Corey Graham on his big debut with the Buffalo Bills
By Cory Buck
The Buffalo Bills needed every big play they could get against the high-powered Chicago Bears. Despite continued success by Jay Cutler and his receivers in the passing game, the Bears played most of their Week 1 tilt against Buffalo from behind thanks to three turnovers forced by the Bills defense. One of those was an interception from newcomer Corey Graham, whose contributions didn’t end there.
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“I saw the tight end come down the seam and Jay [Cutler] was staring at him so I had an opportunity to over the top of him and make a play,” Graham said per the Buffalo Bills website of his second quarter interception that he returned for 45 yards.
The Bills needed just one play to score a touchdown and make the game 17-7. It was a deficit the Bears would spend the entire game reducing until the end, when once again the defense turned to Graham.
With the Bills leading 20-17 late in the fourth quarter, the Bears had 2nd and 1 at Buffalo’s 19 yard line. Cutler passed in Graham’s direction on two straight plays and was foiled twice, forcing the team to kick a field goal and go to overtime, where the Bills would win it.
“When quarterbacks are going to test you like that you’ve got to find a way to make plays,” the veteran Graham concluded.
With Stephon Gilmore still nursing injury, expect Graham to continue to play a big role in the improving Buffalo Bills defense.