ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -A four-game win streak has Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay believing anything is possible.
Even beating New England?
“Obviously, we realize it’s going to be tough,” Kelsay said Monday. “But at the same time, we know that it’s not impossible.”
To be clear, Kelsay stopped far short of making any promises.
Still, it’s much better than nothing, and it also reflects how upbeat the resurgent Bills are as they prepare to face their most daunting test of the year: hosting Tom Brady and the perfect Patriots (9-0) on Sunday night.
The Bills (5-4) are on a roll, having won five of six to find themselves suddenly back in the AFC playoff race. Their four-game win streak, including a come-from-behind 13-10 victory at Miami on Sunday, is their longest since a six-gamer in 2004, and it’s currently tied with Green Bay as the second-longest behind the Patriots.
It’s no matter that the Bills have piled up victories against some of the NFL’s weaker teams, a group of pushovers that includes the Dolphins (0-9) and two wins against New York Jets (1-8).
What counts is Buffalo having found chemistry and resilience in overcoming a dreadful start in which the team lost nine players – including four starters – to season-ending injuries by the first week of October, and twice lost games on the final play of regulation. That 1-4 start includes a 38-7 loss to New England.
“I don’t know about anybody but me, but it doesn’t wear off fast: I like the feeling of winning,” coach Dick Jauron said. “I tell them they should enjoy it. … Hopefully, it’ll last through the whole week.”
Jauron was so pleased with his team’s run that he shrugged off questions regarding an offense that took several steps back against the Dolphins.
“It’s kind of like everything, you’re always concerned,” Jauron said. “The main thing is we won the game, that they responded and made the drive that we needed to make.”
Barely.
The J.P. Losman-led attack reverted to its sputtering ways, managing 117 yards and eight first downs through three quarters as Buffalo fell behind 10-2. The Bills’ only points came when Kelsay sacked Cleo Lemon for a safety.
The Bills finally mustered a response when Losman engineered a 10-play, 66-yard drive capped by Marshawn Lynch’s 3-yard plunge. Lynch then accounted for 23 of the 34 yards the offense produced on its next drive to set up Rian Lindell’s decisive 34-yard field goal.
Despite the win, Jauron followed what’s become a weekly trend by refusing to say whether Losman has earned himself another start this weekend. Losman has won his past two starts and secured a 13-3 win over the Jets, when he produced two fourth-quarter scoring drives after rookie starter Trent Edwards sprained his throwing hand.
Edwards, who was healthy enough to serve as the backup last weekend, went 2-1 in three starts and had earned the No. 1 job after Losman sprained his left knee against the Patriots in Week 3.
Offensive questions aside, the Bills defense continues to key victories.
The unit limited Miami 269 yards offense – the third straight game it has held an opponent to under 300.
Buffalo is also proving stout in the clutch. Since allowing nine points in the final 20 seconds of a 25-24 loss to Dallas, the Bills have allowed seven fourth-quarter points in their past four games.
“The heart of this team is phenomenal,” Kelsay said. “It’s been a fun ride so far. And we’ve just got to keep it going.”
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