Two Bills Drive

‘"We lacked the consistency we’d really like to have, but you have to recognize Buffalo (1-7) has a much better team than their record indicates," said the coach. "We’ve had games like this where we’ve had lapses and mistakes and lost. It’s good to get one."’

‘Battling an All-Pro wide receiver mano-a-mano has always been a welcome challenge for Patriots cornerback Ty Law. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds, a two-time All-Pro, has resided in the top strata of the NFL’s pass catchers since breaking into the league in 1996. Decision: Law.’

‘Shake the hand of the big man – Antowain Smith.’

‘For those interested in how the upstart quarterback came back to earth after impressively leading the Pats to a 4-2 record in relief of the injured Drew Bledsoe, Brady did not make excuses for a performance during which he was sacked seven times and fumbled twice.’

‘"We didn’t help him out," said receiver Eric Moulds, referring in part to the Bills’ continued propensity for penalties, especially in the red zone. "I told the guys that we have to help him out in some way. But we keep going backwards, and I don’t know what it is. We don’t have any identity as a team right now. And we haven’t given Rob an opportunity to look over the defense the way he has to if we’re going to have a chance."’

‘The wind was a huge factor, and kicking the ball to the north end zone was hazardous, as Buffalo punter Brian Moorman (kicks of 12 and 20 yards) will attest. Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri, who came into the game having made 13-of-14 field goals, missed twice (from 43 and 45 yards) into the wind.’

‘Playing against a team that is just 1-7 on the season, the Pats did not make it easy on themselves. Their turnovers included two (one interception, one huge fumble late in the game) by quarterback Tom Brady. The seven penalties against the Pats cost them 75 yards. The injury-riddled offensive line yielded seven sacks. Adam Vinatieri missed field-goal attempts from 43 and 45 yards, one wide right, the other wide left. "Certainly, it was a game that we had mistakes," acknowledged Pats coach Bill Belichick.’

‘A one-time AFC powerhouse, the Bills have slowly slipped into a football world western New Yorkers aren’t very familiar with. The Bills basically don’t matter this year.’

‘The Pats had five sacks, giving them 14 in their last two games.’

‘Even though they weren’t all that good, they were good enough.’

‘Smith enjoyed his day, no doubt about that. Not surprisingly, there were a lot of comments back and forth with some of his old friends during the course of the afternoon. "Yeah, they were saying, ‘Not in here today . . . Don’t run that stuff over here,’ " Smith related. "Jay Foreman (linebacker) and Pat Williams (defensive line) were doing most of the talking." Did Smith talk back? "Of course," he said. "I can’t let them think they’ve scared me. I just told them, ‘I’ll be back the next play all game long.’"’

‘When an NFL team allows seven sacks in a game, it normally means the offensive line had a bad day. It happened yesterday to the Patriots and, while no one was happy about it, no one was critical, either.’

‘"I just kind of stayed away from all the hype," he said. "I didn’t get caught up in the interviews back and forth and what the players have been saying in Buffalo. I didn’t want to try to do too much. When you go out there and you try to do too much, you find yourself getting into trouble."’

‘In winning five of their past seven games after an 0-2 start, the Patriots have played some beautiful games, replete with rousing end-around plays, double passes and Tom Brady touchdowns. This, however, was not one of them.’

‘Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said Johnson would be checked when the team returns to Buffalo, either Sunday night or Monday.’