Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills’ worst fears about the health of left cornerback Antoine Winfield were realized yesterday when it was determined he’ll need season-ending surgery on his right shoulder to repair torn cartilage.’

‘Coach Wade Phillips said on Monday that Winfield was examined by team doctors who have scheduled surgery for Wednesday.’

‘"To make the play like he did, it was a defining play for us," Phillips said. "It defined our football team. … It’s the grittiness, the toughness, the want-to, those kind of things that I think our team has. He showed that."’

‘As much as they dominated early, the Bills could easily have lost this one … and probably would have early in the season.’

‘I’ve got to believe that Johnson has put all his doubters to rest once and for all.’

‘After Sunday’s 21-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Buffalo finds itself only one game out of first in the division and very much in contention for a playoff spot.’

‘". . . and he decided he was going to step up and be a quarterback. He said he was going to make the plays to help us win the ballgame. And he did."’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ defense looked a little shaky at times Sunday. But when it mattered the most, the unit was as sturdy as ever.’

‘He brought the Bills from behind in the fourth quarter to win, the measure of a successful quarterback in this league. His stage was one of the most hostile venues in football for a visiting team. He made the game-winning play and he sacrificed his body to do it.’

‘Antoine Winfield said after Sunday’s 21-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs that he might be gone for the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.’

‘Play of the Game: He leaps! He flies! He soars over linebackers, breaks the goal line plane with the football and touches the pylon to boot! Rob Johnson’s 12-yard scramble for the winning touchdown 12 minutes into the fourth quarter.’

‘And speaking of faith, how much of it do the Bills now have in their young and often embattled quarterback?’

‘"Elvis Grbac is a tremendous quarterback," free safety Keion Carpenter said after yesterday’s 21-17 playoff-enhancing victory at Arrowhead Stadium. "He was picking us apart at times today, and we knew we had a battle on our hands. To stop him at the end, I can’t explain how great that feels."’

‘When it comes to quarterbacks (and all things), Bum’s advice to Wade has always been simple: do what you think is best.’

‘QB Rob Johnson: He produced as many touchdowns in this game as Doug Flutie did in the last three games combined.’