Two Bills Drive

‘Minnesota Vikings pass-rushing specialist Bryce Paup is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a fracture in his right leg.’

‘For the sixth straight week in which they’ve played this season, Bills games have been the most-watched program in Buffalo.’

‘The normally accessible Flutie did not make himself available to the media Monday as he was locked away in a room at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse studying film. There are a number of ways to look at why Flutie wasn’t around to talk about getting his first start since Week 15 of last season. Is there so much concern about facing the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings on Sunday that more film work is needed, or is he so motivated to succeed that he couldn’t break away for even a few minutes? Or could it be that Flutie doesn’t want to come off as being insensitive about starting at the expense of a fallen teammate? Whatever the case, the job is his. How he handles it will have a huge bearing on how the rest of the Bills’ season plays out.’

‘Week after week, the offensive linemen have botched their assignments, leaving Johnson exposed to unimpeded rushers. What Brown seemed to be saying was, we’re tired of it. Give us some blocking schemes that don’t get abused. Last week, Eric Moulds asked for Joe Pendry’s offense to be simplified. It was a clear sign of discontent simmering within the offense. Brown’s outburst, which embarrassed the coaching staff in front of 72,000 fans and a TV audience, was a more dramatic cry for help. Phillips can laugh it off all he wants. I doubt Johnson is laughing.’

‘After being held to two sacks in the previous three games, the Bills recorded four in the 27-24 overtime win over San Diego on Sunday. The Bills moved Marcellus Wiley from right defensive end to the left side and put rookie Erik Flowers at right end in the nickel defense. The result was a career-high two sacks for Wiley, while Flowers recorded his first as a pro.’

‘"Offensively, with Doug Flutie, I think they are going to recommit themselves to running the football," Vikings coach Dennis Green said. "I think Doug likes the running game with the play-action pass. We’re going to have to work extremely hard in that area this week."’

‘Should the Bills (3-3) upset the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (6-0) on the road Sunday, then get past the New York Jets (5-1) at home the following week, and the offense is humming under Flutie, Phillips will be faced with a decision to make, just like he was in 1998. The big difference is that Johnson is much more entrenched as the starter and Flutie could be a salary cap cut after this season anyway.’

‘I also think a one-two punch of Johnson and Flutie could be effective, but we’re in the minority. Perhaps Phillips would be more inclined to try it if Flutie does well in his upcoming emergency starting role and Johnson returns 100 percent healthy.’

‘In some corners, the former Argos star has a reputation as a "me-first" guy, a handle that quickly will be forgotten if he leads his team to a couple of wins, of course. In his defence, he has been dealt some rotten hands by the NFL, both by the Bills and previously the Chicago Bears. Which leads us to the crisis in waiting. What happens if Flutie leads the Bills to victories over the Vikings this Sunday, the New York Jets the following weekend and the New England Patriots after that?’

‘"I think I learned my lesson early on. And it’s not a factor of Rob gets hurt, it’s a factor of it’s NFL football and the opportunity will probably be there," Flutie said. "I guess we’ll just take it one game at a time. I just have to prepare and get ready."’

‘And while the Chargers hand it to the Bills (3-3) for their fortitude, they also admit this one didn’t need to slip away. Not on a day in which Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham each had 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. A day in which the Chargers collected 303 total yards against the NFL’s No. 2 defense – first to do so in eight straight contests. A day in which the Chargers were ahead, 24-14, with about 14 minutes to play. "Definitely, we were in the driver’s seat," said Rodney Harrison, who tied Seau with a game-high 12 tackles, and added a sack and interception. "We had the momentum, we felt everything was going positive, we had a 10-point lead. It just seemed like things started to fall apart. It’s always something – one thing here, one thing there. It seems like that way all the time."’

‘It was a third-quarter play designed for the right side. Instead, it went terribly wrong for the Chargers. Faced with a third-and-1 on the Bills 33, the Chargers were primed to put a stake in Buffalo’s wings. Ahead 24-14, moving the chains here would seemingly pad a cushion the inconsistent Bills might have a tough time overcoming. But Jermaine Fazande got tossed for a 2-yard loss, coach Mike Riley elected to punt, and before someone could say "Doug Flutie," Buffalo shuffled off with a victory.’

‘It was an obvious question, after Mike Riley elected to punt on Buffalo’s 35- and 36-yard lines in Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Bills. Hey John Carney, you’re reliable right leg OK? "Yeah," he said. So despite Carney owning the team record with two career-best 54-yard field goals, the Chargers’ coach elected to punt on both occasions inside the Buffalo 37. On one, Darren Bennett pinned the Bills in at their 1 – they still scored. On the other – with 2:35 to play; he kicked it into the end zone – they still scored, to tie the game and send it into overtime. On Saturday, the winds were swirling so bad at Ralph Wilson Stadium one wouldn’t consider field goals of 52 and 53 yards. Sunday? "We were very, very fortunate wind-wise," said Carney, the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history. "I had a 53-yarder in pregame." But Riley – afraid of a miss and losing the field-position battle – didn’t give Carney a chance. "I was ready to go," Carney said. "But at the same time I understand percentages of long-range field goals. Coach Riley said ‘punt’ right away; he didn’t want to give up field position in case something happened." Said Riley: "We did put them down to the 1-yard line, which I thought was great. The second time, we didn’t."’

‘"This was a big win," [Steve Christie said], "and we needed it." But will there be enough for a playoff berth?’

‘The Bills’ second touchdown was bizarre as running back Jonathan Linton fumbled into the end zone when hit by former Buffalo safety Mike Dumas with center Jerry Ostroski recovering. "That’s the first touchdown I’ve scored since I was in sixth grade and caught a long bomb in the backyard," Ostroski said. "All my life I was doomed to be an offensive lineman and not touch the football unless I hiked it. So, scoring today, was pretty cool."’