Denver Broncos Last Second Field Goal Wins Over Buffalo Bills
With 1 second left to go in the game, Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam nailed a 42-yard field goal that put the Broncos up 15-14 to win against the Buffalo Bills at the Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
The Denver Broncos gained possession at their 34 yard line with a little over 2 minutes remaining after a Buffalo Bills punt. A few plays after, it looked like the Buffalo Bills were going to regain the ball with 1:43 remaining and the Broncos still had 23 yards to go on the 3rd down. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler made a short pass to Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker who took it 21 yards even getting injured in the play. In a 4th down and 2 yards to go situation, Cutler took it himself for 7 yards to give the Broncos a first down and some hope.
Eventually, their drive brought them all the way to the Buffalo 24 yard line, and with 18 seconds and no time-outs for Denver Broncos, they scrambled and rushed to set up a field goal with the clock still ticking away. And with one second left, Jason Elam, who had missed two field goal attempts earlier in the game, made sure of his kick from 42 yards out to give the Denver Broncos the win over the Buffalo Bills by 1 point.
And while the Buffalo Bills lost the game, it seems that they even lost much more than that. Buffalo Bills reserve tight end Kevin Everett was injured at the start of the 3rd quarter after making a tackle on Domenik Hixon’s kick-off return. Kevin Everett was taken off in an ambulance from the field.
According to news reports, Kevin Everett sustained a “catastrophic” and life-threatening spinal-cord injury and is unlikely to walk again.
“A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely. I believe there will be some permanent neurologic deficit,” explained orthopedic surgeon Andrew Cappuccino.
Everett is still in the intensive care unit of the Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital in Buffalo, where he is under sedation and breathing through a respirator as doctors wait for the swelling to lessen. Cappuccino said it will take up to three days to determine the severity of the injury and the recovery process.
Cappuccino repaired a break between the third and fourth vertebrae and also alleviated the pressure on the spinal cord. In reconstructing his spine, doctors made a bone graft and inserted a plate, held in by four screws, and also inserted two small rods, held in place by another four screws.
Doctors, however, weren’t able to repair all the damage.
Kevin Everett was Buffalo’s 2005 third-round draft pick out of Miami, but missed his rookie season with a knee injury. Everett had been playing with Buffalo’s special teams and was hoping to make an impact this year as a wide reserve.
“It’s difficult because you know the situation,” said Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Thomas, who is also one of Everett’s best friends on the team. “We have to move on. But he’ll always be in our thoughts and in our prayers.”
Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him Sunday evening, offering the league’s support.
“We honor ourselves by our work, and we honor Kevin by moving forward and working while never forgetting Kevin and never getting him out of our thoughts and prayers,” Dick Jauron said. “We’re going to wait and see what the outcome is here and we’re really hoping and praying for the best.”
While the injury to Kevin Everett is looming on the minds of the Buffalo Bills, they are trying to maintain the focus to play hard in their second game of the 2007 NFL regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are now under new coach Mike Tomlin, replacing the iconic Bill Cowher who retired after coaching the Steelers for 15 years. The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to continue their top football form, which saw them destroy the Cleveland Browns in their 2007 NFL regular season opener 34-7.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Big Ben Roethlisberger threw for 161 yards, made 4 TDs and zero interceptions in their 34-7 win against the Cleveland Browns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are favorites over the Buffalo Bills, but sportsbook oddsmakers are giving the Bills a +10 on the point spread to make it interesting.
For odds on other games of the 2007 NFL Regular Season, click here.
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