Two Bills Drive

‘"I was playing like a robot," Carpenter said, recalling his first few games as the Buffalo Bills’ new starting free safety. "I was trying to play mistake-free. And the plays weren’t happening."’

‘Tampa Bay’s defense has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks this season. The Buccaneers have recorded 43 sacks, second in the NFL and only one off the franchise record set in 1997. The Bills have given up 33 sacks, the ninth-highest total in the league, while Johnson has been sacked 29 times. Uh, oh.’

‘Cornerback Antoine Winfield’s season is officially over as the Buffalo Bills placed him on the injured reserve list. He had successful surgery Wednesday to repair torn cartilage on his right shoulder.’

‘The Buccaneers rank 25th in the NFL in passing offense and Shaun King is far from a polished quarterback, but when he takes on the Bills Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, his mouth will be watering in anticipation. The Buffalo secondary is in disarray with the season-ending injury to starting cornerback Antoine Winfield and the nagging sprained ankle that might keep nickel cornerback Donovan Greer on the sidelines again.’

‘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.’