Place-kicker Rian Lindell had been having a quietly frustrating season for
the Bills. Through the season's first five games, he had attempted just five
field goals, making three.
That lack of work was indicative of Buffalo's offensive struggles and failure
to drive consistently into the opponents' red zone.
In Sunday's victory over Baltimore, however, the Bills offense got on track,
earning four red-zone opportunities. Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards could get
his team into the end zone just once, but Lindell was there to pick up the
slack, connecting on three field goals and four overall.
The Bills won 19-14.
"It was great -- they all went through," said Lindell describing
how the game went for him. "I think anytime you can put points up after a
drive, that's good. You want a touchdown first, then a field goal. It's nice to
just keep chipping away and keep adding. Before long, you've got 12 points on
the board."
Lindell's two misses this season were costly, coming in one-point defeats to
Denver (from 45 yards) and Dallas (from 54).
The misses didn't happen at dramatic times, but when the opponent's kicker is
winning the game with kicks with no time on the clock -- which happened both
times -- it can be tough to watch.
Lindell remains Buffalo's all-time most accurate kicker at 82.64 percent (100
of 121). That's better than Steve Christie's 78.26 percent.
Lindell's four field goals on Sunday marked his fifth career four-field goal
game (all with Buffalo) and raised his career total to 158, tying him for 63rd
place on the NFL's all-time list, breaking a tie with Horst Muhlmann (154),
passing Toni Fritsch (157), and matching Mike Lansford (158).
"You just keep fighting, you just keep swinging," Lindell said
about his kicking philosophy. "It's nice because we've had two games that
were heart-wrenching and to keep positive and play well is great."
PLAYER NOTES
--QB Trent Edwards remains the only quarterback from the 2007 draft to start
this season. He was 2-1 subbing for injured J.P. Losman and has been named the
starter full-time. He was 7-of-12 for 76 yards on four field goal drives against
Baltimore on Sunday and threw a 54-yard completion to Lee Evans to set up a
touchdown.
--RB Marshawn Lynch scored his fourth touchdown of the season on Sunday
against Baltimore. That's the most by a Bills rookie running back since Travis Henry had four in 2001.
--TE Michael Gaines has a catch in six consecutive games dating to last
season, extending a career-long streak.
--WR Lee Evans is the ninth Bill with 3,000 career-receiving yards. He hit
the milestone in his 54th game, second fewest in club history. Frank Lewis
needed 52 games as a Bill to hit the mark.
--WR Josh Reed is beginning to heat up with big plays. He has had two
receptions of at least 25 yards in two of his last three games, including a
25-yarder against Baltimore that set up Buffalo's fourth field goal.
--DE Anthony Hargrove is starting to get in game shape after missing four
games serving an NFL suspension. In Sunday's win over Baltimore, he registered a
half-sack (with LB John DiGiorgio) and finished with three quarterback
pressures.
--PK Rian Lindell's four field goals on Sunday was his fifth career
four-field goal game. It raised his career total to 158, tying him for 63rd
place on the NFL's all-time list, breaking a tie with Horst Muhlmann (154),
passing Toni Fritsch (157), and matching Mike Lansford (158).
--LB Leon Joe has a bone bruise that will need further testing.
--DE Chris Kelsay suffered an ankle injury against the Ravens but was able to
return.
--LB Josh Stamer is nursing a calf injury but should be fine for this week's
game against the Jets.