Two Bills Drive

‘Healthy is not a word used much these days to describe the Bills. Bruised, battered, decimated — yes. Healthy — no.’

‘"We realize we have to play our best game for ourselves and the team," said quarterback Rob Johnson, whose injury du jour is sore ribs. "But we don’t feel we have to force things or create things that aren’t there and end up playing worse."’

‘Buffalo will be the only AFC East team not to play the potent St. Louis Rams.’

‘Bills can win if … Their play mirrors their situation — do-or-die. This is a must win, the Bills are at home and, despite their injuries, they should put forth a huge effort.’

‘Buffalo, somehow, must make do without the NFL’s leading tackler, linebacker Sam Cowart, who injured his ankle against the Tampa Bay Bucs last weekend. Another linebacker, Sam Rogers, is out with a groin injury as is safety Keion Carpenter (ankle) and cornerback Antoine Winfield, who recently had shoulder surgery.’

‘More than 10 current Dolphins and several former Dolphins accuse the team of not telling players about the full extent of their injuries and risking careers by pressuring players to return before they’re ready.’

‘The Dolphins have allowed only nine pass plays of 30 yards or longer this season — the longest a 42-yarder.’

‘Hoping not to slap the kiss of death onto the Dolphins’ doughty mugs, I have to say it. This is their day.’

‘Sure, the Dolphins must overcome Buffalo’s frigid weather and frenzied fans, but they come armed with a running game that cares little about wind chill or a 12th man who lines up in the stands.’

‘The list sounds like something sent to Santa Claus by the children of this frigid region when Dolphins equipment manager Tony Egues tells what comprised the 5,000 extra pounds of gear taken to today’s road game against the Buffalo Bills.’

‘No one on the team had ever beaten the Dolphins while with the Bills.’

‘Kevin Williams will not be in uniform today for the Dolphins. He might not play next week or the week after that. But that’s not the point.’

‘Visiting Buffalo in December used to be the biggest nightmare on the Dolphins’ schedule. For a warm weather team from South Florida, it was like trying to play football in Siberia. Not anymore.’

‘If the playoffs started today, the Dolphins would have a first-round bye because they have a better conference record than the Titans. All of this is no surprise to North Andover’s Rob Konrad, who has seen the evolution of the Dolphins from his position as starting fullback.’

‘The Buffalo Bills didn’t just lose a game last Sunday. They may have lost all hope of making a serious playoff run.’