Power Play Of The Week: Nick Barnett's Pick-Six

by Brian Galliford on Oct 11, 2011 10:30 AM EDT in Sponsored Posts

In a new series here at Buffalo Rumblings, we're going to take a look at one play in each of the next five Buffalo Bills games that permanently changed the flow of the game - for good or for bad - for Buffalo. In Sunday's 31-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, that play was decidedly the Nick Barnett interception returned for a touchdown.

The play happened in the second quarter after the Bills had just responded to an Eagles touchdown with one of their own to open up a 14-7 lead. On the first play of the following Eagles possession, the Bills dialed up a blitz on the left side of the offensive alignment - typically the blind side of the alignment, but Michael Vick is a lefty - and Eagles center Jason Kelce didn't pick up the right blitzer. Rookie linebacker Kelvin Sheppard came through the line untouched and drilled Vick, who threw an ill-advised pass right into Barnett's gut.

Barnett made the easy catch, returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, and suddenly the Bills had a 21-7 lead - less than four minutes after the Eagles had tied the game at seven. Using the momentum of that quick 14-point swing, the Bills then extended the lead early in the third quarter and hung on after a late Eagles rally to win the ball game.

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When I saw this on tv...

I was amazed. I remember thinking, “Who was Vick throwing to?! He hit Barnett right in the stomach! There wasn’t even a Philly receiver in the area!”

"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34

by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Oct 11, 2011 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

Actually...

The pass goes over the head of McCoy. Being crushed by the blitzing Sheppard forced the throw high.

by billsfan1970 on Oct 11, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought Shep looked fast on the delayed blitz...

and then I saw Vick run away from him like he was wearing concrete blocks on Vick’s long run and I was reminded what FAST looks like. And yes, I know Vick makes almost everyone look slow.

Shep looked good in the game. Hed seems to have a high awareness level and is an aggressive tackler who wraps up when he arrives.

by WhatGoesAround on Oct 11, 2011 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

yeah, my guy Kellvin Shep

He’s a Beast. Man, he’s a natural leader, he played very well in limited time, and even in his rookie year, he looks like a leader when he was in the field. Very impressive to me.

by Fernando brazil on Oct 11, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Vick Speed

Yes on the 70 yard run, Vick made Shep look slow. Didn’t even look like Vick was sprinting either. Shep and Moats both looked good though with QB pressures. Batten is looking good too (except penalty) Complete turnaround in the line-backing core from last year. Still waiting for Merrimans turn to crush someone!

by PayUrBills on Oct 11, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Who screwed up the pass protection

the back or the Guard (52)? Seems like the Guard should have stayed inside on Shep and let the Back take the outside rusher to me. Any thoughts?

by WhatGoesAround on Oct 11, 2011 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

As mentioned in this article, it was the center, No. 62, Jason Kelce, that inexplicably left Sheppard alone to double the outside blitzer, Reggie Corner.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Oct 11, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Reggie...

…Corner must be double-teamed at all times, #27 is a beast!

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Brian, I missed the “rest of the story” under the video. Yep, that was the center after all, not the guard. Shep was almost in contact with him when he dropped left to double Corner.

by WhatGoesAround on Oct 11, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought this was DC George Edwards best playcalling of the season.

On a side note, anyone getting a bit anxious that a Bill’s players is going to bet injured jumping into the stands? Alot of chaos going on once the player gets into the fan’s clutches.

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Oct 11, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

Nope

Shun the non Billievers!

by Superduff on Oct 11, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

At most, there might be a risk for getting an eye poked. I think the biggest risk is for fans. Watch that replay again and notice the surge, not unlike a mosh pit that pushes the crowd about the floor.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Oct 11, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions