Buffalo Bills release punter Shawn Powell after disastrous performance

Aug 16, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills punter Shawn Powell (6) kicks the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Vikings 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills punter Shawn Powell (6) kicks the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Vikings 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 16, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills punter Shawn Powell (6) kicks the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Vikings 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills punter Shawn Powell (6) kicks the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Vikings 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

The Buffalo Bills lost a narrow game last night to the Cleveland Browns due to a number extenuating circumstances. They lost their starting quarterback early in the third quarter after it appeared they were ready to take control of the game, and the defense couldn’t hold on to a lead after backup quarterback Jeff Tuel was ineffective in relief of E.J. Manuel.

But the biggest reason they lost last night was the ineffectiveness of their punter, Shawn Powell, who repeatedly punted the ball poorly to Browns return-man Travis Benjamin, who ended up setting the team single-game record for punt return yards.

Today, the Bills made sure Powell wouldn’t cost them another game, cutting him less than 12 hours after the game ended: