Two Bills Drive

‘For now, at least, defenses have to be concerned with Pathon. When Sunday’s game began, Buffalo was focused on stopping Harrison, who didn’t catch a pass until 2:27 remained in the first quarter. By then, Pathon had caught four.’

‘"I’ve never heard or felt anything like that," said Colts cornerback Jeff Burris. "There was so much emotion from the teams, from the fans. In eight years (four as a visiting player and four with the Colts), I’ve never heard it so loud in here. The noise was just piercing. It was as if everybody wanted to show their pride as a country. Everybody, from the players to the fans, they wanted to show what we’re about."’

‘Three plays after Clements’ interception, linebacker Kenyatta Wright covered a fumble by tight end Ken Dilger at the Colts 35. Three plays later, Bills punter Brian Moorman trotted onto the field. The Colts defense held — two Rob Johnson incompletions, a 1-yard toss to running back Travis Henry — and the lead remained 7-0. "It was really big for us to come out and not even let them have a field goal," said strong safety Chad Cota. Given a reprieve, the Colts’ offense responded by scoring touchdowns on its next six possessions.’

‘Nobody wore more red, white and blue than four friendly fans sitting in front of their Dodge minivan with New York license plates. They were located at the edge of the South handicapped lot near the main entrance between gates 2 and 3. They were members of the Buffalo Bills Booster Club.’

‘Four mistakes. Four touchdowns.’

‘"We talked a good game," veteran wide receiver Eric Moulds said. "But we didn’t play it."’

‘I’m starting to wonder what "46" defense stands for. Does the 46 represent the target score the Bills are trying to keep their opponents under?’

‘"I can’t get used to this, losing and giving up all these yards and points on defense," said cornerback Antoine Winfield. "I hope in the next few weeks we’ll start making things happen."’

‘COACHING – Team was ill-prepared for this big road test against a strong opponent. Bills’ record-tying 19 penalties was shameful for a coaching staff that allegedly preaches discipline. F’

‘While almost nothing went wrong for the Colts, who scored touchdowns on five straight possessions during one stretch, the Bills did little right. They tied a team record with 19 penalties, and their leading rusher was quarterback Rob Johnson with 63 yards. Meanwhile, the Colts were virtually unstoppable.’

‘The Bills were their own worst enemy, committing 18 penalties for 128 yards.’

Johnson (24/37, 257 yds, 1 TD,1 INT)

Johnson is Bills’s leading runner (5 for 63), Larsen is only sacker (one additional sack negated by a penality), Inteceptions by Winfield and Clements)

‘Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, like Williams a former Titans assistant, is quick to agree. He says the key to slowing down the Colts’ signal caller is to keep the pressure on all afternoon. "With a guy like Peyton Manning as smart as he is, you don’t want to go out there and tip your hand," Gray said. "The guy studies more than a coach. But I think the worst thing to do is be afraid to go rush Peyton Manning. "You cannot let a guy like Peyton sit back and throw the ball on rhythm. He will eat you alive. The biggest thing you want to do is make sure Peyton is not in rhythm in the backfield."’

‘That’s why the talk all week has been on the Bills’ offense being more productive than it was in the opener. Rookie RB Travis Henry has the potential to give the Bills a legitimate rushing attack, but his effectiveness will be determined by their ability to stay in the game. If the game is close and Henry is able to do some damage, it will be a big help to quarterback Rob Johnson, who needs to bounce back from his sub-par performance against the Saints.’

‘The average age of the 53 players on the Bills’ roster is 25.4 years, tied with Dallas for No. 2 behind Arizona, the league’s youngest team with an average age of 25.2 years. Just how composed the Bills are able to remain in one of the louder facilities in the league will be a key in determining their success.’