Two Bills Drive

‘As surely as two losses in three weeks to the Bills had punctuated the Dolphins’ decline under Shula, the end for Johnson started with last November’s 23-3 loss in Orchard Park. Miami lost five of its last seven and got butchered in the playoffs, triggering the retirements of Johnson and Marino.’

‘But they finally came to grips with that grim reality Monday when coach Wade Phillips basically told them they probably won’t be in the postseason for the first time since 1997.’

‘The injured player the Bills desperately need back is cornerback Donovan Greer, who has been sidelined for two full games and most of a third with a sore ankle. "We especially have to get him back because of his speed and he’s a corner and we just don’t have any corners," Phillips said.’

‘"We’ve got a lot of proud players, a proud team, and this next game, we’d better come back smoking."’

‘The Bills situation is so desperate that they could be all but mathematically eliminated by the time they next take the field, Monday night at Indianapolis.’

‘Nothing like a public flogging in your own building to officially signify the end of your season.’

‘And that’s why Buffalo’s playoff hopes are as cooked as deep-fried baloney.’

‘"I don’t like Flutie anymore," said a fan as he trudged out to his car late Sunday afternoon. "Not since he danced with Hillary."’

‘Four starters were missing, so Buffalo’s defensive problems in Sunday’s 33-6 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Ralph Wilson Stadium was no surprise. The Bills’ offense had no excuse, however.’

‘How did the Dolphins exploit the Bills so badly? Let us count the ways…’.

‘"It was tough to watch," said linebacker Sam Cowart, who was one of the walking wounded. "To see our defense struggle out there and knowing you could do something about it but can’t . . . It was a helpless feeling."’

‘But the Dolphins’ dominance didn’t belong solely to the offense. Their defense trampled Bills quarterback Rob Johnson, sacking him five times before he was benched in favor of Doug Flutie late in the third quarter.’

‘There is still a mathematical chance they could make the playoffs, but you might as well turn the Bills over now. They’re done. Barbecued. Home for the New Year. They had hopes of running the table before the Miami debacle. Now it wouldn’t be a surprise if they ran it in reverse by dropping their last four.’

‘Coach Wade Phillips has resisted the idea of using Black or Price all season, but injuries left him no choice. Price took over punt return duties to relieve Watson, who is now starting at cornerback and is on all the other special teams.’

‘Ralph Wilson Stadium sold out for the seventh time in as many games as 73,002 showed they were more agreeable to handling the blustery weather than the Bills’ performance. About 3,002 were there at the end.’