By Matt Sohn
Sept. 8, 2008

All too often, the media and fans become so focused on the X's and O's of offense and defense that we lose sight of the fact that those two areas are only two-thirds of football. But every coach knows the importance that special teams play in the outcome of a game, and the Bills reminded us on Sunday of just how critical that phase of the game is. In Buffalo’s 34-10 dismantling of the five-time defending NFC West champion Seahawks, Bobby April’s unit put on a kicking-game clinic. Roscoe Parrish, the league’s top punt returner a season ago, returned six punts for a 120 yards, including one 63 yards for a touchdown. Brian Moorman averaged 46.6 yards on nine punts, pinning three of them inside the 20-yard line. More spectacularly, he executed a brilliant 19-yard TD pass to reserve DE Ryan Denney on a fake field goal in the third quarter. The coverage units might have given up a few more yards than they’re accustomed to, but forcing a fumble by Seahawks KR Josh Wilson more than makes up for it.

The PFW spin

There was little doubt entering the season that Buffalo boasted the best special-teams units in the league. Sunday’s dominance confirmed that notion. In a way, Buffalo’s special-teams proclivity falls in line with its reputation as a team — the Bills might not have the most physically talented players, but nobody works harder, is tougher or outcoaches them. As most coaches will say, special teams is as much about effort as it is about ability.

The Ravens’ decision this offseason to entrust Eagles special-teams coordinator John Harbaugh with their head-coaching job proves how valuable expertise in that area of the game is. Bill Belichick is another coach who earned his stripes coaching the kicking game.

The amazing aspect of the Bills’ special-teams dominance on Sunday is that they didn’t even receive great performances from all of their stalwarts. KR Terrence McGee, one of the best in the league, had just a single return for a modest 27 yards. Dependable PK Rian Lindell had a 52-yard FG attempt blocked. And rookie CB-RS Leodis McKelvin didn’t return a single kickoff or punt. But the NCAA Division I record-holder for kick-return touchdowns oozes with ability, and looms as an ace in the hole whenever the team decides to use him.

Although Bills new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has inserted a more vibrant passing game and offense, it still stresses ball control. Subsequently, winning the field-position battle is critical for Buffalo (not that it’s not for other teams), and this is an area where Buffalo perpetually holds an advantage over its opponents.

If a suddenly more balanced AFC East comes down to the kicking game, look for Buffalo to waltz into the postseason for the first time since 1999. The Bills' unit is definitely better than the Jets’ strong kicking unit, and far better than the Patriots in that department. The Dolphins have among the worst special teams in the NFL.