Two Bills Drive

‘"One play, and it’s the difference in the game. We had two guys covering Moss. Obviously, we didn’t have him covered." – Buffalo coach Wade Phillips.’

‘We’re all for making history, but things almost got a little out of hand after Gary Anderson’s 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter made him the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. The referee stopped the game, Anderson’s sons ran onto the field for pictures, there were handshakes and hugs all around — and there was still 1:04 to play. How about keeping your eyes on the big picture and then celebrating?’

‘The young quarterback made his worst decision of the season. Interceptions were dropped. The visitors dominated possession of the ball and third-down conversions. There was a game-clock mess. A major NFL career record was broken. And, at the end of the blizzard of sloppiness, weirdness and history, there was another fourth-quarter comeback with a spectacular scoring play. When sanity was finally was restored at the Metrodome, the resilient Vikings stood as the NFL’s only unbeaten team after a 31-27 victory over the Buffalo Bills in front 64,116.’

‘With four minutes remaining Sunday and the Vikings trailing the Buffalo Bills 27-21, right tackle Korey Stringer bent over in the team’s huddle, looked at Moss and said, "Somebody has to make a play." Moss accepted the challenge, adding, "Y’all pass protect; I’m going to score this touchdown." The huddle broke, and Moss headed to the left side of the field. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper took the snap and rolled right. Cornerbacks Daryl Porter and Ken Irvin froze, and Moss broke toward the end zone. As he neared the end line, Moss hauled in the 39-yard pass and managed to keep his feet in bounds, Cris Carter style, giving the Vikings a 28-27 lead.’

‘On a day when the Bills’ ball-control offense chained Daunte Culpepper and his gang of playmakers to the bench for three quarters, their defense could have been jailed for allowing two fourth-quarter touchdown passes that let the Vikings escape with a 31-27 victory at the Metrodome.’

‘Turning point: Vikings rookie punt returner Troy Walters’ 28-yard return to the Bills’ 34-yard line with 3:54 to go. Three plays later, quarterback Daunte Culpepper hit Randy Moss in the back of the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown. It gave the Vikings a 28-27 lead with 3:42 remaining in the game.’

‘Daunte Culpepper used to let bad things gnaw at him. If he’d throw an interception or fumble the ball, or just mess up on a play, it’d stick to his psyche like a barnacle. But that was long ago. Nothing bothers him now. "In high school, I used to get down on myself and get mad," Culpepper said. "Then it would pile up. One problem would turn into another problem." So, way back in high school in Ocala, Fla., he realized it was a whole lot easier if he would just put the bad stuff behind him. Quickly. Very quickly. That’s what he did Sunday.’

‘Using a mixture of short passes by quarterback Doug Flutie and the running of Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris, the Bills converted 10 of 17 third-down situations, a season high allowed by the Vikings.’

‘Orlando Thomas stomped out any chance of a Doug Flutie-led comeback when he recovered a Peerless Price fumble in Buffalo territory to set up Gary Anderson’s record-setting field goal. Trailing 28-27 with less than three minutes to play and facing third-and-11 from his own 19, Flutie hit Price for 17 yards and a first down. But Vikings cornerback Robert Tate jarred the ball loose, and Thomas pounced on it at the 34. Afterward, Price, who finished with three receptions for 42 yards, wasn’t in chatty mood. "He just made a good play, and I fumbled the ball trying to make a play myself, trying to spin out of a tackle," said Price. "I don’t want to talk no more."’

‘"Dad taught me everything I know about kicking and everything I know about life," said Gary Anderson, his voice cracking and his eyes welling with tears. "He would tell me that I could continue kicking until I was 40. . . . But I don’t think even Dad thought I’d break George Blanda’s record. . . . He’d be surprised."’

‘"We love the fact that we are 7-0, we are very excited about it," head coach Dennis Green said. "But we do understand that next week we have another very good game. … But I think that our guys are up for the task and have tremendous character."’

‘Coming into Sunday’s game, Buffalo had made a name for itself thanks to a stingy defense. Undaunted, the Vikings rolled up 348 total yards and 31 points.’

‘Anderson broke the record in front of his mother and two sons, who came to the Metrodome in hopes of seeing him make history. The kick also came against the Bills, who drafted Anderson in 1982, only to cut him during training camp.’

‘For three-plus quarters, the Bills played the part of the better team. The Vikings appeared unable to solve Buffalo’s defense and incapable of corralling Bills QB Doug Flutie and the Bills offense. With 14 minutes left in the game, Buffalo appeared in control with a 24-13 advantage. In other words, the Vikings had the Bills right where they wanted ’em.’

‘"I wish every kid in America could experience what I’ve felt the last few years," said Anderson, a native of South Africa. "I don’t think any of the others rank with this one, just the way that it happened. It’s the culmination of a lot of guys who have helped me score 2,004 points. I’m the beneficiary of a lot of guys."’