--Veteran OG Chris Villarrial, never one to mince words, on Buffalo's offensive struggles: "It's like 'Groundhog Day.' It's all we talk about is not killing ourselves, and that's what we're doing. The players are frustrated, the fans are frustrated, the coaches are frustrated, it's just one of those things. It's not like we're out there trying to make mistakes, but they just keep on happening. It's the old analogy, we have to keep working hard and get the job done, no matter what it takes. We have to grow up. That's where we're at."

--Like all of Western New York, the Bills have been swept up in Buffalo Sabres fever. The city's NHL franchise got off to a record-tying 10-0 start before losing its first game Saturday. "I don't see us in direct competition with the Sabres," DE Ryan Denney, a big hockey fan from Colorado, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "We have great fans and they'll be loyal to us. But we also realize that if there's a better show in town, some people might lose interest in what we're doing and follow the hockey team. Hopefully we can turn this thing around and keep our fans who have been very good and loyal to us interested." The Bills have sold out 26 of 27 games despite not making the playoffs six consecutive years and starting this season 2-5.

--Rookie FS Ko Simpson, who hails from Rock Hill, S.C., is proud of the NFL talent his hometown has produced. "It's about 15 minutes from Charlotte," he said. "Just a regular small town. We've put out a couple of DBs. ... Jeff Burris. Chris Hope. Johnathan Joseph. Derek Ross. We've got Ben Watson." What's in the drinking water? "I don't know. We've got dudes at Florida and Tennessee, too, who are coming up," Simpson said.

PLAYER NOTES

--QB J.P. Losman's yards-per-passing-attempt average is vastly improved from a year ago. Last year, his mark was 5.87. This year, it is 6.67, another sign the third-year pro is progressing despite his recent spate of turnovers.

--RB Willis McGahee is on pace for 343 carries, which would top last season's workload (325). He has gone four games without a 100-yard day, and his per-carry average has dipped to 3.8.

--WR Andre Davis, who has yet to catch a pass, has just missed hooking up twice on fly routes with QB J.P. Losman. The speedy Davis is expected to be used more by the Bills, whose 29th-ranked passing game needs a spark.

--TE Robert Royal, caught a season-high four catches for 36 yards in a loss to New England last time out, could be emerging. The Bills are looking for ways to improve their shoddy third-down conversion rate.

--OG Tutan Reyes, who has lost his starting job at left guard, is nursing a shoulder problem that may have contributed to his struggles. His status for Sunday's game against the Packers will be updated Wednesday.

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