Two Bills Drive

‘Recognizing a need at safety, the Patriots reacquired veteran Chris Hayes on Monday to fill their roster vacancy. Hayes, 30, was with the Patriots during training camp, but they released him on Aug. 30 before the season began.’

‘So who has the edge at Gillette this weekend? The Patriots have already exposed the Bills’ weaknesses on defense once this season. It’s doubtful that they will execute the exact same game plan, but why stray from what works?’

‘But every offense needs one thing and it was the big difference against Miami. It’s what the Bills didn’t have against the Jets. Field position.’

‘Patriots running back Antowain Smith will play in his fourth game against his former team this weekend when the Patriots host the Bills. Smith has rushed for an average of 102 yards in his three games against the Bills, including his 111-yard effort in the Patriots 38-7 victory on Nov. 3.’

‘In many ways the setup is similar to that of Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, which debuted last year as a kickers’ graveyard – the Steelers and their opponents combined to miss 16 of 33 field goal tries there during the regular season. Once December rolled around it was worse with the two sides going a combined 7-for-15.’

‘But if we’re going to blame Williams for some of the Bills’ shortcomings, and they still have many, we should also point out how he’s kept an even keel through the ups and downs.’

"It was a big game and a big win for us. We had our backs against the wall, we needed to answer and we did. I'm very proud of how the team responded and battled back through some tough times in the ball game and didn't lose confidence in themselves. They came up with a hard fought victory today."

Pardon the Miami Dolphins' defensive backs if that's how they feel today. They thought they had Eric Moulds covered, they were sure they had Peerless Price contained.

They read Moulds' route perfectly well, they collapsed on him– and, uh, left Price open. That's a safety who fled from a danger zone.

They zoned in on Drew Bledsoe's pass. They reached out and touched it– tapping it right into Moulds' outstretched hand. How touching, Moulds must have been thinking. Thanks for the tip, guys.

‘Based on the records of all contenders in the conference, it’s very possible that only one team will come out of the AFC East.’

‘The team has about 13,000 tickets remaining for the Dec. 15 game against the San Diego Chargers and 28,000 for the Dec. 29 season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.’

‘You also put fannies in the seats by winning, and this team is not going to be a consistent winner until it fields a viable defense. And I just think that while Price is a terrific talent, the Bills could plug Josh Reed into his role, find a third receiver just about anywhere — free agency or the draft — and then put Price’s money to good use by bringing in defensive linemen and linebackers who can actually play.’

‘Dating to the end of the 2000 season, Buffalo had lost nine of its last 12 home games. That included a dismal 0-8 record against AFC East opponents by an average losing score of 30-17.’

‘Why did the Dolphins even bother trying to pass? With Williams running as well as he was, it was puzzling that the Dolphins didn’t give him the ball on every play. Naturally that sounds ridiculous, but he was killing the Bills, and the only time Buffalo stopped Miami is when Ray Lucas or Jay Fiedler tried to put the ball in the air. It was another case of coaches out-thinking themselves.’

‘The Patriots have given up 1,520 yards on the ground, 4.6 yards a pop, ranking them 25th in the league.’

‘“Around here, you just never know,” said defensive end Bobby Hamilton. “I know Romeo and coach Belichick are going to have something. Whatever it is, we have to make it work. Whether it be five linebackers, two linebackers, no defensive linemen, 11 cornerbacks, whatever. We just have to go out there and get the job done. But we also know Drew is going to be ready.”’