 Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (C) throws a pass while on the run against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of their NFL football game in Phoenix, Arizona October 14, 2012. (REUTERS/Ralph D. Freso) |
In a story better told on the National Geographic Channel, Byrd picked the Cardinals’ Skelton clean to allow the Buffalo Bills to escape Arizona with a 19-16 overtime victory.
On Arizona’s first possession in overtime, Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd picked off an errant pass from backup QB John Skelton, and returned it from the Cards’ 35-yard line down to the 6.
Two plays later, Buffalo’s Rian Lindell booted an easy 25-yard field goal.
It was Byrd’s second interception on the day.
How the game got to overtime left fans of both teams wondering.
Buffalo led 16-13 and had the ball deep in Arizona territory with four minutes left. Bills receiver/QB Brad Smith took a wildcat snap and threw a bad pass into the end zone, which Patrick Peterson intercepted —a miscue if ever there was one.
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On Arizona’s next possession, kicker Jay Feely nailed a 61-yard field goal with plenty of extra leg to tie the game.
After a Buffalo three-and-out and short punt, Skelton moved the ball to the Bills’ 20. But Feely’s 38-yarder on the last play of the fourth quarter was tipped by Bills defensive tackle Alex Carrington, and it struck the left upright — no good.
“I was able to get a hand up and get a piece of it,” Carrington told reporters.
It was Arizona’s first home loss in a year.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had another sub-par day throwing 153 yards for Buffalo.