Two Bills Drive

‘"Our defense dominated the first half," Bills Coach Wade Phillips said Sunday after Tampa Bay`s 31-17 victory at Raymond James Stadium. "We were controlling the game until those injuries hit us. Those injuries killed us. Those were our best three players."’

‘On Sunday, the Bucs did what they needed to do against the Buffalo Bills. They didn’t turn the ball over once. They sacked Buffalo quarterback Rob Johnson six times.’

‘"They do have the best pass rush in the league," [Rob] Johnson said.’

‘But if you have a championship-caliber team – which Dungy and Sapp believe the Bucs have – you don’t worry about hurting people’s feelings.’

‘"We knew it would be tough sledding in there but they lost a couple of players throughout the course of the game. That helped us a little bit."’

‘Buffalo linebacker Sam Cowart could be sidelined for a month after spraining his ankle in the Bills’ 31-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.’

‘Warrick Dunn became the first runner to gain 100 yards on the Bills (7-5) this season, rushing for 106 and two touchdowns, while Karl Williams scored on a 73-yard punt return for the Bucs (7-5).’

‘The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Bills (7-5),

who outgained the Bucs, 433-181, but allowed a 100-yard rusher

for the first time this season.’

‘If Rob Johnson thought he saw a pass rush on the road last Sunday at Kansas City, wait until this afternoon.’

‘It probably needs to be dominating, because the Bills’ offense is likely to struggle against a Tampa Bay defense that has been the best in the NFC over the past two years.’

‘When in doubt, trust the Bills’ linebackers. It’s an old tradition.’

‘The undrafted free agent nobody wanted to waste a draft pick on is now tied for the AFC lead in interceptions with five. He has picked off three passes the past two games, including one to ice last week’s victory in Kansas City.’

‘Bucs 16, Bills 10.’

‘Now in his 17th year as an NFL assistant and third season as the Bills secretary of defense, Cottrell has done a masterful job of putting players in position to make plays.’

‘Miami, Buffalo, Indianapolis and the New York Jets could all be tied by late this afternoon with 8-4 records should the Bills beat the Buccaneers, the Jets beat Chicago and Indianapolis beats Miami.’