ORCHARD PARK (AP) -- Perry Fewell doesn't need to be reminded of the Buffalo Bills' near decade-long history of futility against the New England Patriots.
He might be a little over a month into his tenure as Bills interim head coach, but Fewell's been in Buffalo long enough to have endured three-plus seasons worth of Patriots-inspired frustration. That includes blowout losses, fourth-quarter collapses and everything in between, so he knows what a win against New England on Sunday would do for his team's morale.
"It would be a tremendous boost," Fewell said Wednesday. "Unfortunately, since I've been here, we haven't beaten them, so if we can do that, accomplish that, that would be a great Christmas present."
Forget, Christmas. Fewell neglected to mention what a win might do for him in the new year.
If Fewell, who's 2-2 after Dick Jauron was dismissed, is to solidify himself as a serious contender for the job beyond this season, there's no better opportunity than this.
A win over the Patriots (8-5) would snap the Bills' 12-game losing streak against their AFC East rivals, a drought which began after Buffalo's 31-0 season-opening victory in 2004.
Perhaps bigger still, beating the Patriots would provide Fewell as many victories - one, to be exact - against the Pats as the Bills' previous three coaches had combined. Gregg Williams, who took over in 2001, went 1-5 against New England during his three-year stint; Mike Mularkey lost all four meetings; and Jauron went 0-7 before being fired in November.
Though Fewell declined to discuss what a win Sunday might do for him personally, defensive end Aaron Schobel was willing to speak for his coach.
"I could see that as an argument for Perry," Schobel said. "He's done a good job. I don't see why he won't get a chance."
All's been quiet on the Bills' coaching search since word leaked that the team interviewed former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan prior to Thanksgiving. Bills owner Ralph Wilson has said he intends to wait until the end of the season before beginning a complete evaluation of his front office.
Fewell has done his part to make an impression by getting the most out of a patchwork, injury-riddled team that had begun to unravel under Jauron following two lopsided losses.
Though the Bills still can't stop the run and are still sputtering on offense, they have become competitive. Their two losses under Fewell have been decided by a combined 12 points. And Buffalo has shown resilience in its two victories, including last weekend's 16-10 win over Kansas City in which the defense secured the victory with four interceptions.
Bills players credit Fewell for making a difference with a fiery approach, and making several tweaks in the practice routine.
Fewell has the team working in pads more often. He's also not been afraid to practice in the rain or, as happened Wednesday, frigid cold.
Despite a harsh wind blowing off nearby Lake Erie, and sub-25 temperatures, Bills receivers spent about eight minutes working out on a grass field next to the team's indoor facility.
When asked about the outdoor session, receiver Terrell Owens called it "brutal," and then joked: "I can't remember it. I'm still frozen."
Owens then kidded that he's no longer a fan of Fewell's, before adding: "Coach Fewell has done a great job with us thus far. We're just going out there and trying to practice hard for him and trying to play hard for him."
Fewell has kept his players loose with what's been described as an infectious sense of humor.
"He's definitely kept the spirit of the team up and not made it as heavy," receiver Lee Evans said. "He's tried to lighten the mood and have a little fun."
Rookie safety Jairus Byrd suggested Fewell is funnier now than he previously was as a defensive coordinator. When relayed Byrd's comment, Fewell proved how funny he can be.
"Maybe because he hears me twice that he thinks it's funny the second time," Fewell said, noting he now addresses the defensive players twice, first as a team session and then as a unit. "Maybe he didn't get it the first time."
Imagine how much fun it'll be if the Bills beat the Patriots on Sunday.
"I hope we prove it for him," punter Brian Moorman said. "It would be nice to come out with a victory, if not for him, then for all of us."
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
