got to preventing a score is a fitting illustration of the drive. Also, you may consider this the game coming full circle from everything I said about the first play above.