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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Doug Flutie won the game and then lost
his starter's job.
|  | | Antowain Smith was dragged down by Bears defensive end Bryan Robinson in Buffalo's victory. |
Saying he's sticking to the plan he had all along, Bills coach
Wade Phillips declared that Rob Johnson will regain his starter's
status following Buffalo's 20-3 win over the Chicago Bears on
Sunday.
Phillips based his decision on what he saw from Johnson's
performance filling in for Flutie for one series against the Bears.
"I wanted him in the ball game, playing some, getting a feel
for the game again," said Phillips. "I think he'll be fine next
week, and if he is, then he'll be playing."
While Flutie did most of the work, Johnson did account for the
game-winning drive.
Tied 3-3, Johnson marched Buffalo 54 yards to set up Steve
Christie's 42-yard field goal with 61 seconds left in the first
half.
As if in response, Flutie returned at the start of the third
quarter and drove the Bills 70 yards, capping the drive on a
fourth-and-1 keeper to all but seal the victory.
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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Question on the Bears: Why did Dick Jauron stick with Shane Matthews and keep Cade McNown on the bench?
Donahoe: It was my impression that McNown is still injured and could
not have played. When Jim
Miller went out with the Achilles' tendon injury, Matthews was probably
the only other quarterback the Bears had on the roster. Jauron didn't have
many options at that point. Matthews has not played this year -- and that
was evident as he threw three interceptions and had difficulty moving the
Bears' offense.
Question on the Bills:Will Wade Phillips do more harm than good by
playing both Doug Flutie and
Rob Johnson?
Donahoe: It appears that what Wade tried to do today was to get some
playing time for Rob Johnson,
who is not 100 percent healthy. If Johnson were healthy, he probably would
have started. But I anticipate that Johnson will be the starter next week,
and Wade just wanted to get him some snaps and some playing time today.
Flutie has done a good job as a starter -- he's 3-1. But the Bills are
committed to Johnson as their starter.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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Phillips' decision is the latest in weeks of controversy. The
Bills were 3-4 in games started by Johnson when he separated his
right shoulder on Oct. 15.
Under Flutie, the Bills are 3-1, and have won their last three
to jump back into playoff contention.
"I think I played my tail off for four weeks," said Flutie,
who finished 16-for-26 for 171 yards passing against the Bears.
"I'm very happy with the way things have gone. But, you know,
Rob's healthy now."
While pleased to have his job back, Johnson admitted Phillips
added to last week's controversy over who his starter was.
"He told me (I was the starter) and then he told you
(reporters) another thing. And then he kind of clarified it, saying
he didn't want to dump on the guy that's in there," Johnson said.
"And that made sense to me."
As for Flutie's performance, Johnson said: "He played great."
The Bears' problems only grew worse. After leading Chicago to
last weekend's heady 27-24 win over Indianapolis, quarterback Jim
Miller tore his left Achilles' tendon in the second quarter and is
expected to miss 6-7 months.
With Miller out, and No. 1 quarterback Cade McNown recovering
from a separated shoulder, the Bears were forced to go to
third-stringer Shane Matthews.
Making his season debut, Matthews went 11-for-24 for 106 yards,
threw three interceptions and fumbled once as the Bears dropped to
2-8.
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Home Sweet Home
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The Bills have now won three straight games at home, forcing 12 turnovers in that time and giving up only four. It's been a different story on the road though, as both the offense and defense have struggled away from Rich Stadium.
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Home
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Road
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W-L
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5-1
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1-3
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PPG
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21.5
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17.5
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PPG all.
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19.2
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23.3
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TO margin
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+13
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-3
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The Bears admitted Miller's injury was the game's turning point.
"We finally started getting into a rhythm, and all of a sudden
he gets hurt," tackle James Williams said. "Shane hasn't worked
out with us all year. You can't expect but so much from him."
Matthews, who started in seven of his eight appearances with the
Bears last season, was unhappy with his performance.
"I pride myself on being ready to play every week. And I just
went out there today and stunk it up," Matthews said. "We didn't
move the ball and a lot of that goes on the quarterback's
shoulders."
The focus on both team's quarterbacks overshadowed the play of
the Bills defense, which gave up 234 yards and held the Bears'
leading receiver, Marcus Robinson, to five catches for 37 yards.
Keion Carpenter picked off two of Matthews' passes, while Daryl
Porter had another interception. Porter also capped the scoring,
running Matthews' fumble back for a touchdown.
Buffalo's Steve Christie hit two field goals.
Chicago's lone points came from a Paul Edinger's 24-yard field
goal.
Phillips maintained that his quarterback switch is nothing
against Flutie.
"Doug's done a really good job. Everybody always want to bash
the guy that's not in there, but Doug did a good job. He won games.
That's the important thing," Phillips said.
The Bills won despite losing a group of players, including
defensive end Marcellus Wiley (knee), nose tackle Ted Washington
(stinger), safety Antoine Winfield (shoulder), guard Ruben Brown
(toe) and running back Sammy Morris (ankle). Phillips wouldn't go
into the extent of the injuries, only to say they will be
re-evaluated on Monday.
Game notes
Eric Moulds, who caught five passes for 91 yards,
extended his string to 43 games with a reception, tying the
franchise record. ... In holding James Allen to 87 yards rushing,
Buffalo has not given up a 100-yard game in 11 straight outings.
... The Bears have now been outscored 246-140 this season,
including 79-29 in the fourth quarter.
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ALSO SEE
Chicago Clubhouse
Buffalo Clubhouse
Week 11 wrap-ups
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Eric Moulds tells ESPN's Ann Werner his success is attributed to both Bills' quarterbacks.
wav: 419 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Coach Wade Phillips comments on his decision to switch quarterbacks mid-game.
wav: 124 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Doug Flutie discusses coach Wade Phillips decision to switch quarterbacks during the game.
wav: 104 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Bills owner Ralph Wilson says it's the coach's decision, not the fans, on who starts at QB.
wav: 124 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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