Two Bills Drive

‘For a long stretch during the second half of yesterday’s overtime win over the Patriots, Doug Flutie didn’t play like a man who has magic dust in his veins. Instead, he looked more like a guy who should be holding a clipboard.’

‘Before designated snapper Ethan Albright could center the ball, the Patriots called timeout to give Christie time to contemplate his situation. "Actually, it gave me time to clean the mud out of my boots, so it was a good thing," Christie said.’

‘And make no mistake, if the right thumb Bledsoe jammed in the first quarter of New England’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills is broken, it would be a great stroke of good fortune for him, and possibly even for the Pats.’

‘Michael Bishop had a feeling he would be the Patriots’ No. 3 quarterback for the rest of the season – and that was before he spent virtually the entire game on the bench yesterday.’

‘So Drew bashers, hope you had a good look at life without Bledsoe. Pats bettors did and it hurts.’

‘If you thought a 2-6 start represented rock-bottom for the Patriots, think again.’

‘The Oakville, Ontario, native now is responsible for winning kicks in four of the Bills’ five wins. All four have come in the final minute or in overtime. He’s won three games on the final play.’

‘Friesz is the first to admit that he didn’t exactly light it up.’

‘The Patriots will be hurting, big-time, if Bledsoe can’t play.’

‘How often has an allegedly professional football team have a first down on its opponent’s 1-yard line three times on the same possession and fail to score? It happened to the Patriots in the third quarter Sunday.’

‘It was not," Friesz said, "the first time I was booed." It was the first time Friesz was booed as a Patriots quarterback.’

‘Bledsoe, who had no cast or bandage on his hand afterward and said he hoped to play next week at Cleveland, was aggravated himself. Aggravated by the loss and perhaps by his own misplaced inference that his toughness was being questioned.’

‘Doug Flutie almost never loses in Foxboro. The New England Patriots almost never win there anymore, either.’

‘It’s pretty sad when you predict exactly how your team will lose a game with 2:08 to play, and you turn out right on the button.’

‘The Patriots’ inability to finish off teams in close games continued Sunday afternoon, as Steve Christie kicked a 32-yard field goal in overtime to give the Buffalo Bills a 16-13 win over New England.’