Two Bills Drive

‘On the Lack of a Rushing Game Putting Too Much Pressure On the Passing Game: "The areas that I think we need to address are two areas. Number one, too many negative plays on early downs. We have a penalty on first down or we have a sack on first down, or we have a negative play on first down makes it hard to stay patient with the running game. Number two is our third conversions, partly because of that problem, but overall our third down conversion percentage has not been strong enough. When you don’t convert your third downs then you don’t get a chance to be patient with the running game. Those two areas are really making it hard for us to stay patient with the running game and on top of that we just haven’t been very effective with it the last couple of weeks."’

‘On the Inability To Run the Ball: "It’s not a lack of running game. It’s doing what you have to do on the field. We have to be able to stay on the field. We have to convert third downs and our defense needs to stop third downs. That’s how you win ball games."’

‘On Whether There’s a Lack of Commitment to Running Game: "I’m not the one to make that decision. I just go and execute the play that is called to the best of my ability. I just have to go out and do what they tell me to do."’

‘On the Penalties: "On third downs we couldn’t get off the field, which kept us on the field a long time. Offense didn’t convert on third downs, which hurt us. We just have to go and get back next week."’

‘On Aggressive Play On Last Drive: "It was very important, we kept reminding each other, players and coaches, to stay aggressive. Over our years here there have been times when I haven’t been aggressive enough and the coaches did a great job of reminding me of that."’

‘On the Play of the Offensive Line: "They played well today. We picked up the blitz well and for the ones I wasn’t able to pick up, I was able to get the ball out to the hot reads and let them turn up field to get some yards. Collectively the O-line played well."’

‘Following a touchback, the Eagles started at their own 20-yard line. Westbrook started the drive with a 3-yard run. Pinkston couldn’t quite hold onto McNabb’s pass on second down. On third down, McNabb fired to the right sideline and Thrash made a leaping grab for a 14-yard gain and first down.’

‘"All game we were just able to keep fighting," said McNabb, who completed 18-of-29 passes for 172 yards. "We never gave up."’

‘CB Sheldon Brown: Thrown into Eric Moulds duty when Troy Vincent went out of the game with a hamstring injury, Brown did a good job. He played tenacious defense, didn’t back down and stayed in Moulds’ face even though Brown prepared all week to see more of Bobby Shaw than Moulds.’

‘On one glorious Sunday, the Eagles used the three-headed running back to absolute perfection. Duce Staley, Correll Buckhalter and Brian Westbrook combined to give the offense dreamy production: 24 carries, 125 yards, 4 receptions and 21 yards. Totals: 28 touches, 146 yards and great blocking when quarterback Donovan McNabb faced the blitz.’

‘The defense did its job. Simon set the tone with an 8-yard sack of Bledsoe on Buffalo’s first play from scrimmage.’

‘But despite the absences of a host of key starters, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson managed to cook up a gameplan that, for the most part, shut down one of the NFL’s most-ballyhooed offense.’

‘On SS Michael Lewis’ forced fumble before halftime: "That was big. There were a couple of other close calls that could have gone either way. The officials had some tough calls they had to make today, but that helped."’

‘On the Bills getting the momentum back in the second half: "Offensively, we were on the sidelines talking to one another. We said if we got a couple first downs and put the ball in the end zone this game is over. James (Thrash) did a wonderful job of peeling away from the defender and I tried to just put it in a spot where he could get it. And to top it all off was Brian’s (Westbrook) touchdown. We never give up and that’s what this team is all about."’

‘"We came out and set the tempo on the offensive side and the defense was fired up," said quarterback Donovan McNabb. "We were just consistently making plays."’