The Buffalo Bills' offense put up 25 points in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome a first-half shutout and a poor showing from the defense in a 35-25 road loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 15. The loss drops the Bills to 6-8 on the season, and combined with a New York Jets win last night in Dallas, Buffalo has officially been eliminated from the AFC playoff race.
Kirk Cousins and the Redskins put up points seemingly at will against Rex Ryan and the Bills' beleaguered, beat-up defense, with the young quarterback finishing the day with 319 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing. In addition to those four scores (two to Jordan Reed, one to Desean Jackson, and one of Pierre Garcon), he also added a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
Sammy Watkins' two touchdown receptions (of 48 and 20 yards) and a 60-yard scoring run from Mike Gillislee, playing in place of the injured LeSean McCoy, were not enough as the Bills tried to erase a 21-point halftime deficit. Playing from behind most of the day, the Bills were unable to establish much of a ground game, with Tyrod Taylor taking six sacks as he scrambled his way to 79 rushing yards, eclipsed only by Gillislee's 81, padded by that broken-play score.
Now ensured of missing the playoffs for a sixteenth straight season, the Bills are playing two more meaningless games this season before changes come this spring. They have the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Let the commiseration begin.