Turning three turnovers into 13 points and getting the game-clinching run from their oldest player, the Bills earned a 23-20 overtime win in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
And in victory, much-scrutinized Bills quarterback EJ Manuel turned in a solid performance, completing 16-of-22 passes for 173 yards with one passing TD and a rushing score. He was picked once, which Chicago turned into a touchdown of its own. But that was Buffalo’s only major miscue of the game, compared to Chicago’s three turnovers, which included a pair of Jay Cutler interceptions.
The Bears sent the game to overtime on a Robbie Gould field goal with 37 seconds left in regulation. The Bears then won the toss in OT, giving them a chance to win the game right then and there. But Buffalo forced a three-and-out, giving the Bills’ offense the opportunity to capitalize.
And indeed, Buffalo did. On the third play of the drive, Manuel hit receiver Mike Williams on a 20-yard strike, moving the Bills to the Chicago 44.
Two plays later, the Bills put Chicago away, with 33-year-old tailback Fred Jackson rushing for a 38-yard gain off left end to the Chicago 1. On the play, Jackson delivered two stiff-arms to Bears free safety Chris Conte, who had picked Manuel earlier in the contest.
After Manuel took a knee to move the ball into the middle of the field and a delay of game penalty, Dan Carpenter hit a 27-yard field goal to give Buffalo the win.
For the Bears, the defeat looms as a potentially major setback. Six of Chicago’s next eight games are away from home. The club also saw wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), center Roberto Garza (ankle) and left guard Matt Slauson (ankle) depart with injuries. According to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune, Jeffery indicated afterward that the club was just being careful with his injury.
For the Bills, the win might well have been the biggest in the Buffalo tenures of Manuel and head coach Doug Marrone. There have been multiple reports of internal strife in Buffalo, and the club added veteran quarterback Kyle Orton after the preseason.
But in the regular season opener, Manuel did his job well. He wasn’t perfect, but he led a balanced offense that capitalized on every Chicago mistake.