Two Bills Drive

‘”The bottom line for us offensively is that we have to get better at starting games,” Bledsoe said. “We’re digging holes for ourselves and leaving ourselves with problems at the end of games.”‘

‘The Bills are firmly committed to establishing balance in their offense, and they will continue to try to run the ball. I’m starting to wonder whether they should even bother.’

‘Another competitive effort but better team won.’

‘But if the Bills keep playing like they have through the first three weeks of the NFL season, Buffalo will continue to be a hot ticket on entertainment value alone.’

‘"We knew what he was capable of doing," Reese said of facing Bledsoe, who finished 27-for-41 for 283 yards with two TDs. "We feel fortunate."’

‘The Buffalo Bills managed only 39 rushing yards on 14 carries Sunday, turning them into a one-dimensional team, as Denver had hoped. But with Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe a remaining factor, the Broncos were on edge until the end.’

‘The return occurred with 3:38 left in the first quarter, with the contest having taken on an ugly tone to that point: scoreless, with the two teams combining for 41 penalty yards and 49 offensive yards.’

‘In Sunday’s key fourth-quarter drive against the Bills, Griese completed six of eight attempts for 62 yards and the touchdown pass to Smith.’

‘Anderson rushed for 28 yards on seven carries and the Broncos finished with 163 rushing yards and 342 total yards of offense.’

‘He committed two defensive penalties to keep Denver drives alive, and he had been part of the Bills defense that allowed Brian Griese’s first-and-five touchdown pass to Rod Smith with 2 minutes, 39 seconds remaining to put the game away.’

‘While his statistics weren’t the monster numbers he put up in two overtime games to open the season – a league-leading 734 yards and a 69 percent completion percentage – Bledsoe gave the Denver Broncos defense fits, even with an ineffective running game, and nearly pulled off the upset.’

‘"I do have more touchdowns than Shannon Sharpe right now," McGlockton said.’

‘The Broncos were supposed to whip the Buffalo Bills as game favorites for the first time this season, and that is what they did Sunday. According to the Broncos and the impartial truth, it was not pretty. But in a tense fourth quarter, the Invesco pilgrims, loud and anxious, did not agree. Beauty in football is a scoreboard thing, and for the third time the scoreboard preferred the Broncos.’

‘Bills cornerback Chris Watson was making his first trip to Denver since being traded for a fourth-round draft choice in 2000. Watson had a rough day primarily matching up with Rod Smith most of the game. He was called for two defensive penalties.’

‘Denver’s defense allowed too many big plays, its special teams botched too many of them and its offense did not produce enough. The Broncos knew it, too. When the players walked into the locker room, they were pleased with the victory, but disappointed with their performance.’