Archives for December 18, 2005

‘"A lot of fans were screaming, `Don’t go,’ and `Stay,’ and it was tough," Moulds said. "I said before the game that I was going to play hard and let the chips fall where they may. And that’s what I did."’

Kelly Holcomb is back at QB and, not coincidentally, he and Eric Moulds, who is back from a suspension, have connected on a big play, for 27 yards, to help set up a short touchdown run by Willis McGahee. It is no secret that Moulds has been one of Holcomb’s favorite targets, and that J.P. Losman has not looked to him nearly as often. The Bills did what a 4-9 team should do in going for the first down on fourth-and-one deep in Denver territory, and getting it.

‘Penalties and turnovers have plagued the Bills all season, and this night was no different. Buffalo was penalized 12 times for 82 yards. They were also only 4 of 12 on third down conversions.’

‘"When we beat ourselves, we give ourselves no chance," Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb said. "It’s frustrating. We move the ball and then something happens. . . . It’s kind of killing us. We gotta be focused. I think our effort’s there. We played hard but you gotta play smarter."’

‘”We come out because we’re with friends, and we’re going to enjoy this event. But this season is taking on the feel of those 2-14 seasons.”‘

‘Moulds obviously didn’t develop much rust during his short time off. He seemed to be the primary target of quarterback Kelly Holcomb on virtually every pass play. The Bills ran more crossing routes to free Moulds of double coverage and he was able to find soft spots in the Broncos’ secondary all night.’

‘Monday’s paper will include several stories on the Bills as well as the Report Card and the complete statistical package.’

‘”We started out strong and played good football for a spot here and a spot there, but at times we played undisciplined, too,” said Bills second-year coach Mike Mularkey, who has endured weeks of speculation about his job security. “It sounds like a broken record.”‘

‘What the Bills are, what they have been for the better part of a decade, and what they will continue to be for the foreseeable future, is a whole not equal to the sum of its parts. There are playmakers on offense (Moulds, Evans, McGahee) and stars on defense (London Fletcher, Nate Clements and Troy Vincent), and they all add up to a won-loss record, before Saturday, of 38-55 that is only nine wins better than the Arizona Cardinals’ since 2000.’

‘For most of the first half Saturday night at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Buffalo Bills managed to drag the Denver Broncos down to their level of ineptness.’

‘It was sad to see Mularkey take a page from Gregg Williams’ playbook and punt from Denver’s 32-yard line in the second quarter. No guts, but very much in keeping with the disappointing season it has been.’

‘Coach Mike Mularkey and Co. showed why the Bills are 4-10 with plenty of bonehead decisions.’

‘The personal foul on Villarrial was the Bills’ eighth flag for a total of 57 yards and represents the kind of undisciplined play that has Buffalo head coach Mike Mularkey on the hot seat in this cold city. “As far as playing, effort-wise, and focus, I haven’t seen a lack of that yet,” Mularkey said last week. But in this nationally televised game, the Bills – who fell to 4-10 after the 28-17 loss to Denver – were simply men behaving badly’

Broncos top Bills, clinch playoff berth (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Photo Gallery (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Cold warriors (Denver Post)

Broncos provide chills and thrills (Denver Post)

Smith, Wilson lead by big example (Denver Post)

Passing game sets tone at start (Denver Post)

Broncos extras (Denver Post)

Broncos won’t be left out in cold (Boulder Daily Camera)

Broncos are passing this chemistry test (Boulder Daily Camera)

Bills prove to be own worst enemy (Boulder Daily Camera)

Photo gallery (Boulder Daily Camera)

It’s a clinch (Longmont Daily Times Call)

Sluggish Broncos must reorganize before postseason (Longmont Daily Times Call)

Elam reaches 100 points for 13th consecutive season (AP)

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills (DenverBroncos.com)

Smith’s Big Night (DenverBroncos.com)

Photo Gallery (DenverBroncos.com)

‘All the troubles — penalties, failed opportunities and dropped passes — that have plagued Buffalo all season, were apparent against the Broncos.’