Bills rally to beat Raiders, 38-35
Buffalo Bills' Scott Chandler (84) celebrates his touchdown catch as Oakland Raiders' Tyvon Branch (33) reacts. (Sept. 18, 2011) Credit: AP
The Buffalo Bills have one of their biggest win in years — even if they had to wait an extra 10 minutes for their 38-35 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
The officials needed that much time to confirm the Bills had intercepted the Raiders’ desperation pass in the end zone that ended a wild, back-and-forth fourth quarter.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson with 14 seconds left to give the Bills the lead.
Jason Campbell, who went 23 of 33 for 323 yards and two scores, tried to rally Oakland before having his last pass intercepted by Da’Norris Searcy in the end zone as time expired.
Referee Mike Carey returned to a near-empty stadium to review the final play and determine whether Searcy had intercepted Campbell’s pass.
With Nelson standing nearby, Carey confirmed the ruling, and confirming the Bills’ victory in their home opener.
Nelson proved to be the difference, scoring on a 6-yard touchdown catch with 14 seconds left to cap a wild finish in which the teams traded leads five times in the final 14:10.
The Bills improved to 2-0 by scoring on all five of their second-half possessions in overcoming a 21-3 first-half deficit.
Fred Jackson scored twice and had 117 yards rushing. Fitzpatrick finished 28 of 46 for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
The Raiders (1-1) couldn’t overcome a short week while playing their second straight road game. Darren McFadden scored twice as Oakland squandered a chance to open a season 2-0 for the first time since 2002.
Rookie receiver Denarius Moore had five catches for 146 yards and a touchdown — a 50-yarder with 3:41 left.
Back came the Bills. Fitzpatrick sent Buffalo on an 14-play, 80-yard drive to find Nelson alone in the end zone in converting a fourth-and-1.
After a convincing 41-7 win at Kansas City last weekend, they showed they’re capable of coming from behind.
Jackson got the comeback started with a 43-yard touchdown run to open third quarter.
Jackson then gave the Bills their first lead with a 1-yard plunge 50 seconds into the fourth quarter.
That’s when the drama began as the two teams then traded touchdowns drives on their next four possessions.
The Raiders’ defense allowed 481 yards, including 217 yards rushing. That was quite a turnaround for a unit that held the Broncos to 38 yards rushing on Monday.
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