Two Bills Drive

‘”This is obviously good to see our hard work pay off,” he said. “It’s nice to see the defensive pride be what it is and play with the effort and contact that you have to play to be a big-time defense. . . . Our defense doesn’t hesitate whenever they have to take over on the field to go out and play and turn the offense away. That’s their mentality right now and it’s fun to go out and watch them play.”‘

‘If the Bills do finish 9-7, it is mathematically possible for them to finish ahead of the other four contenders – Tennessee, Miami, Denver and Cincinnati – for one of the two wild-card berths.’

‘”I never lost confidence in myself,” Sullivan said. “I still prepared every week and tried to hone in on my skills. I’m a mentally tough person and whatever was thrown my way I felt I could overcome it.”‘

‘This season boils down to the Bills’ Texas mis-step, that 10-6 loss to Dallas and the 12-10 loss to Houston.’

‘They believe they can sweep the last three games, get some help from other teams, and squeeze into the postseason party. More power to them.’

‘Buffalo is allowing only 15.4 points per game, second only to Tampa Bay’s 15.2 points per game. That’s impressive and proof that the Bills have a talented defensive unit in terms of stopping opponents and forcing punts. But it has not been an opportunistic defense and that’s a huge part of the game.’

”’He has significant swelling in his ankle and is having difficulty walking,” Fisher said. ”You guys know Steve like I like I know Steve. I am going to say he is doubtful. He is probably not going to practice (this week). If he can play, he’ll play. … But it’s way too early in the week to be able to determine how he is going to be.”’

‘The Titans (9-4) can clinch a playoff spot Sunday with a victory over the Buffalo Bills, as well as a Cincinnati loss to San Francisco and a Miami loss to Philadelphia. As a Wild Card team the Titans would have to travel in the first round, most likely to Baltimore.’

‘”On my way in this morning, I stopped to get a cup of coffee really early and when I was walking to my car, an individual said, ‘Hang in there. We’re still behind you,'” Fisher said. “When I got in the car, I thought, ‘We’re not 4-9, we’re 9-4.’ … We were 8-5 last year and were tired at this point last year, just scratching and clawing to get back to 8-5. We’re 9-4, and we’re going to be OK.”‘

‘DEFENSIVE LINE – F

NT Jason Ferguson had a sack, but said he played his “worst” game. DT Chester McGlockton had two penalties on one play. Tackling was atrocious across the board.’

‘The turning point came when the Jets failed to score after cornerback Ray Mickens’ interception on the second play of the third quarter, when the Bills led 7-3.’

‘”It got to a point where the Jets wanted nothing more to do with you,” Wilson said to Henry.’

‘The joke going around Ralph Wilson Stadium is that someone must have kidnapped Kevin Gilbride on his way to the game. The embattled Buffalo offensive coordinator has been on the hot seat all year for his suspect play-calling that put too much emphasis on the passing game, but he wisely stuck to the ground against a weak New York rush defense and the results were dazzling.’

‘CB Terrence McGee is making a strong case to become a starter in 2004 if the Bills are unable to re-sign Antoine Winfield. McGee made the first interception of his career against the Jets and has been a solid cover man in nickel and dime packages.’

‘They can talk all they want about circumstances, and execution, but the bottom line, IF Travis Henry had carried the ball more, earlier this season, the Bills would be in the middle of the playoff race.’