2000

Chicago 3
Bills 20

Attendance: 72,420

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Doug Flutie won the game and then lost his starter's job.  

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.

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.

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.

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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