Doubt can be a powerful foe. Because it builds up over time and is constantly reinforced by fresh layers of disappointment and mistrust, it doesn’t succumb easily. The foundation must be steadily weakened, chipped away at slowly so that when doubt finally crumbles, there can be no denying its destruction. For that reason, maybe the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions needed to have their losing streaks against New England and Minnesota on the line in Week 3 of the NFL season. After Sunday, both are gone, leaving behind a pair of long forsaken teams that, as crazy as it seems, must be considered legitimate contenders.
First, kicker Rian Lindell completed the Bills’ stunning comeback from a three-touchdown deficit to the Patriots with a 28-yard field goal as time expired. That gave them a 34-31 victory and ended a stretch of 15 straight defeats to New England since 2003.
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Moments later, kicker Jason Hanson did the same in overtime with a 32-yard shot that curved just inside the left upright for the Lions, who beat the Vikings 26-23. That expunged the frustration of a 20-0 Minnesota lead and was their first road win in Minnesota in 14 attempts.
Calvin Johnson had a pair of touchdown receptions for the third straight game, helping the Lions reach 3-0 for the first time since 1980. The perfect record doesn’t mean they’re perfect — just ask Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus — but when mistakes don’t give the game away, they leave open the door for belief they can be overcome.
When Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick torched Kansas City in Week 1 and led his team back from 18 points down to beat Oakland in Week 2, it made for some nice buzz. But in the same game against New England last year, tempted by a similarly unimpressive Patriots defense, the Bills never showed up, bowing out meekly 34-3.
On Sunday, after Fitzpatrick confidently drove his team for the winning score — while Tom Brady watched from the sideline with four interceptions — security at Ralph Wilson Stadium had to protect against the crowd tearing down the goal posts. It’s a sign that the demolition of disbelief is complete and Buffalo is ready to trust its own devotion to the Bills again.
– Craig Stouffer
