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Lynch, Lindell's four FGs help Bills defeat Ravens

Oct 21, 2007 - 9:56 PM ORCHARD PARK, New York (Ticker) -- During a season of difficult losses, the Buffalo Bills finally were able to hang on and win one.

Rookie Marshawn Lynch ran for 84 yards and a touchdown and Rian Lindell kicked four field goals as the Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 19-14, on Sunday.

Buffalo (2-4), which has lost two games on last-second field goals - including their last game against the Dallas Cowboys on October 8 - held the lead from start to finish in this one.

"We didn't want to let history repeat itself", Bills safety Donte Whitner said. "So guys got to together on the sidelines and said we're not going to let them take this game from us. We played too hard and too well to let them win."

The Ravens, who trailed by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter, failed on a fourth-down conversion from the Buffalo 8-yard line early in the quarter.

Baltimore (4-3) had possession with a chance to take the lead, but Kyle Boller's pass on 4th-and-1 from midfield went incomplete with 1:49 left.

"It feels good to finally win a close one, it's a happy locker room," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "As you well know Baltimore is a fine football team. I thought that Trent (Edwards) managed the game well, our defense played a tremendous game. Just really happy to get a win."

Boller completed 21-of-36 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown but lost for the first time in three games this season as a starter.

Willis McGahee, who was a member of the Bills for the first four years of his career, gained 114 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown in his highly anticipated return to Buffalo.

The Bills came into the game ranked 31st on offense, but Lynch - who was drafted to replace McGahee - rushed 27 times Sunday.

"It was nothing personal between me and him but you can't think about nothing other than that", Lynch said. "With the fans, every time he touched the ball they were booing. I've been watching Willis since I was young. I've always admired him as a running back."

Lindell was good on field goals from 29, 26, and 35 yards on three straight possessions to give Buffalo a 9-0 lead with 10:22 to play in the first half.

"They went great, they all went through", Lindell said. "It's good to get the win, good to contribute to a win."

McGahee put the Ravens on the board on the first possession of the second half with a 46-yard TD run to trim the deficit to 9-7.

"It was a great call", McGahee said. "They did exactly what we expected them to do. They ran over and I just had to make one person miss and it was off to the races."

After Lindell's fourth field goal gave the Bills a 12-7 lead, Lee Evans hauled in a 54-yard reception and Lynch ran in a 1-yard touchdown five plays later to give Buffalo a 19-7 cushion with 2:14 left in the third.

Cornerback Samari Rolle's interception gave the Ravens the ball on the Bills 14-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, and Boller found Derrick Mason on fourth down for a 15-yard score to cut the deficit to 19-14.

The score marked the first time in 11 possessions this season that the Ravens scored a touchdown after starting a drive in opponent's territory.