Two Bills Drive

‘What have you found to be the best perk about being an NFL player?

“Mondays when you pick up that check. Boy, that’s lovely. No, the best part is just putting on the helmet, putting on the gear. As a little kid that’s what you dream about, to put on the uniform. I haven’t experienced running out of the tunnel yet (during pregame introductions at Ralph Wilson Stadium), but as of right now it’s putting on the gear.”‘

‘Today, the Bills again play a team from New York with the same record, and this time the question becomes which one will keep its microscopic playoff hopes alive for at least another week.’

‘In his 17 regular-season starts, the Jets are 11-6, and he has completed 67.9 percent of his passes and thrown for 34 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. Pennington’s passer rating is 102.7 over that stretch, and he is the second-rated quarterback in the league at 99.2 this season, behind only the Titans’ Steve McNair.’

‘Martin, who hasn’t missed a game in five years despite severe ankle, knee and lower-back injuries, is enjoying one of his healthiest seasons.’

‘The Bills are playing better football right now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where they are ranked No. 3 in the NFL in overall defense. They, of course, are coming off a 24-7 rout of the Giants last week.’

‘”I know that I’m gonna get past this,” Chrebet says. “That’s not a question, it’s a certainty . . . I’m just looking forward to coming back as good as ever. Mentally and physically healthy.”‘

‘”He is probably one of the toughest guys as a running back that I have been around for his size,” Edwards said. “His pain tolerance is very, very unique. He has done a lot in his career and he generally lines up every week and plays for us.”‘

‘”I don’t even think the Jets knew what they were getting when they drafted him,” he said. “They thought they were getting a punt returner. I knew they were getting much more than that.”‘

‘Before he worries about his long-term future with the Jets, Herman Edwards ought to figure out the basics of clock management – take a knee! And while he’s at it, figure out how to avoid slow starts. His yearly progression reads: 1-2, 1-4, 0-4.’

‘The only thing they have going for them is a defense that can stop the run, but even that probably won’t stop coach Gregg Williams from getting fired.’

‘The Bills, whose coach, Gregg Williams, will likely be fired at the end of the season, are coming off a 24-7 shellacking of the Giants last week.’

‘Jets 24, Bills 13.’

‘Moss caught only three passes against the Bills that afternoon, but one of them was for a touchdown. From that game until the streak was broken Monday, Moss caught a scoring pass in a team-record seven straight games.’

‘Herm Edwards is a keeper. The Jets should show him the money, give him the ball, and hope he can someday carry another Miracle of the Meadowlands to the biggest Sunday in sports.’

‘The Bills will try to make plays from behind a shaky offensive line that has yielded 36 sacks this season.’