Two Bills Drive

‘"You can give the edge to him," Smith said. "He caught two plays when I was on him and made some great catches on them."’

‘It’s hard to keep things interesting in Buffalo, but Bills coach Wade Phillips does his best to spark the masses.’

‘Any chance the Bears had of salvaging some respectability from a disappointing season probably ended when quarterback Jim Miller suffered a torn left Achilles’ tendon with 5:20 left in the first half Sunday.’

‘Against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the defense made a game of it when the offense offered only 3 points the entire day.’

‘Only twice this season have the Bears permitted fewer than the 299 total yards they surrendered against the Bills (276 vs. the Lions and 298 against the Eagles), but it wasn’t good enough to prevent another defeat.’

‘Jim Miller’s season officially ended Sunday.’

‘More than sympathy, it was empathy that moved Shane Matthews to Jim Miller’s side Sunday.’

‘The Bears are paying Thomas Smith big bucks to stop the opponent’s top receiver, something the veteran cornerback failed to do in Sunday’s 20-3 loss to Buffalo.’

‘With Rob Johnson breathing down his neck, Doug Flutie staked another claim to being the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback.’

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‘"The Buffalo Bills organization has supported us. When we were crumbled with grief they were there to pick us up and wrap their arms around us and remember Bob," [Jan] Kalsu McLaughlin said.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ defense has excelled at making offenses one-dimensional this season. Today it faces an opponent that is used to being one-dimensional.’

‘The 350-pound, 32-year-old Washington has rebounded from what was a down year by his standards in 1999. He’s on pace for 109 tackles, his best total since ’97, and an impressive figure given the fact he is spelled by his backup, Williams, roughly 12 to 15 plays a game.’

‘Behind the polyester jumpsuit, sunglasses, sideburns and guitar of maybe the most distinctive fan in Ralph Wilson Stadium during the Buffalo Bills season can be found a 38-year-old Lockport salesman.’

‘Outlook: The Bills desperately need a win today, because the schedule the next month is a bear. . . . Bills, 24-17.’