Avant's big day marred by turnovers

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- You know things have gotten really bad when Jason Avant is fumbling the ball.

Avant?

He may have the best hands of any Eagles receiver since Mike Quick, but he committed two costly and uncharacteristic turnovers Sunday in the Eagles 31-24 loss (see story) to the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Its disappointing, Avant said. I felt like I was in a situation that caused the outcome of the game, and you never want to be on that side of it where you dont make the play to be in position to win. You always want to be on the victorious side.

I feel bad for the other guys being that guy. I take the onus for it. I didnt play my best game today when it came to ball security. To the team, Im sorry for it.

The Eagles committed five turnovers Sunday (see story), and Avant had a hand in two of them.

Incredibly rare for a guy who hadnt fumbled at all since 2009 and hadnt lost a fumble since 2006.

Just not good, he said. Not good.

With 5:12 left in the third quarter and the Eagles facing a first-and-10 on their own two-yard-line, Michael Vick found Avant down the deep left sideline for a 35-yard gain.

But safety Jairus Byrd stripped Avant of the ball and recovered at the Eagles 37-yard-line. The Bills took a 31-14 lead seven plays later on a Rian Lindell field goal.

Then, with the Eagles driving for what they hoped was a tying touchdown right after the two minute warning, Vick threw a short pass to Avant on a third-and-3 from the Buffalo 25-yard-line.

Avant was just shy of the first down line but was unable to control the ball when cornerback Drayton Florence came in and tore it away. Before it hit the ground, linebacker Nick Barnett caught it and returned it 16 yards.

The first one, I thought I had it secure and a guy got it out, Avant said. The second one, they caught us in a good defense and as soon as I caught it, a guy went for the ball before I really had a chance to tuck it. It was a great defensive play by them. They got it out.

Last time Avant fumbled was in a game against the Chiefs in 2009 after catching a 10-yard pass from Kevin Kolb. The fumble was forced by Jarrad Page, now starting for the Eagles, but the ball bouncd out of bounds, so he was not credited with a lost fumble.

Before Sunday, Avants only lost fumble came his rookie year, in Tampa in 2006, forced by Ronde Barber and recovered by Torrie Cox.

Avant had 168 consecutive receptions without a fumble until Sunday.

Those two plays overshadowed what was otherwise another outstanding game for Avant. He caught a career-high nine passes and recorded his third career 100-yard game, with 139 yards. Thats second-most of his six-year career, behind his 156 against the Chargers in 2009.

Avant is one of only nine players left from the 2006 team and one of the few veteran leaders the offense has.

I understand that guys look up to me and I dont shy away from that, he said. I go out and give it everything I have and play as hard as I can ... and today wasnt good enough with ball security.

You dont want to be on that end of those plays ... but I understand that in a game like this, there has to be somebody to blame, and Ill take that.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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