What if the Fuel Flow and the Drag Curve are co-related and if you increase/decrease one, it affects the other? I don't know if it does but it could.

It's like if you sit on the runway with the brakes on and apply full power. Your aircraft might move down the runway, fuel flow will be high, but you may never have enough speed to attain lift. Maybe it's similar: Higher drag - requires more power - so it consumes more fuel.

Mark