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Posted at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 6, 2007

NFL: Bills QB Losman earns another start vs. Dolphins

By John Wawrow
Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Leading the Bills to consecutive victories is enough for quarterback J.P. Losman to keep the starting job Sunday, when Buffalo plays at Miami.

Coach Dick Jauron issued a statement today that he's going with Losman, in what is becoming a weekly announcement regarding the team's revolving door at quarterback. Jauron specifically noted the "outstanding job" Losman did in his past two appearances.

Losman went 24-for-34 for 295 yards and a touchdown in a 33-21 win over Cincinnati on Sunday. That followed a solid outing the previous weekend, when Losman produced two fourth-quarter scoring drives in a 13-3 win at the New York Jets in a backup role after rookie starter Trent Edwards sprained his right wrist.

The Bills (4-4) have won three straight and four of five despite being unsettled at quarterback.

Buffalo opened the season 0-3, and Losman lost the starting job when he sprained his left knee in a 38-7 loss at New England in Week 3.

Edwards went 2-1 in three starts before he was hurt.

It's unclear whether Edwards has fully recovered from the injury to his throwing hand. The third-round draft pick was not active against Cincinnati, and Jauron said the player was still experiencing some swelling.

The Dolphins (0-8), who are coming off a bye week, have already announced Cleo Lemon will remain the starter for at least another week ahead of rookie John Beck.

Losman has been on a roll since getting his second chance, and after fearing he might never get an opportunity to win back his job.

In a little more than five quarters, Losman has gone 27-for-39 for 408 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. That's a big improvement after Losman and Edwards combined for 352 yards passing and no scores in Buffalo's first three games.

Losman's 295 yards passing was a season-high for the Bills, and most in 14 games, dating to last season when Losman had a career-best 340 yards in a 24-21 win at Houston.

Receiver Lee Evans has been the biggest benefactor. Evans has 269 yards receiving and two touchdowns since Losman's return, after the receiver managed 245 yards and no scores in his first six-plus games.