So it was back to Wembley for me for the second NFL International Series game of 2015 as Buffalo Bills took on the Jacksonville Jaguars in what was a Jaguars home game in Week 7 of the regular season. The Bills were 3-3 on the season whilst the Jags had struggled and were 1-5 on the year, although they had lost a couple of close ones in recent weeks. However most people were expecting a Bills win by a few points. I took my seat just as the teams took to the field (photos below)
Right here is my Quarter by Quarter report of the action, sit tight as it ends in dramatic fashion:-
First Quarter
The Jags kicked off and Buffalo managed to gain a couple of first downs on their first drive but this was then halted in midfield so the Bills were forced to punt. On the Jags opening drive they managed to convert on third down but were then backed up by penalty so this was wiped out and resulted in a punt which was poor so gave the Bills good field position for their next drive.
From this drive the Bills went all the way to the Jags thirteen yard line but then messed up their next three plays so had to settle for field goal which was a morale boosting stop for the Jags. However the kick was good so the Bills edged into the lead. Bills 3 Jags 0
On the Jags next drive they managed to covert a couple of first downs and then coverted a big third down to get into great field position but yet again an offensive penalty backed them up again for the second time in the quarter so again they were forced to punt. Bills though went three and out on their next drive including a sack on their quarter back EJ Manuel after some good defence from the Jags. This gave the ball back to the Jags after a punt from the Bills and then the hosts offence went on a magnificent drive and ended up on the Bills eleven yard line as the Quarter came to an end.
End of One Buffalo Bills 3 Jacksonville Jaguars 0
Second Quarter
So the Jags began the quarter in the endzone after their good drive and after two poor plays saw them on third down they managed to punch in the touchdown when QB Blake Bortles threw to his receiver in the endzone and although he lost the ball stretching for the line he had already broke the plain and the Jags had the lead and with the extra point being good the lead was now four. Bills 3 Jags 7
Then began a mad few seconds that saw the Jags take total control of the contest. On the Bills next drive on third and nine the Jags defence flattened Bills QB EJ Manuel forcing a fumble and Chris Clemons eventually gathered the loose ball to run in for a touchdown and with the extra point the Jags led by eleven. Bills 3 Jags 14
Then with the next Bills drive the first play saw Jags QB throw a ridiculous pass that was easily intercepted by Jags linebacker Telvin Smith who gratefully received the gift to run it back unchallanged to the house and sent the crowd wild. With the extra point the Jags had an eighteen point lead. Wowsers indeed!! Bills 3 Jags 21
If you thought it couldn't get any worse for Bills QB EJ Manuel then think again as on the next drive Bills managed to pick up a first down but then saw lightning strike again as EJ Manuel was intercepted yet again, this time by linebacker Paul Posluszny, on third down and this gave Jags great field position and a chance to pull further ahead. And sure enough the Jags coverted that great field position into another touchdown and although the play was reviewed the call stood although the extra point was missed. However the Jags had an almost unthinkable 24 point lead which was totally unexpected. It was most certainly a crazy few moments. Bills 3 Jags 27
The Bills and especially QB EJ Manuel needed a big drive on their next series and after driving down the field the under pressure QB floated one up for his receiver to catch at the back corner of the endzone and after the play was reviewed it was ruled a touchdown and with the extra point the Bills at least had something and had stemmed the Jags tide for now. Bills 10 Jags 27
The Jags got nowhere on their next drive and have to punt and on the Bills next drive they try to grab a touchdown as the half was running out but just failed to do so and had to settle for a field goal meaning the lead was cut to fourteen points. Bills 13 Jags 27.
The Jags the took a knee and that was the half. What a second quarter that was, and the Jags had a healthy lead going into the locker room.
End of Half Buffalo Bills 13 Jacksonville Jaguars 27
Third Quarter
The next quarter was dominated by a ten minute Jags drive. They drove right down the field after the Bills had kicked off including two third down conversations. Then they threw for the endzone and got a holding penalty in the endzone meaning they had a whole set of downs on the one yard line so everyone thought surely they would punch in yet another touchdown but, after Toby Gerhart was stopped on three occasions by a solid Bills defence they decided to no go for the field goal and instead go for it on fourth down but Gerhart was stopped yet again and so the ball was turned over on downs and the Jags left the drive empty handed. It was a poor call for me as those three points very nearly came back to haunt them at the end. Anyway on the Bills resulting drive they went right down to the Jags eight yard line for the remainder of the quarter meaning no points were scored but there was plenty of drama for sure.
End of third Buffalo Bills 13 Jacksonville Jaguars 27
Fourth Quarter
Thus began what turned out to be a very dramatic Quarter. It started with the Bills continuing their drive from the last Quarter and their next two plays saw a near interception in the endzone and then an overthrow from EJ Manuel meaning the Bills would have to settle for another field goal, thus failing to turn another redzone position into a touchdown. Bills 16 Jags 27
However the Jags offence had gone missing totally and went three and out on next drive in no time at all so had to punt. You felt the momentum was shifting towards the Bills and this was helped by a fantastic punt return back to midfield although a penalty on the return team backed them up ten yards although they still had good field position. Then came a crazy couple of plays in Bills next drive. Firstly they saw a third down play broken up by Jags defence but a late hit on QB EJ Manuel gave them an automatic first down. Then secondly from the next play LeSean McCoy fumbled down at the Jags goal line trying to grab a touchdown and the Jags pounced on the ball and turned it over at their four yard line. To rub salt into the Bills wounds they were called for a penalty too so the ball was moved forward to the 19 yard line. Wow, great defence from the Jags it most certainly was.
The defence had to be good as their Blake Bortles led offence was not functioning at all as the Jags went three and out in no time at all yet again. The Bills grabbed a first down ,just, on their next drive but then were stopped after a sack on EJ Manuel on third down. A great punt though backed Jags all the way to their own three yard line, and with the way the offence had been playing this half this was good for the Bills.
Again the Jags failed to gain anything on their three plays and on third down failed to get the first down by inches after the chains were brought on for a measurement. This meant the hosts would have to punt again and saw the Bills have it in midfield for the start of their next drive. Then came a moment of magic from EJ Manuel on Bills next series. After the Bills QB was sacked on the first play of the drive the second play saw him launch a long throw which was caught by Marcus Easley on the sideline before the wideout ran in for a 57 yard touchdown. The Bills decided to go for a two point conversation and with their first attempt saw a penalty on the defence in the endzone meaning they got another crack at it and they managed to convert this and suddenly the Bills were only three points behind, game on!!! Bills 24 Jags 27
Then from Jags next drive incredible scenes as Bortles lofted up a desperate pass on third down which went miles over the receivers head and into the grateful arms of Bills safety Corey Graham who intercepted and ran through several challenges before charging into the endzone and the Bills led incredibly with 5:21 left of the game. The extra point was good and the Jags had it all to do now. Bills 31 Jags 27
At this point I thought the Jags were done. They had done pretty much zero on offence all half and the Bills were flying now. However this game was to take yet another twist as more unbelievable drama on Jags next drive saw them go down the field before a huge play on third down converted after a holding call on the Bills defence. Dramatic to say the least!!!. From the very next play Bortles wriggled free from would be tacklers to come outside the pocket and throw downfield towards Allen Harris who managed to catch the ball and fall into the endzone on his back just inside the whitewash and send the Jags back into the lead with 2:17 left!!!! The extra point was good and meant the hosts lead by three once again. Phew!!! Bills 31 Jags 34
This wasn't the end of the drama tough as from Bills next drive they appeared to fumble on third down and Jags thought they had it with 0:57 left but then the call was made saying the Bills were down by contact so they kept the ball. However it was still fourth down and this was the game. EJ Manuel threw in a attempt for a first down but it was broken up by the Jags defence and the ball was turned over on downs!!!! Game over!!! Jags the took knees for the last 0:57 and take only their second win of the season. Wow what a fourth Quarter that was!!!! High drama and brilliant entertainment.
Full Time Buffalo Bills 31 Jacksonville Jaguars 34
It was thoroughly enjoyable once again and made even better by a close finish too!!! Next Sunday sees the third and final game of the NFL International Series of 2015 when the Detroit Lions take on Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8 of the regular season. Lets hope it's as close as this one was!!!
