PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : No Elway Again for Broncos Today

The Buffalo Bills (9-4) have lost two in a row, against the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets. The Denver Broncos (7-6) have lost three in a row and quarterback John Elway.

That combination of circumstances increases the importance of today’s game (Channel 4, 9:30 a.m.) for both teams.

“I think we are coming in there at a tough time,” said Tommy Maddox, half of the Broncos’ tag-team replacement for Elway. “I don’t think Buffalo has lost two games in a row at home in a long time.”

Said Shawn Moore, the other Denver quarterback: “I think we’ve caught them at a bad time. They need a victory.”

In the second game of the day (Channel 2, 1 p.m.), the New York Giants (5-8) travel to Arizona to face the Phoenix Cardinals (3-10).

Physicians for Houston Oiler offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said Friday that pathology tests show he is cancer-free. Doctors removed Gilbride’s right kidney, some lymph nodes and a portion of a rib on Thursday after a tumor was found during a routine physical for insurance coverage. . . . Atlanta Falcon defensive end Mike Gann said his treatment for testicular cancer is going extremely well and he plans to play for the Falcons again next year.