Handing out a game ball after a Buffalo Bills loss is rather hollow, I realize. Some of you may abstain from voting here, and that's fine. In losing 15-10 in yesterday's season opener against the Miami Dolphins, however, not everything was a brutal as Buffalo's offensive attack.
I've got three nominees for our Week 1 game ball. Cast your vote, or write someone in with a comment.
Leodis McKelvin, cornerback: Buffalo played the third-year cornerback a lot in the second half, lining him up across Brandon Marshall on the vast majority of those snaps. Marshall caught two passes for nine yards in the second half, as Buffalo's defense held Miami to just three points in the final two quarters.
Chris Ellis, outside linebacker: Making his first career NFL start anywhere, let alone at a new position, Ellis performed like a steady veteran. He recorded five tackles and his first career sack while displaying good power as a pass rusher; he also set the edge fairly well against the run.
Paul Posluszny, inside linebacker: We've said all off-season that Posluszny would fill a stat sheet well in the new 3-4 scheme, and that proved true, as Poz recorded eight tackles and a sack in the first half alone. He missed the entire second half with a knee injury, but was in line for a career game numbers-wise.