Two Bills Drive

‘Though Buffalo came out hot, racking up 164 total yards on its first three offensive possessions, the Colts kept the Bills out of the end zone. In the process, they prevented the Bills from building a more sizable lead than 9-0, and made life that much more bearable for the offense, which recovered from a sloppy start to post an 18-16 victory on Sunday.’

‘All week long the Buffalo Bills talked about the importance of putting pressure on the passer. Come Sunday, most of it was on theirs. For the second consecutive game, the Indianapolis defensive front came hard and often. It sacked Rob Johnson four times and helped the Colts to an 18-16 victory. Often as not, it was rookie linebacker Marcus Washington chasing Johnson around Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"Things could happen. Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve," Moulds said with a grimace. "We can’t live like that. We’ve got to go down there and score points."’

‘Buffalo fans are among the most avid tailgaters in the NFL, and have been for more than two decades. A parking lot adjacent to Ralph Wilson Stadium starts filling up with motor homes on Friday night and is packed hours before the game starts.’

‘The Bills thoroughly dominated the statistics. They outrushed the Colts 170-81, out-passed them 215-184 and held the ball nearly 12 minutes longer. Buffalo also drove 80 yards for what could’ve been the game-winning touchdown with 1:08 left. In the face of all that, the Colts simply found a way, coming up with just enough plays at critical times to beat another quality team on the road.’

‘Buffalo wracked up 385 offensive yards (the Colts had 265), quarterback Rob Johnson outthrew Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (246 yards to 187) and the Bills outran the Colts, 170-81, but Manning and the Colts prevailed, 18-16, on a last-play field goal by Mike Vanderjagt.’

‘"It was a big finish, but we expected to do that," said running back Edgerrin James. "The problem (for Buffalo) is that they gave us too much time. If there were only 14 or 15 seconds, OK, but what did we have a minute something (actually 63 seconds), and that’s plenty of time for us. "Besides, we got the coolest kicker in the NFL by far. He’s cocky and he knows what he’s doing. He’s one of those kickers who knows exactly what he’s going to do. That’s a chip shot for him."’

‘Peyton Manning showed the Buffalo Bills offense how to get it done in the red zone and in the clutch.’

‘Peyton Manning showed his poise, Edgerrin James made the big plays and Mike Vanderjagt boomed the winning field goal.’

‘The fans will still not boo him Sunday during introductions. He meant too much to them for too long for them to do that. With the more recent departure of stalwarts Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed from the Bills’ Super Bowl years, familiar faces are tougher to come by. "We made (game days at Rich Stadium) special," Bennett said. "When I played there we had some special guys, but I thought we did a great job making it a special place." But now, the Bills and Colts are fighting the New York Jets for supremacy in the AFC East. It is still difficult to win at Rich Stadium, but that is what Bennett is about this weekend. Forget sentimentality. "It’s another game. There’s always going to be great memories, but right now I’m just still trying to get better and help this team win football games," he said. "That’s about all it means now."’

‘The third-year veteran from North Carolina will try to add a spark to a Bills offense that has been average through three games. The Bills’ attack ranks 12th in yards and 16th in points. It has a fair fight on its hands today, because average is an apt description of the Indy defense. The Colts finished 15th on defense last year. They’re 15th this year.’

‘"Intense . . . loyal . . . high attention to detail," Bills center Jerry Ostroski said when asked to describe [Carl] Mauck. "He wants to win. I never dread hearing what he has to say, even when we lose. A lot of times he’s feeling the loss just as bad as we are, because he’s been on our side, and he knows what it’s like."’

‘No matter what the oddsmakers say, a Bills win would be a mild upset. . . . . But the timing, after a Colts Monday night game, might just be right for Buffalo. Bills, 27-26.’

‘"The style of college football changed so much while he [Peyton Manning] was there [at Tennessee] that his sophomore season was better than his junior or senior seasons," said Archie [Manning]. "Part of it was the offensive line was better, but the SEC, the toughest conference to begin with, was stronger and there were great defensive coaches like Bill Oliver at Alabama and later Auburn, Bob Stoops of Florida (now head coach at Oklahoma) and Woody Widenhofer (the ex-Steeler defensive coordinator) at Vanderbilt.’

‘"As a quarterback, I know any time you face Buffalo it’s tough to move the ball," Manning said. "So when you have it, you really want to take advantage of the possession because you won’t get many. "I think Buffalo has the best defense in the league … and I’m not just saying that, I thought that last year."’