Two Bills Drive

Since bye weeks were introduced in 1990, the Bills are 10-4 in games following the open date. Only Minnesota (12-3), Philadelphia (11-3) and Dallas (11-3) have more post-bye week wins than the Bills. The Cowboys had their bye in week three of this season. Both the Bills and Cowboys rank among the league’s top 5 in terms of post bye week performances.

‘”It’s probably the best defensive line we’ve faced so far this year,” said center Trey Teague, “and La’Roi Glover is probably the best pass-rushing defensive tackle we’ve played against.”‘

‘If the Bills want to make the playoffs, they must beat the Cowboys. On paper, they have more talent than Dallas. It’s not about paper. Critics are tough on paper. Athletes prove it on the field, on Sundays. If the Bills are so talented, if they truly have character in their locker room, they have to show it today.’

‘If there is another humiliating loss, don’t expect Gregg Williams to hand in his key to the executive washroom. But while the team is treading water, Tom Donahoe can make use of his time by pondering what coach he wants to hire in January to straighten out the mess.’

‘No team has a more difficult second-half schedule than the Bills, whose next eight opponents have a combined winning percentage of .615 (40-25). They will have to overcome the inconsistency that has plagued them this season.’

‘The second half of Bills’ season gets off to bad start as Cowboys continue winning ways, 20-16.’

‘Bledsoe usually keys on the strong safety when deciding whether to audible to a run or pass. Bledsoe will have to know Williams’ whereabouts at all times.’

‘”I don’t know,” he said. “One day my body feels good and one day my body feels bad.”‘

‘It’s a rare composer who will write a piece that requires an orchestra to be accompanied by footage of the Buffalo Bills.’

‘When asked at the NFL owners meetings last week if his Bills are capable of making the playoffs, owner Ralph Wilson did not give a ringing vote of confidence. “I don’t know. They’ll have to show me,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a lot of good players and I want to see what they do in the second half.”‘

‘”I’m not surprised at all,” says Buffalo fullback Sam Gash, who played for Parcells in New England and is hoping he and his teammates can get the best of his former coach when the Bills visit Texas Stadium this afternoon. “He’s done this every place he’s coached. It’s no coincidence. The only surprise might be that he has turned it around there as fast as he has.”‘

‘I give them a 25-75 chance for the AFC’s second wild-card berth.’

‘What was your reaction when you heard you were coming back to the Bills after a three-year hiatus?

“It threw me completely off. It was one of those things where everything fell into place. We basically moved here as soon as they signed me. This is home now, and it really couldn’t get any better. I mean, this is my favorite place to play. I’ve played in Baltimore and New England but this, with the fan following the team has, blows away every other place.”‘

‘The reality is, Buffalo probably needs to go 6-2 down the stretch to make the playoffs … because 9-7 probably won’t get it done. And a division title is a particular longshot because, after Monday night’s dramatic win at Denver, the Patriots are 7-2 and despite losing to the Bills in the opener, have a 2 1/2 -game lead over Buffalo.’

‘”I feel that we are a somewhat intimidating secondary,” Williams said. “I think some of the wide receivers are all talk until they see our cornerbacks are very, very good, and me and [Darren] Woodson are going to lay a punishing blow.”‘