Two Bills Drive

‘"I mean, everybody played poorly. I don’t know what happened to us tonight."’

‘The 49ers didn’t have many big plays, just modest but decisive gains.’

‘So much for the Miami loss being the low point.’

‘The Bills saw their five-game winning streak in Sunday night games snapped.’

‘Player of the Game: Garcia. Now that’s how the West Coast offense is supposed to be run.’

‘San Francisco controlled the ball for almost 40 minutes in a 35-0 win over Buffalo Sunday night at 3Com Park, and gained a big victory in their quest to take the NFC West title after finishing 6-10 last season.’

‘But there is one area of lacking that is worth talking about now: Leadership. By that, I mean leadership from players, not coaches. The current-day Bills have a few fine leaders– Phil Hansen and Jerry Ostroski– but this doesn’t touch the Buffalo teams of the 90’s. Is that a revelation? Not unless you’ve been watching nothing but curling for the last 10 years. But it is a point worth examining.’

‘Larry Centers got his 750th career reception, but he also was Buffalo’s leading rusher with 14 yards…’.

‘The 49ers kept possession for 39:48 and recorded five takeaways for the second consecutive week.’

‘But let us paraphrase Vince Lombardi. Winning against Buffalo isn’t everything — it’s the only thing that’s barely more than something. If you know what we mean.’

‘Van Pelt couldn’t get his feet set, couldn’t find his rhythm, often lost sight of defensive backs downfield and soon lost the confidence he built in 300-plus-yard passing performances against the Seattle Seahawks and the Miami Dolphins. He was sacked twice, hurried at least 10 times and repeatedly confused.’

‘Thousands of fans — as many as 35,000, judging by the half-empty stadium — were turned away from 3Com Park parking lots because several lots and access roads were blocked or flooded.’

‘2: First downs allowed by the 49ers’ defense in the first 29 1/2 minutes.’

‘Add Buffalo Coach Gregg Williams to the growing list of admirers of quarterback Jeff Garcia.’

‘It appeared as if the 49ers were using the Bills as a warm-up to the Rams. Coaches decided to counter the Bills’ fine receivers, Peerless Price and Eric Moulds, with man coverage and a bevy of blitzes early in the game.’