By Tim Graham
What was Chan Gailey thinking?
One of the great unanswered questions from Sunday's game in Ralph Wilson Stadium dealt with Gailey's decision to let Rian Lindell attempt a 50-yard field goal for the first time since Halloween 2010.
Lindell made the kick in the Buffalo Bills' 34-18 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wind and rain.
What made Gailey's choice interesting was that twice in the previous six games he declined to let Lindell try field goals of a similar length in climate-controlled domes. Gailey opted to punt instead of having Lindell try a 53-yarder in overtime against the Arizona Cardinals in Week Six and a 52-yarder last week against the Indianapolis Colts.
So what made Sunday's situation different?
"We had a two-touchdown lead," Gailey said. "There was [2:14] left in the third quarter. If you go up by more than two scores, that's a big difference. Our defense is playing great at that point.
"To me, the risk-reward factor, the reward was bigger than the risk at that time."
Gailey also acknowledged it was good timing to have Sunday's opportunity arise just one week after Lindell's most recent long-distance snub.
"I'm sure it helps him," Gailey said. "They're all competitors. They think they can do it. They believe in themselves. He shouldn't be kicking if he doesn't believe in himself.
"So, yeah, he wants to, and I'm glad the opportunity presented itself that he doesn't think I don't have confidence in him. I do."
