Two Bills Drive

‘"This was a big win," [Steve Christie said], "and we needed it." But will there be enough for a playoff berth?’

‘The Bills’ second touchdown was bizarre as running back Jonathan Linton fumbled into the end zone when hit by former Buffalo safety Mike Dumas with center Jerry Ostroski recovering. "That’s the first touchdown I’ve scored since I was in sixth grade and caught a long bomb in the backyard," Ostroski said. "All my life I was doomed to be an offensive lineman and not touch the football unless I hiked it. So, scoring today, was pretty cool."’

‘When the announcement was made that the San Diego locker room was open after the Chargers 27-24 overtime loss, only two reporters bothered to go in.’

‘In breaking his seasonlong routine, Chargers coach Mike Riley didn’t wait until the morning after the game to admit he had made a mistake. Instead, he stepped up to a wall of microphones after yesterday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills and acknowledged his decision to send in backup Moses Moreno to start the second quarter was wrong.’

‘[Chargers’ coach Mike Riley’s] first mistake was announcing during the week that Jim Harbaugh would start the game, play the first quarter and then give way to Moses Moreno for the second 15 minutes. This isn’t Colgate-Canisius. His second mistake was sticking to his decision. Pulling Harbaugh was an error. It was a mistake before Moreno came in and stunk up Ralph Wilson Stadium to such an extent I’m surprised the fans didn’t run for Syracuse.’

‘It was like old times for wide receivers Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham yesterday against the Buffalo Bills. As they did five years ago as teammate with the Chicago Bears, the two ran circles around the opposing secondary. They caught passes: 16 combined. They gained yards: 256 combined. They scored touchdowns: one each. They lost.’

‘"I was called because I was the last one on the line," said Ostroski, who was reluctant to take credit for saving the Bills. "It should have been called on them because they jacked with our center."’

‘The Bills appeared to have scored on their second possession when they lined up for a field goal only to have holder Chris Mohr stand up and pass 37 yards to an uncovered Eric Moulds for what should have been a touchdown. But the officials ruled the ball was "not whistled ready for play" and nullified the play. Buffalo wound up punting.’

‘Lazio began the day at the Buffalo Bills game in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Accompanied by his wife and two young daughters, he greeted fans in the parking lot amid tailgate parties complete with barbecues and beer. An airplane flew overhead with a banner reading "Lazio for Senate, www.lazio.com," while campaign aides handed out toy footballs bearing the message "Go Buffalo! Lazio for Senate." "I grew up a Giants fan," Lazio said, "but that doesn’t mean I’m against the Bills. Today, I’m really hoping the Bills win and shut out the Chargers." His wish came true, in part: The Bills beat the San Diego Chargers, 27-24.’

‘The Bills ended a three-game losing streak and leveled their record at 3-3 with a 27-24 overtime win over the winless San Diego Chargers before a sellout crowd in Ralph Wilson Stadium. The victory came despite an injury to Rob Johnson, who separated his shoulder in overtime. Johnson is expected to miss two to four weeks.’

‘Everything that looked easy was made hard by the Bills on this day. The winless San Diego Chargers made so many mistakes that Bills fans could have been lighting victory cigars by halftime. But the Bills sunk to the Chargers’ level – and actually went below it for the first three quarters. It wasn’t until 8:26 of overtime was played that the crowd of 72,351 at Ralph Wilson Stadium was able to breathe a final sigh of relief.’

‘"He’s really come through, especially in the clutch," Bills coach Wade Phillips said of Moulds who, with 560 yards this year, is on pace for his second 1,000-yard season in two years. "We look for him a lot, but he’s our big gun. He’s our big guy. He’s always there to make plays. I’m constantly amazed by him."’

‘Thinking of the Bills as a playoff team is fantasy. They’re not getting better and now they may be worse. The offensive line, a danger to quarterback Rob Johnson’s health all season long, finally proved too much of a handicap to overcome. The sacks the line allows are bad enough, but it’s double the misery when it allows a pass rusher to get close enough to its quarterback to knock him down after he gets rid of the ball.’

‘"I think I learned my lesson early on," Flutie said Sunday after the Bills’ 27-24 overtime win over those same Chargers. "Since Day One, when I got the opportunity to go in, it’s made it more imperative to me to always be ready. The opportunity could be there at any given moment."’

‘Center Jerry Ostroski ripped the fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium for booing the players, quarterback Rob Johnson in particular, and coach Wade Phillips during the Bills’ 27-24 overtime win over the San Diego Chargers. "Personally, I think it’s damn ridiculous," Ostroski said. "It’s sad when a football team is excited to go on the road because they don’t want to play at home and get booed by their own fans and have their head coach called out and have their quarterback called out like that. I think it’s a damn shame."’