Two Bills Drive

‘His once water-tight defense has sprung more leaks than the Titanic in its death throes, but Gunther Cunningham clings to his belief that a rescue boat is in sight.’

‘Thanks to a three-game winning streak, the Buffalo Bills have played their way back into the AFC playoff race. But they are a long way from clinching a spot.’

‘Say what you will about Thurman – and there is plenty to say – but nobody wanted to see him lying on his back, grimacing in pain and cupping his right knee after making one too many cuts in his Hall of Fame career.’

‘"He loves Rutgers," Bills coach Wade Phillips said in a published report. "I don’t know why. He coached there a long time and he has a great feeling for that school. They’d be smart to contact him, but I don’t know if any college job is better than the one he’s got here."’

‘The Chiefs have never gone three straight games without at least one takeaway. But it won’t get easier this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.’

‘The laundry list of ailing Bills: Left guard Ruben Brown (turf toe), free safety Keion Carpenter (strained calf muscle), quarterback Doug Flutie (sprained ankle), cornerback Donovan Greer (sprained ankle), running back Sammy Morris (sprained ankle), strong safety Henry Jones (strained back muscle), nose tackle Ted Washington (shoulder stinger), defensive end Marcellus Wiley (thigh bruise) and cornerback Antoine Winfield (shoulder).’

‘The long-time Buffalo Bills running back suffered a torn ligament in his right knee in Sunday’s 17-7 victory over the Chargers in San Diego and was placed on injured reserve.’

‘It’s true that Arrowhead is a difficult place for a visitor, but the Chiefs lost two games there already. They also lost two home games last year and three the year before.’

‘Given the four-week gauntlet his team is about to embark on starting Sunday in Kansas City, a little rest and relaxation might be exactly what the Bills need right now.’

‘Too many Flutie supporters think Johnson backers are anti-Flutie. I’m pro-Flutie and pro-Johnson. I support both QBs because I believe they’re quality players capable of winning games for the Bills.’

‘The football world keeps hearing the Bills’ company line that Johnson is the future. At age 27, that future is now.’

‘Missing the playoffs with one fine quarterback is understandable; missing with two looks like carelessness.’

‘They haven’t been competitive in two weeks. Sunday’s 21-7 loss in San Francisco was perhaps the biggest disappointment of the Gunther Cunningham era, given the blowout defeat to what had been a 2-8 team.’

‘"I wanted him (Johnson) in the ballgame to get a feel for the game again," Phillips said. "He looked good and he’ll start Sunday at Kansas City."’

‘"They’re not always pretty, but you do what you have to do to win the game," Flutie said. "We’ve won 4-of-5 and we’re back in the hunt and in good shape."’