Seattle Seahawks’ defensive stand ends Buffalo Bills’ bid for upset

A controversial play just before halftime of Monday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks resulted in Bills kicker Dan Carpenter taking a shot from Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. While it is certainly possible the game would have played out differently, if the Bills had made the field goal at the end of the first half, they might have only trailed by three on their final drive.

The Bills drove to the Seattle 7 with nearly a minute left, but a third-down sack by Cliff Avril and a Tyrod Taylor incompletion sealed it. Buffalo had first-and-goal from the 10-yard line before the game-saving stop by the Seahawks. The Bills had an extra down, so they spiked the ball on the next play, leaving one second on the clock for Carpenter to come back out and attempt a 48-yard field goal. Team owner Arthur Blank has been pleased with the relationship between Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn. Then of course, they had to put the K-ball [the ball used for kicks] out there and they don’t reset the clock.

Monday night’s Seahawks-Bills game was surprisingly action-packed – at least when you consider both teams’ relative lack of offense this season.

The NFL, however, said Sherman should have been fouled for unnecessary roughness after the game was over.

But with umpire Butch Hannah standing over the ball until about four seconds remained on the play clock, the Bills couldn’t get the snap off in time and were called for delay of game – though they did follow through the kick, which was good.

One thing we do know is it shouldn’t have gone down the way it actually did, as the National Football League admitted to mistakes made by officials on the play. And the first-half officiating clownshow will no doubt be ascribed to Seahawks villainy, too.

What was even worse was that because Carpenter was hurt on the play and treated, he was forced to leave the field on the next play. With the kick moved back for a 54-yard attempt, Carpenter missed wide right and the Bills went into locker room trailing by 11. “From an officiating standpoint, I think they can do a little better than that”.

The Seahawks, now 5-2-1, holds a two-game lead over the 3-4-1 Arizona Cardinals.

“It should have been unnecessary roughness”, he said of the Sherman hit. He finished with 289 yards passing, another 43 rushing and two touchdowns.

It’s safe to say Robert Woods’ foot is feeling better.

The Bills had a chance to win it in the final minute, marching to the Seattle 10 before the drive stalled.

Sherman tried to take the high road, but with a twist. With three seconds to go, and still first down, they chose to do a quick spike.

On a Bills conference call on Tuesday, Ryan responded, “Next time I’m asked a question about one of Pete’s players, I should ask him what the appropriate response is”. With 3 seconds left, Sherman was penalized for being offside as he tore off the edge and rolled hard into Carpenter.