Bills snap six-game losing streak with 25-24 win over Carolina
Sports divers dimanche, 9 déc. 2001. 17:15 vendredi, 13 déc. 2024. 13:45
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Bills helped Carolina prove no lead is too big for the Panthers to squander. Brandon Spoon returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown and Travis Henry scored on a one-yard plunge, rallying the Bills to a 25-24 victory Sunday in a game billed as "The Futility Bowl."
The Bills (2-10), who snapped a six-game losing streak, overcame an 18-point deficit in the final 30 minutes. They did it against a Carolina team (1-12) that has lost 12 straight, including nine in which the Panthers had the lead or were tied in the second half.
Trailing 24-6, the Bills' comeback began when Alex Van Pelt hit Peerless Price for a seven-yard touchdown with one second left in the first half.
The Panthers continued to unravel in the second half, shut out by a keyed-up Bills defence.
Spoon's interception return cut Carolina's lead to 24-19 in the third quarter.
Van Pelt then made the comeback complete, driving the Bills 51 yards, capped by Henry's dive over the middle with 7:51 remaining.
The Panthers' last gasp ended when Buffalo linebacker Keith Newman batted down Chris Weinke's pass on a fourth-and-two play with
under three minutes left. Carolina, which has now been outscored 164-98 in the second half, never got the ball back.
The Bills snapped an eight-game home losing streak, one short of the franchise low.
Van Pelt finished 20-for-29 for 277 yards in his fourth start in place of starter Rob Johnson, who's out indefinitely with a broken
collarbone.
Henry had 27 carries for 101 yards, as the Bills enjoyed one of their most effective running attacks of the season.
Newly signed placekicker Shayne Andrews hit field goals from 20 and 27 yards.
The Panthers dominated the first half.
Weinke scored on a one-yard plunge to break a 3-3 tie and Richard Huntley made it 17-3 with a two-yard run in the second quarter.
After Andrews kicked a field goal, Weinke hit Kris Mangum for a 2-yard touchdown.
Weinke finished 15-for-30 for 153 yards.
The Bills' patchwork defensive front was further decimated when it lost veteran nose tackle Pat Williams to an undisclosed leg injury in the first quarter. Earlier this week, Buffalo lost veteran nose tackle Shawn Price, who will miss the rest of the season with ligament damage in his left knee.
At halftime, the Bills honoured former coach Marv Levy for last summer's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"In going into the Hall of fame, I am so aware of what you, the Buffalo Bills fans have meant to me, to the city, the area, and to professional football," said Levy, who earned a standing ovation after being presented his Hall of Fame ring. "There is no place I would rather be than right here, with you, right now."
The Bills (2-10), who snapped a six-game losing streak, overcame an 18-point deficit in the final 30 minutes. They did it against a Carolina team (1-12) that has lost 12 straight, including nine in which the Panthers had the lead or were tied in the second half.
Trailing 24-6, the Bills' comeback began when Alex Van Pelt hit Peerless Price for a seven-yard touchdown with one second left in the first half.
The Panthers continued to unravel in the second half, shut out by a keyed-up Bills defence.
Spoon's interception return cut Carolina's lead to 24-19 in the third quarter.
Van Pelt then made the comeback complete, driving the Bills 51 yards, capped by Henry's dive over the middle with 7:51 remaining.
The Panthers' last gasp ended when Buffalo linebacker Keith Newman batted down Chris Weinke's pass on a fourth-and-two play with
under three minutes left. Carolina, which has now been outscored 164-98 in the second half, never got the ball back.
The Bills snapped an eight-game home losing streak, one short of the franchise low.
Van Pelt finished 20-for-29 for 277 yards in his fourth start in place of starter Rob Johnson, who's out indefinitely with a broken
collarbone.
Henry had 27 carries for 101 yards, as the Bills enjoyed one of their most effective running attacks of the season.
Newly signed placekicker Shayne Andrews hit field goals from 20 and 27 yards.
The Panthers dominated the first half.
Weinke scored on a one-yard plunge to break a 3-3 tie and Richard Huntley made it 17-3 with a two-yard run in the second quarter.
After Andrews kicked a field goal, Weinke hit Kris Mangum for a 2-yard touchdown.
Weinke finished 15-for-30 for 153 yards.
The Bills' patchwork defensive front was further decimated when it lost veteran nose tackle Pat Williams to an undisclosed leg injury in the first quarter. Earlier this week, Buffalo lost veteran nose tackle Shawn Price, who will miss the rest of the season with ligament damage in his left knee.
At halftime, the Bills honoured former coach Marv Levy for last summer's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"In going into the Hall of fame, I am so aware of what you, the Buffalo Bills fans have meant to me, to the city, the area, and to professional football," said Levy, who earned a standing ovation after being presented his Hall of Fame ring. "There is no place I would rather be than right here, with you, right now."
