Bills coach Rex Ryan turned to Ray Lewis to inspire his team the night before their showdown against the unbeaten Patriots.
Rex Ryan confirms that Ray Lewis spoke to the Bills on Sunday night before Monday night’s game. Won’t get into what he told team.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) November 25, 2015
Lewis has two Super Bowl rings and sounds like he can be a motivating speaker, but Ryan should have brushed up on his history.
Lewis would have been a great choice if Ryan wanted the Bills to hear a how-to speech on how to come painfully close to ruining a Patriots’ perfect season on a Monday night only to blow it.
That’s what happened in 2007. The Ravens led the 11-0 Patriots 24-20 with less than a minute left. Tom Brady threw an incomplete pass on fourth down, but the Ravens were called for defensive holding and the Patriots had a first-and-goal. Brady took advantage by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney on the next play.
Bart Scott was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the touchdown, famously threw the flag into the stands and got another unsportsmanlike conduct tacked on.
The Patriots won 27-24 and finished the regular season 16-0.
The Bills didn’t come that close to beating the Patriots in their 20-13 loss. Perhaps they would have if Ryan got in touch with David Tyree.
The next night on ESPN: “If you’re asking me Bill Belichick or Rex Ryan, I’m taking Rex Ryan all day.” Hmm… https://t.co/xd3sNAv986
— Erik Frenz (@ErikFrenz) November 25, 2015