‘The conditions couldn’t have been much worse, but the outcome couldn’t have been any better.’
BillsBeat - December 18, 2000
Johnson takes hold, becomes the all-time career leader in punts
‘"That kick is supposed to be automatic. But it’s not that way from a holder’s perspective. On a normal day, it’s not bad. It’s an easy catch. But, the way the wind was blowing today (yesterday), it was weird.’
Romp in snow more than he bargained for
‘"They got smart in what they started running (in overtime)," Bills quarterback Doug Flutie said of the Pats’ performance in the extra period. "They ran unders and crosses and got guys running.’
Weather Is Frightful, Finish Delightful
‘With all flights canceled and the Buffalo airport already closed, the Patriots and Bills were two bad teams going nowhere Sunday, both literally and figuratively.’
Well-Timed Record
‘By kicking the ball hard and low to outwit the wind, Johnson punted great – a 42.3 average in horrid weather – clearly outdoing Bills punter Chris Mohr, who averaged only 29.1.’
Bills cold in red zone
‘But in the 41-year history of the Bills’ franchise, it is unlikely there has ever been a day that combined cold, wind and snow as fiercely as Sunday.’
Patriots 13, Bills 10, OT
‘"I know we aren’t going to the playoffs this year," Pats coach Bill Belichick said. "But when you walk in the locker room, you can see this game meant a lot to these players."’
Bills QB Johnson knocked out again
‘Rob Johnson once again couldn’t finish what he started.’
New England 13, Buffalo 10 (OT)
‘Drew Bledsoe is not known as a running quarterback, but he used his legs on an icy field to set up the game-winning kick by Adam Vinatieri.’
Expectations were too high for stumbling Bills
‘Phillips came across as too optimistic in believing a team that had been to the playoffs (there’s that word again) in his first two years — but one that entered this season in a state of transformation — could stay in the thick of the chase.’
BILLS STUMBLE IN WINTER BLUNDERLAND
‘”I’ve played in some cold games, some snowy games, some windy games, but this was a combination of all three,” Bills safety Henry Jones said. “We had sleet and snow coming down sideways today. It was just a brutal day. . . . It was miserable. To lose a game in those type of conditions makes it even worse.”‘
ANOTHER TALE OF TWO QUARTERBACKS
‘Quarterback Rob Johnson has been criticized by media and fans for holding onto the ball longer than he should at times. It’s a knock he doesn’t appreciate. He’ll dislike the criticism even more now that it’s coming from his coach.’
WEATHER PRODUCES A BITTER END
‘They arguably were the worst conditions ever for a Bills home game.’
SANTA MAY CALL AN AUDIBLE AT BILLS' CHIMNEYS
‘It looked like the same-old same-old to me. Those game plans could have been used during the second weekend in September.’
MOULDS CLAIMS TEAM RECORD; WILEY JOINS EXCLUSIVE CLUB
‘With two receptions, Moulds tied Andre Reed’s team record of 90 catches in a season, set in 1994. It took Moulds longer than expected to reach the mark. He had 84 catches through 12 games, but only had six in the last three. In each game, he was held without a catch until the second half.’