Two Bills Drive

‘Since 2001, the Bills rank last in the NFL in both turnover differential and sack differential (excluding the second-year Houston Texans). That’s a parlay guaranteed to lose a lot of football games.’

‘And, surprisingly, the Bills’ faithful remain loyal, producing the fifth home sellout in as many games this season.’

‘The Texans have allowed an average of 137 rushing yards a game, fourth-worst in the NFL. Not surprisingly, opposing offensive coordinators are watching game tape and making it a point to exploit the Texans’ injury-depleted defensive line.’

‘It has become painfully obvious that the Texans can’t defend the run, and the Bills will exploit that on a day when the conditions could make it difficult to throw the ball. Buffalo’s defense has been solid, but the Texans consistently have moved the ball on good defenses this season. The offense can’t afford to leave plays on the field, as it did in last week’s loss to Cincinnati. If it does, the result will be the same.’

‘All of which sends Fangio scrambling in against the Buffalo Bills the way he has since the start of the season, scheming and plotting and playing chess without the right number of pieces, juggling with one arm. The defense that a year ago was eighth-best overall in the league now is ranked 31st.’

‘A recent survey of NFL physicians showed that nearly 90 percent of NFL athletes who tore the ACL — the primary stabilizing ligament in the knee — were able to return to competition after surgery. That doesn’t mean all were as good as they were before their injury. The Buffalo Bills, the Texans’ opponent today, are counting on the percentages after selecting former Miami running back Willis McGahee late in the first round of this year’s draft despite serious health questions. The All-America running back, projected as a top draft pick, tore the ACL, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) early in the fourth quarter of the Hurricanes’ 31-24 double-overtime loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.’

‘However, as far as Foreman is concerned, there would be no place better to turn that around than tomorrow in Ralph Wilson Stadium, where he enjoyed his first three seasons in the NFL. He will not admit to holding any grudges against his old squad, but the fire burns deep within him to even the mark against the team that traded him, after Buffalo defeated the Texans last year 31-24 here in Houston. “It might mean a little bit more, but not too much more,” Foreman said. “Maybe last year it meant more because I had just been traded and I still didn’t know how to act or react to the trade.”‘

‘”My confidence is very high right now. It has to be because of the fact that the coaches let a good player like Peerless Price go because they believed that I was good enough to do the job.”‘

‘The punter donates $100 each time he kicks inside the 20 yard mark, and his goal is to get a pledge form out in which other people can donate along with him. The main thing for Moorman is that he is getting awareness for pediatric cancer research and helping to raise the percentage of children that survive it.’

‘Perhaps the biggest difference in the Texans is their feistiness. Two of their last three losses were by seven points or less, and a 30-21 defeat at Indianapolis was closer than the final score indicated.’

‘Given the importance of Sunday’s game it would take a lot to keep Moulds on the sideline. But he has maintained he wouldn’t play if he were unable to help the team.’

‘In the 17 games since, the Bills are 7-10 including 1-8 on the road. During that stretch Bledsoe’s QB rating is 73.4, he averages almost 100 yards less passing per game and has thrown 14 TDs compared to 18 interceptions.’

‘Let Gilbride work on the game plan during the week, but on game day the demanding job of operating that plan needs a fresh set of eyes.’

‘The Texans have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL.’

‘Prediction: Bills 28 Texans 20 (Season record 5-4). The 28 points will come from 6 field goals and 2 safeties. You don’t really think this offense could score four touchdowns!’