Two Bills Drive

‘They lost in Oakland on a field goal in the closing seconds, and let Buffalo tie it with a field goal in the final minute of regulation Sunday, sending it to overtime. The Bengals got the ball first and Jon Kitna severely underthrew uncovered Kelley Washington on third-and-2, forcing a punt that set up the Bills’ winning touchdown. Just like that, another one got away.’

”’He’s just got to play with more confidence and that way everything will iron out,” said Williams. ”He’s made enough plays in his career at all levels of ball that he’ll be fine at this level, too.”’

‘"I think I’m going to have that juice regardless," Cowart said before coach Herman Edwards’ Jets ended their bye week of practices Friday. "Herm has challenged us as a defense and as linebackers. Individual players have to play better. We’re going to have to step up and accept the challenge."’

The East is beastly. The preseason indications that the AFC East was going to be a tough division was somewhat diminished, but now reaffirmed. The Dolphins beating the Giants in NY; New England recouping like they do; even the Bills, although it wasn’t glamourous, got back on the winning track.

‘Cincinnati’s defense entered the game ranked a miserable 25th in the NFL against the run, but No. 8 against the pass. Henry’s ribs had healed enough to play, giving Buffalo the quality running back it lacked a week earlier against Philadelphia. So, of course, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride called for 18 passes in the first half, as opposed to 10 runs.’

‘But you could do worse than speculating that the Buffalo Bills’ head coach’s future was on the line late Sunday afternoon at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘”We’re not winning games that we should win or that we could win,” said defensive back Artell Hawkins. “When does that all change? I don’t know. But we are playing harder. We are right there, and every team that we play knows that. Now, the onus is on us to finish it, to get the Ws that are sitting right there in front of us.”‘

‘In short, about the only good thing the Bills did on Sunday was win. And that’s enough … for now. But losing in virtually everything but on the scoreboard isn’t a recipe for a continued victories and, hopefully, the Bills realize it.’

‘When it was revealed that Buffalo’s undefeated heavyweight boxer Baby Joe Mesi – who has gotten a lot of criticism for the lack of quality opposition on his resume -would lead the Bills out on the field, the recurrent line was, “The Bengals must be terrible … Baby Joe only shows up for pushovers.”‘

‘Led largely by the play of defensive tackle Pat Williams, the Bills run defense surrendered just 67 yards on 27 carries (2.5 average) and stopped the Bengals for no gain or negative yardage on one of every three rushes (9 of 27 attempts).’

‘At the end of the season, one of the weekly award winners will be named the “Coach of the Year” and will receive an additional $1,000 donation to his program from NFL Charities. The 2003 "Coach of the Year" will be honored at the Bills-NY Jets game on December 7 and at the final luncheon meeting of the Monday Quarterback Club on December 8.’

‘Really, it came down to these two throws on third down: With 3:31 left in the game and trailing 16-13, Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe is facing a do-or-die third-and-11 from his own 40. At the last possible instant in the face of a strong rush, Bledsoe drills a 14-yard line shot to wide receiver Bobby Shaw on the sideline. Rookie cornerback Terrell Roberts, in the game because of Jeff Burris’ neck injury, has decent coverage, but what are you going to do? Then, on the third play of the overtime, Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna has rookie receiver Kelley Washington over the middle on third-and-two and underthrows him. The Bengals have to punt and never get the ball back.’

‘"This was a big emotional game for us," said Spikes, who bested his former teammates. "We got the win, that’s the only thing that matters."’

‘"I knew I had to be in the game for us to win the game," he said. "I had to suck it up. I just wanted to do anything in my power to give the team a boost."’

‘"It’s really tough," cornerback Artrell Hawkins said. "We don’t get to put W’s in the moral victory column. We don’t want to. . . . Once again, we played a game that we were in and we didn’t finish like we should have. We’re going to get to that."’