Buffalo Bills Sloppy In 7-6 Pre-Season Loss To Redskins

The Buffalo Bills' first team offense scored an apparent touchdown that was wiped out by an illegal formation call, and failed to convert on several drives in the first quarter. It didn't improve much once the second teamers and beyond came in, and the Bills fell to the Washington Redskins 7-6 in the 2012 preseason opener. Sloppy play permeated the roster, with 14 penalties for 134 yards, including eight false starts.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 14 passes, completing just six of them, while C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson recorded zero carries combined. Scott Chandler nabbed two passes for 32 yards, including an impressive 26-yarder up the seam in coverage. Stevie Johnson also had two catches and was targeted on a couple more plays.

On defense, the starters stymied Robert Griffin III and company on the first two drives. On Washington's third drive, however, they marched 80 yards capped by a screen pass to Pierre Garcon that went 20 yards for the first touchdown. Kyle Williams was in the backfield a few times, while the pass rush wasn't anything too great. George Wilson had a fumble recovery on a bobbled handoff.

Brian Moorman was the team's MVP, downing punts inside the five-yard line twice, while his rookie competitor, Shawn Powell, also had a nice night. John Potter booted nothing but touchbacks on his three kickoffs, while Rian Lindell connected on two of his three field goal attempts. He missed a 22-yarder in the second quarter that might have ultimately won the team the game.

Highlights from the backups include an interception during the last minute of the first half by Ron Brooks on fellow rookie Kirk Cousins. Brooks also had two pass breakups (and would-be interceptions that he dropped). Vince Young ripped off some nice runs, but neither Young nor his competitor Tyler Thigpen looked great passing.

The game will be televised Friday night at 8 PM for those of you near Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse. Check it out if you care or dare.