Two Bills Drive

‘He might have been its best player Sunday in the Bills’ 24-17 victory over the Detroit Lions, and fans leaving The Ralph couldn’t help but think this defense – believe it or not – just might be coming of age.’

‘"There’s a little disappointment, but I knew eventually that it would come to an end," he said. "I think I could have very easily had a catch or two today. It was just one of those days where the ball didn’t bounce my way. I think I had two come my way and one was a penalty that would have come to me. But on all three of those opportunities, I struck out."’

‘They may not admit it, but the Bills marked next week’s game against New England on the calendar the day the schedule was released.’

‘"I thought we had something there," Mornhinweg said. "But it’s simple – we didn’t get it done. We were stopped twice on fourth downs. Good football teams make those. The effort level was huge, but we had opportunities and didn’t execute. We didn’t make it happen."’

‘"That’s five straight weeks we’ve been within one drive of winning the game," said the rookie, whose team is 2-3 during that stretch. "So I’m encouraged we keep putting ourselves in that position. Nobody expected us to be competing like this. The fact that we keep coming up short, though, is not any fun."’

‘The Lions needed 10 yards, and gained just 9 1/2. Any way you cut it, that’s coming up short.’

‘"I didn’t really see what happened, but I talked to a few of the guys about what happened," he said. "I think it was more, they just made a great play on defense."’

‘"We had an opportunity again and it didn’t happen. The defense gave up a quick score before halftime, but then really kept us in it in the second half. Then we got stopped twice on fourth down. Good football teams make those first downs."’

‘"I was aggressive a couple of times and they called pass interference penalties on me," Lyght said. "It caused me to not be as aggressive as I would’ve liked. We were trying to be aggressive, but this league is becoming an offensive league and it’s difficult to play defense these days. You can only hit the quarterback in the upper body; you can’t him in the knees, you can’t hit him in the head. With the receivers, you can only jam them so long and you have to stay off of them."’

‘The Lions also blew two fourth-down situations that could’ve turned the momentum of the game. When the team needed the offense the most, it disappeared.’

‘In fact, more than the dynamic Drew Bledsoe-led offense, it has been the defense that has keyed a three-game winning streak, officially thrusting the Bills into the playoff picture.’

‘With the pesky Lions out of the way, the Bledsoe Bowl is finally here, and let the hype begin.’

‘Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg: “You can take your hat off to Drew Bledsoe, he does things that a veteran quarterback does.”‘

‘Centers, whose 785 receptions are the most ever by a running back, is focusing on another streak: Three straight wins. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been on a team that won that many in row,” said the 13-year NFL veteran. “I’m serious.”‘

‘They’ve gone from pretenders to contenders. They are good enough to dream.’