Two Bills Drive

‘Buffalo’s playoff hopes are flickering, but a loss to the Pats would probably snuff the flame.’

‘Whether the Bills’ coaches can throw a few kinks in the Patriots’ game plan will be a key factor in "Bledsoe Bowl II." New England has a distinct edge in defensive talent. But the Bills’ defense needs to find some way to contain Brady better than in the first meeting.’

‘"I’m being consistent, but I’m not making enough of the big plays," Robinson said.’

‘He has Pats quarterback Tom Brady attacking the defense horizontally, with high-percentage, rhythm throws, many within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.’

‘It was no surprise that Covington went down fighting. He wasn’t one to back away from a challenge, a party or a fight. People who knew him in Buffalo weren’t surprised by the news of his death, either. Since his career ended, there were whispers he had fallen into a bad crowd.’

‘”I do know I have a lot of fans there and there are a lot of people who appreciate what I did,” Bledsoe said earlier in the week. “I expect a little bit of a mixed reaction. There will be some people who cheer for me. But during the course of the game, I expect the New England fans to do exactly what they did when I was there which was support their team.”‘

”’The people are friendlier in the south. People in New York, they just walk past you. You say something and they just keep walking.”’

‘The winningest coach in Bills history wasn’t even aware of Second String until a reporter mentioned it to him the other day. When apprised of the film’s plot, his interest was piqued. “I’ll probably take a look at it, just out of curiosity, and who knows, maybe I’ll enjoy it,” he said of the dramatic comedy that airs at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 on TNT.’

‘A loss by Buffalo will effectively eliminate it from the congested conference race due to its poor AFC (3-6) and division (2-6) records, dooming the Bills in any tiebreaker among 9-7 teams.’

‘Classy and reserved by nature, Bledsoe never has been one to provide billboard material for the opposition. But if his pride was hurt when he got traded, it may have been trampled in that debacle five weeks ago. He may be quiet about it, but Bledsoe has plenty to prove today.’

‘”In that game, the Patriots played with the formula they used to win the championship last year,” Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. “They allowed us to make some plays coming down the field but really tightened up when we got into the red zone. We didn’t put the ball in the end zone and that’s what we need to do.”‘

”’I wouldn’t say I’m running better this year,” he said. ”I look at myself, and I’m a little bit hesitant on certain plays. I look at the film and I see I could have hit the hole a little harder instead of stutter-stepping.”’

‘Since Brady took over on Sept. 23, 2001, vs. the New York Jets in relief of the injured Bledsoe, the former Michigan star has played in 30 consecutive games (including the playoffs).’

‘“At a certain level I was disappointed that I didn’t get to play as a Patriot in the new stadium,” said Bledsoe. “But I am proud of the fact that I was part of the teams that were there when the stadium was approved, and when it started to be built. It’s a little bit disappointing that the thing didn’t get done before I left, but at least I get a chance to come and see it now.”’

‘The Bills are certain to be ready for that approach if the Patriots try to repeat it, so it’s up to the Pats coaching staff to come up with another way to keep Bledsoe out of his rhythm. You can be sure it involves pressure up the middle of the field, because it’s suicide to let Bledsoe step up into the pocket with clean looks into the secondary.’