Two Bills Drive

‘In addition to the five sacks, which ties him for the second-most on the team, Newman is tied with fellow Tampa native Ted Washington for fifth on the team with 65 tackles. Through 11 games, he already has 17 more tackles and 1 1/2 more sacks than Northern had all of last season.’

‘Ray Hill, who broke into the NFL with Buffalo in 1998, was signed by the Bills on Wednesday in an attempt to bolster their injured defensive backfield.’

‘"I think pressure on the quarterback is going to be critical because (the Bills) seem to get into a rhythm," Bucs’ coach Tony Dungy said. "When you don’t pressure him, he throws very well."’

‘Whether double-teamed or single covered, Moulds has been very hard to stop this season. The fifth-year veteran is having an All-Pro year, leading the NFL with 76 catches. His 1,019 receiving yards are sixth in the NFL and third in the AFC.’

‘Frankly, I thought the Bills had too many holes – soggy running game, inexperience in too many places, ghastly work on the return and coverage special teams – to qualify for the playoffs. I’m starting to change my mind and only part of the reason has to do with Rob Johnson’s big game in the road victory at Kansas City.’

‘Anonymous comments from an offensive player in Sports Illustrated three weeks ago caused an uproar, but the team seemed to rally behind Johnson last week in Kansas City and the turmoil appears to have passed – at least on the surface.’

‘The Buffalo Bills are on a serious roll, and if they can keep it going, the playoffs may not be their only reward. They might just take the AFC East Division title as well.’

‘Well, for the Bills, brains had nothing to do with anything. This game was about heart. It was about guts. And we all found out Sunday the Bills have plenty of both.’

‘The Bills are 7-4 and very much alive in the playoff hunt because they have two QBs who can play.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ worst fears about the health of left cornerback Antoine Winfield were realized yesterday when it was determined he’ll need season-ending surgery on his right shoulder to repair torn cartilage.’

‘Coach Wade Phillips said on Monday that Winfield was examined by team doctors who have scheduled surgery for Wednesday.’

‘"To make the play like he did, it was a defining play for us," Phillips said. "It defined our football team. … It’s the grittiness, the toughness, the want-to, those kind of things that I think our team has. He showed that."’

‘As much as they dominated early, the Bills could easily have lost this one … and probably would have early in the season.’

‘I’ve got to believe that Johnson has put all his doubters to rest once and for all.’

‘After Sunday’s 21-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Buffalo finds itself only one game out of first in the division and very much in contention for a playoff spot.’