Two Bills Drive

“When you don’t score touchdowns in this league, it’s pretty hard to win,” said Bills coach Gregg Williams. “We’ve got to get answers. We’ve got to get touchdowns.”‘

On the road and playing the No. 1 defense in the league isn’t exactly the ideal way to open the second half of the season, especially when your team has dropped its last two road games by a combined 68-8, and has failed to score an offensive touchdown in its last three contests away from Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Bills have played a total of seven games on November 9th since 1960. Their record on this date stands at 3-4. Four of the seven games have been played at home, two of which resulted in Buffalo victories including Marv Levy’s first game as the Bills head coach. The recaps of these November 9th games are below.

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.’