NFL
Bye week pauses Bills' losing streak
by MATT KRUEGER Reporter

The good news for the Buffalo Bills this week is that they don't have to worry about losing for the fourth Sunday in a row.

OK, they can't win either, since they'll be taking this weekend to relax, nurse any lingering injuries and figure out how to get back on course.

Yes, the bye week couldn't come at a better time.

Following three straight losses to Chicago, Detroit and New England, the Bills are reeling and headed for the bottom of the AFC. They could use a break.

"It gives us a chance, a weekend off, to maybe watch other teams, see where we want to go, what we want to do and how we're going to do it, how we're going to stick together, what we're going to listen to, what we're not going to listen to," said quarterback J.P. Losman, who struggled again with two fumbles and an interception. "We've got to get a fire back in us, confidence, and keep it there. We're moving the ball. That's not a problem. We're moving the chains, moving the ball. We just have to figure out how to punch it in."

Sunday's 28-6 loss to the Patriots was a far cry from the 19-17 loss to New England back in Week One. As soon as Buffalo surrendered two touchdowns in the first quarter and failed to capitalize on a red zone opportunity on its opening drive, settling instead for a 40-yard Rian Lindell field goal, it was all Patriots.

Frustrations mounted from the game, as Buffalo continued to make the mistakes that have cost them victories this year. After a brilliant shovel pass to Willis McGahee for a 56-yard gain on the first drive, the Bills followed up with a failed gimmick play with receiver Josh Reed lined up at QB and Losman split out wide left. Then it was a short run by McGahee and a fumble by Losman to set the Bills back to the New England 22.

The Bills also took bad penalties, like the roughing the-passer call on Chris Kelsay for hitting Tom Brady after the quarterback had gone down to the turf on third and 10 from the Buffalo 21. That penalty set up the Patriots with a first down on the Bills 12. And good teams take advantage of any opportunity. On the next play, Corey Dillon took the ball around the left side to give New England a 14-3 lead.

"Foolish errors don't really give us much of a chance to win the game, especially against good opponents," head coach Dick Jauron said. "And, obviously, they're a good opponent. So we just got ourselves out of it."

With two weeks to prepare for the Green Bay Packers, the Bills have plenty of areas in need of attention.

The offensive line is struggling, especially now with the injury to left guard Tutan Reyes. Willis McGahee is averaging fewer than four yards per carry. Turnovers continue to plague the offense. The defense is giving up too many points and big plays.

"We'll get an early jump (on Green Bay) and then we'll focus on fundamentals, the basics," Jauron said. "We'll have individual period and work on our form tackling and fits. When it comes down to it, those are the things that win and lose for you. This team has played seven games and clearly we aren't fundamentally hitting our fits all the time and executing our schemes all the time like we need to be. This is an ultimate team sport. Nine guys can execute well and two can fail it and it looks really bad. That's what has been happening. There are certainly stretches where we execute it well. We have to get a lot better in our fundamentals and I have to do a better job preparing them. We've got to execute. We'll spend a good deal of time going back to fundamental football because those are the things that will win for you. If we keep it close, we have a chance. If we don't, if we keep committing foolish errors in the game, then we kill ourselves. It's hard to beat the opponent and ourselves in the same game."

The work ethic on the team is not in question, it's the execution on the field. But games aren't won in the workout room.

"We work so hard, and it's really unfortunate that we're not getting wins," said left tackle Larry Tripplett. "But as far as working hard and giving everything you have and having a passion for the game, the guys are doing that. We've just got to limit the mistakes and win games."

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com