2002 Buffalo Bills season

2002 Buffalo Bills season
OwnerRalph Wilson
General managerTom Donahoe
Head coachGregg Williams
Home stadiumRalph Wilson Stadium
Results
Record8–8
Division place4th AFC East
PlayoffsDid not qualify
All-ProsWR Eric Moulds (2nd team)
G Ruben Brown (2nd team)
Pro BowlersQB Drew Bledsoe
RB Travis Henry
WR Eric Moulds
G Ruben Brown

The 2002 season was the Buffalo Bills' 43rd as a franchise and 33rd in the National Football League.

The Bills acquired veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe from the New England Patriots on draft weekend in exchange for Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2003 draft, (the Bills later gained a first-round pick via a sign-and-trade of receiver Peerless Price, coming off a breakout season, to the Atlanta Falcons for their first-round pick in the 2003 draft). Bledsoe brought instant credibility to Buffalo's inept passing game; the Bills' offense scored the sixth most points in the AFC in 2002, after having scored the fifth fewest in the entire league the previous season.

The Bills competed in a very competitive AFC East, but ultimately finished the season in last place at 8–8 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season. They were the only team in the division who didn't finish with a winning record or win 9 games during the season.

The season saw the Bills change their uniform, which lasted until 2011.

Offseason

AdditionsSubtractions
QB Drew Bledsoe (Patriots)QB Rob Johnson (Buccaneers)
LB London Fletcher (Rams)LB Jay Foreman (Texans)
K Mike Hollis (Jaguars)LB Sam Cowart (Jets)
TE Dave Moore (Buccaneers)T John Fina (Cardinals)
DE Chidi Ahanotu (Rams)CB Ken Irvin (Saints)
LB Eddie Robinson (Titans)G Craig Heimburger (Texans)
T Marcus Price (Saints)
C Trey Teague (Broncos)
S Billy Jenkins (Packers)

2002 expansion draft

Buffalo Bills selected during the expansion draft
Round Overall Name Position Expansion team
—16Avion BlackWide receiverHouston Texans

Draft

The Bills infamously drafted Mike Williams, an offensive tackle from Texas with the #4 overall pick of the draft, with University of Miami offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie still available. Williams spent only four seasons with the team. Sporting News named Williams as the #4 biggest NFL draft bust from 1989–2008.

2002 Buffalo Bills draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 4 Mike Williams  OT Texas
2 36 Josh Reed  WR LSU
2 61 Ryan Denney  DE BYU
3 97 Coy Wire  S Stanford
5 139 Justin Bannan  DT Colorado
6 179 Kevin Thomas  CB UNLV
7 215 Mike Pucillo  C Auburn
7 249 Rodney Wright  WR Fresno State
7 251 Jarrett Ferguson  RB Virginia Tech
7 260 Dominique Stevenson  LB Tennessee
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

2002 undrafted free agents of note
Player Position College
Ahmad Brooks Cornerback Texas
Jamarei Bryant Cornerback Kansas
Joe Burns Running back Georgia Tech
Clarence Coleman Wide receiver Ferris State
Edward Dangerfield Wide receiver LSU
John Duckett Linebacker Virginia
Grant Irons Defensive end Notre Dame
Chip Mattingly Long Snapper Louisville
David Priestley Quarterback Pittsburgh
Milton Proctor Safety Kansas State
Marc Samuel Kicker Georgetown

Personnel

2002 Buffalo Bills staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Jerry Gray
  • Defensive line – John Levra
  • Assistant defensive line – O’Neill Gilbert
  • Linebackers – Miles Aldridge
  • Defensive Backs (Cornerbacks) – Pat Thomas
  • Third Down Specialist (Safeties) – Steve Jackson
  • Defensive assistant – Chuck Lester

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Danny Smith
  • Special teams assistant – Tommy Kaiser

Strength and conditioning

Roster

2002 Buffalo Bills roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

 Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 6 reserve, 5 practice squad

Regular season

Due to the Bills' 3–13 record the previous season, the NFL did not schedule any of their games in prime time (Sunday night or Monday night), and all but two of the Bills' games had 1:00 start times. However, due to the attention the Bills' free-agent acquisitions brought to the team, as well as the team being in the thick of the competitive AFC East race, several division games were aired nationally on CBS.

After a one-year absence, the NFL Primetime theme "Powersurge" returned as the Bills' theme song on the ESPN program. It was used for the show's Bills highlights for each game during the season except for the Bengals/Bills game in Week 17.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 8 New York Jets L 31–37 (OT) 0–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium 72,751 Recap
2 September 15 at Minnesota Vikings W 45–39 (OT) 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,047 Recap
3 September 22 at Denver Broncos L 23–28 1–2 Invesco Field at Mile High 75,359 Recap
4 September 29 Chicago Bears W 33–27 (OT) 2–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium 72,780 Recap
5 October 6 Oakland Raiders L 31–49 2–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium 73,038 Recap
6 October 13 at Houston Texans W 31–24 3–3 Reliant Stadium 70,120 Recap
7 October 20 at Miami Dolphins W 23–10 4–3 Pro Player Stadium 73,180 Recap
8 October 27 Detroit Lions W 24–17 5–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium 72,710 Recap
9 November 3 New England Patriots L 7–38 5–4 Ralph Wilson Stadium 73,448 Recap
10 Bye
11 November 17 at Kansas City Chiefs L 16–17 5–5 Arrowhead Stadium 77,951 Recap
12 November 24 at New York Jets L 13–31 5–6 Giants Stadium 78,745 Recap
13 December 1 Miami Dolphins W 38–21 6–6 Ralph Wilson Stadium 73,287 Recap
14 December 8 at New England Patriots L 17–27 6–7 Gillette Stadium 68,436 Recap
15 December 15 San Diego Chargers W 20–13 7–7 Ralph Wilson Stadium 61,838 Recap
16 December 22 at Green Bay Packers L 0–10 7–8 Lambeau Field 64,106 Recap
17 December 29 Cincinnati Bengals W 27–9 8–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium 47,850 Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC East
 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) New York Jets 9 7 0 .563 4–2 6–6 359 336 W2
New England Patriots 9 7 0 .563 4–2 6–6 381 346 W1
Miami Dolphins 9 7 0 .563 2–4 7–5 378 301 L2
Buffalo Bills 8 8 0 .500 2–4 5–7 379 397 W1

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New York Jets

Week 1: New York Jets (0–0) at Buffalo Bills (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Jets 0 17 311637
Bills 3 14 77031

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 52-yard field goal, 9:04. Bills 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 5:56.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Travis Henry 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 12:25. Bills 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:31.
  • NYJ – Chad Morton 98-yard kickoff return (John Hall kick), 12:11. Bills 10–7. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:14.
  • NYJ – Anthony Becht 1-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (John Hall kick), 9:12. Jets 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards, 1:36.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 3-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 2:37. Bills 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 6:35.
  • NYJ – John Hall 34-yard field goal, 0:05. Tied 17–17. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 2:32.

Third quarter

  • NYJ – John Hall 45-yard field goal, 10:50. Jets 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 4:10.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 2-yard run, 0:58. Bills 24–20. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 3:26.

Fourth quarter

  • NYJ – John Hall 33-yard field goal, 9:25. Bills 24–23. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:30.
  • NYJ – Wayne Chrebet 18-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Vinny Testaverde–Anthony Becht pass), 4:47. Jets 31–24. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:35.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 29-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 0:26. Tied 31–31. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 4:21.

Overtime

  • NYJ – Chad Morton 96-yard kickoff return, 14:46. Jets 37–31. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:14.

Top passers

  • NYJ – Vinny Testaverde – 24/30, 210 yards, 2 TD
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 26/39, 271 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • NYJ – LaMont Jordan – 7 rushes, 32 yards
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 31 rushes, 149 yards, 3 TD

Top receivers

  • NYJ – Wayne Chrebet – 5 receptions, 58 yards, TD
  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 8 receptions, 112 yards, TD

Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 2: Buffalo Bills (0–1) at Minnesota Vikings (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Bills 6 7 1016645
Vikings 3 10 1313039

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Doug Brien 29-yard field goal, 7:32. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 4:30..
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 52-yard field goal, 3:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:36..
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 20-yard field goal, 0:30. Bills 6–3. Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 2:25..

Second quarter

  • MIN – Daunte Culpepper 2-yard run (Doug Brien kick), 8:54. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 6:36..
  • MIN – Doug Brien 22-yard field goal, 2:13. Vikings 13–6. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 4:54..
  • BUF – Josh Reed 9-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 1:06. Tied 13–13. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 1:07..

Third quarter

  • MIN – Randy Moss 2-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Doug Brien kick), 13:36. Vikings 20–13. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards, 0:40..
  • BUF – Charlie Rogers 90-yard kickoff return (Mike Hollis kick), 13:24. Tied 20–20. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:12..
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 20-yard field goal, 6:14. Bills 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 4:45..
  • MIN – D'Wayne Bates 29-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (kick failed, wide left), 1:30. Vikings 26–23. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 4:44..

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Ron Edwards fumble recovery in the end zone (Mike Hollis kick), 14:01. Bills 30–26.
  • MIN – Derrick Alexander 5-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (kick failed), 7:27. Vikings 32–30. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 6:34..
  • BUF – Peerless Price 3-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (pass failed), 3:08. Bills 36–32. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:19..
  • MIN – Moe Williams 2-yard run (Doug Brien kick), 0:26. Vikings 39–36. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 2:42..
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 54-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 39–39. Drive: 4 plays, 29 yards, 0:26..

Overtime

  • BUF – Peerless Price 48-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe, 4:48. Bills 45–39. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:40..

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 35/49, 463 yards, 3 TD
  • MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 25/45, 281 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 12 rushes, 30 yards
  • MIN – Moe Williams – 17 rushes, 102 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BUF – Peerless Price – 13 receptions, 185 yards, 2 TD
  • MIN – Randy Moss – 11 receptions, 111 yards, TD

Week 3: at Denver Broncos

Week 3: Buffalo Bills (1–1) at Denver Broncos (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 31323
Broncos 7 7 7728

at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DEN – Clinton Portis 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 9:51. Broncos 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:09.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 2:54. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:59.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal, 10:02. Broncos 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:02.
  • DEN – Dwayne Carswell 1-yard pass from Brian Griese (Jason Elam kick), 2:00. Broncos 21–10. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:22.

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Josh Reed 4-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (2 Pt failed), 7:40. Broncos 21–16. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 0:43.
  • DEN – Rod Smith 26-yard pass from Brian Griese (Jason Elam kick), 2:45. Broncos 28–16. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:56.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis Kick), 1:40. Broncos 28–23. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 1:27.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 27/41, 283 yards, 2 TD
  • DEN – Brian Griese – 19/31, 211 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 12 rushes, 35 yards, TD
  • DEN – Clinton Portis – 18 rushes, 103 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 9 receptions, 96 yards, TD
  • DEN – Rod Smith – 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD

Week 4: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 4: Chicago Bears (2–1) at Buffalo Bills (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Bears 7 7 310027
Bills 7 10 37633

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter

  • BUF – Peerless Price 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 10:55. Bills 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:12.
  • CHI – Mike Brown 62-yard fumble return (Paul Edinger kick), 3:00. Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 48-yard field goal, 13:05. Bills 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 4:24.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 4-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 5:55. Bills 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:59.
  • CHI – David Terrell 5-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 0:34. Bills 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:08.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 49-yard field goal, 11:30. Bills 20–14. Drive: 5 plays, 13 yards, 2:13.
  • CHI – Paul Edinger 46-yard field goal, 6:55. Bills 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:45.

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Paul Edinger 24-yard field goal, 12:51. Tied 20–20. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:42.
  • BUF – Dave Moore 1-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 9:30. Bills 27–20. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 3:44.
  • CHI – John Davis 4-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 3:39. Tied 27–27. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 6:09.

Overtime

  • BUF – Travis Henry 26-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe, 13:15. Bills 33–27. Drive: 2 plays, 56 yards, 0:53.

Top passers

  • CHI – Jim Miller – 19/31, 188 yards, 2 TD
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 28/36, 328 yards, 4 TD

Top rushers

  • CHI – Anthony Thomas – 23 rushes, 48 yards
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 12 rushes, 68 yards

Top receivers

  • CHI – Marty Booker – 4 receptions, 82 yards
  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 8 receptions, 124 yards, TD

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 5: Oakland Raiders (3–0) at Buffalo Bills (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 14 72149
Bills 0 21 10031

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 6, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 64 °F or 17.8 °C
  • Game attendance: 73,038
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross and Beasley Reece
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • BUF – Peerless Price 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 9:48. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:51.
  • OAK – Rich Gannon 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 8:11. Raiders 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:37.
  • BUF – Dave Moore 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 6:42. Tied 14–14. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:29.
  • OAK – Charlie Garner 36-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 4:38. Raiders 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:04.
  • BUF – Larry Centers 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 0:40. Tied 21–21. Drive: 5 plays, 98 yards, 0:52.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal, 10:10. Bills 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:50.
  • OAK – Zack Crockett 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 6:17. Raiders 28–24. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 2:12.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 2:19. Bills 31–28. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:58.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Charlie Garner 69-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 11:18. Raiders 35–31. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:34.
  • OAK – Phillip Buchanon 81-yard interception return (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 8:02. Raiders 42–31.
  • OAK – Jerry Rice 20-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 4:20. Raiders 49–31. Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

  • OAK – Rich Gannon – 23/38, 357 yards, 3 TD
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 32/53, 417 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • OAK – Charlie Garner – 8 rushes, 94 yards, TD
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 15 rushes, 58 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • OAK – Jerry Porter – 7 receptions, 117 yards, TD
  • BUF – Peerless Price – 7 receptions, 126 yards, TD

Week 6: at Houston Texans

Week 6: Buffalo Bills (2–3) at Houston Texans (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 7 71431
Texans 3 14 0724

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

First quarter

  • HOU – Kris Brown 26-yard field goal, 10:26 Texans 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:19.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 33-yard field goal, 5:00 Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 5:26.

Second quarter

  • HOU – Jabar Gaffney 26-yard pass from David Carr (Kris Brown kick), 10:31 Texans 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:34.
  • HOU – David Carr 17-yard run (Kris Brown kick), 5:04 Texans 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 4:04.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 0:54 Texans 17–10. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 4:10.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Travis Henry 23-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 6:32 Tied 17–17. Drive: 11 plays, 95 yards, 5:10.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Billy Miller 5-yard pass from James Allen (Kris Brown kick), 14:10 Texans 24–17. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:24.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 23-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 10:39 Tied 24–24. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:31.
  • BUF – Peerless Price 26-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 3:55 Bills 31–24. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:30.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 19/33, 254 yards, 2 TD
  • HOU – David Carr – 12/23, 218 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 28 rushes, 159 yards, 2 TD
  • HOU – Jonathan Wells – 12 rushes, 70 yards

Top receivers

  • BUF – Peerless Price – 8 receptions, 121 yards, TD
  • HOU – Corey Bradford – 5 receptions, 126 yards

Week 7: at Miami Dolphins

Week 7: Buffalo Bills (3–3) at Miami Dolphins (5–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 14 3323
Dolphins 7 3 0010

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

First quarter

  • MIA – Randy McMichael 4-yard pass from Ray Lucas (Olindo Mare kick), 8:30. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:56.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 46-yard field goal, 1:39. Dolphins 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 5:23.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Eric Moulds 70-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 12:40. Bills 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:47.
  • MIA – Olindo Mare 42-yard field goal, 4:57. Tied 10–10. Drive: 13 plays, 46 yards, 7:43.
  • BUF – Nate Clements 29-yard interception return (Mike Hollis kick), 2:23. Bills 17–10.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 26-yard field goal, 4:16. Bills 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:32.

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 44-yard field goal, 1:12. Bills 23–10. Drive: 9 plays, 23 yards, 4:07.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 15/31, 182 yards, TD
  • MIA – Ray Lucas – 13/33, 165 yards, TD, 4 INT

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 22 rushes, 132 yards
  • MIA – Ricky Williams – 25 rushes, 97 yards

Top receivers

  • BUF – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 51 yards
  • MIA – James McKnight – 3 receptions, 42 yards

Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 8: Detroit Lions (2–4) at Buffalo Bills (4–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 14 0317
Bills 7 7 10024

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 27, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 47 °F or 8.3 °C
  • Game attendance: 72,710
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
  • TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts, Tim Green and Bob Trimble
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • BUF – Travis Henry 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:40. Bills 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 47 yards, 0:45.

Second quarter

  • DET – Az-Zahir Hakim 23-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 5:03. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:02.
  • DET – James Stewart 2-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 3:00. Lions 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:03.
  • BUF – Peerless Price 59-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 1:04. Tied 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:56.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 33-yard field goal, 11:09. Bills 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 2:44.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 2:02. Bills 24–14. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 4:38.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Jason Hanson 35-yard field goal, 3:07. Bills 24–17. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:54.

Top passers

  • DET – Joey Harrington – 20/42, 199 yards, TD, INT
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 21/36, 302 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • DET – James Stewart – 24 rushes, 83 yards, TD
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 19 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • DET – James Stewart – 8 receptions, 53 yards
  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 9 receptions, 123 yards

Week 9: vs. New England Patriots

Week 9: New England Patriots (3–4) at Buffalo Bills (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 10 14738
Bills 0 7 007

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: November 3, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 37 °F or 2.8 °C
  • Game attendance: 73,448
  • Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NE – Antowain Smith 13-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 12:54. Patriots 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:49.
  • NE – Adam Vinatieri 46-yard field goal, 3:49. Patriots 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 3:48.
  • BUF – Peerless Price 1-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 0:10. Patriots 17–7. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 3:39.

Third quarter

  • NE – Kevin Faulk 45-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 7:33. Patriots 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 4:08.
  • NE – Antowain Smith 2-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 0:54. Patriots 31–7. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 5:28.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Antowain Smith 14-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 6:52. Patriots 38–7. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:09.

Top passers

  • NE – Tom Brady – 22/26, 265 yards, 3 TD
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 28/45, 302 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NE – Antowain Smith – 29 rushes, 111 yards, TD
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 11 rushes, 53 yards

Top receivers

  • NE – David Patten – 6 receptions, 88 yards
  • BUF – Peerless Price – 9 receptions, 98 yards, TD

Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 11: Buffalo Bills (5–4) at Kansas City Chiefs (4–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 13 3016
Chiefs 7 3 0717

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 17, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 48 °F or 8.9 °C
  • Game attendance: 77,951
  • Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 23-yard field goal, 11:34. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 6:28.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 33-yard field goal, 8:42. Chiefs 7–6. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 2:52.
  • KC – Morten Andersen 38-yard field goal, 6:40. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:02
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 7-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 0:32. Bills 13–10. Drive: 15 plays, 85 yards, 6:08.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 27-yard field goal, 2:29. Bills 16–10. Drive: 15 plays, 71 yards, 8:14.

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Trent Green 9-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 4:53. Chiefs 17–16. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:23.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 24/36, 225 yards, TD, INT
  • KC – Trent Green – 12/20, 197 yards

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 24 rushes, 126 yards
  • KC – Priest Holmes – 31 rushes, 104 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BUF – Josh Reed – 4 receptions, 44 yards
  • KC – Eddie Kennison – 3 receptions, 93 yards

Week 12: at New York Jets

Week 12: Buffalo Bills (5–5) at New York Jets (5–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 0 10013
Jets 3 14 7731

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 24, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny, 50 °F or 10 °C
  • Game attendance: 78,745
  • Referee: Ron Blum (7)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Bonnie Bernstein
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 43-yard field goal, 8:31. Bills 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 55 yards, 6:34.
  • NYJ – John Hall 23-yard field goal, 3:20. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 5:32.

Second quarter

  • NYJ – LaMont Jordan 1-yard run (John Hall kick), 11:20. Jets 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:24.
  • NYJ – Curtis Martin 9-yard run (John Hall kick), 2:59. Jets 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:40.

Third quarter

  • NYJ – Laveranues Coles 11-yard pass from Chad Pennington (John Hall kick), 13:05. Jets 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 2:07.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 8:05. Jets 24–10. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 5:00.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 40-yard field goal, 1:41. Jets 24–13. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 4:44.

Fourth quarter

  • NYJ – Chad Pennington 1-yard run (John Hall kick), 9:55. Jets 31–13. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 6:52.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 21/33, 181 yards, 2 INT
  • NYJ – Chad Pennington – 15/24, 178 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 17 rushes, 83 yards, TD
  • NYJ – Curtis Martin – 21 rushes, 120 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BUF – Peerless Price – 6 receptions, 49 yards
  • NYJ – Laveranues Coles – 7 receptions, 78 yards, TD

Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 13: Miami Dolphins (7–4) at Buffalo Bills (5–6) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 14 0 7021
Bills 3 14 14738

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter

  • MIA – Ricky Williams 45-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 11:11. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 45 yards, 0:09.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 39-yard field goal, 6:01. Dolphins 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 5:10.
  • MIA – Jed Weaver 1-yard pass from Ray Lucas (Olindo Mare kick), 0:06. Dolphins 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:55.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:37. Dolphins 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:24.
  • BUF – Peerless Price 20-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 0:11. Bills 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 0:27.

Third quarter

  • MIA – Ricky Williams 55-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 5:33. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:28.
  • BUF – Peerless Price 73-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 4:35. Bills 24–21. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0;58.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 57-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 2:01. Bills 31–21. Drive: 1 play, 57 yards, 0:09.

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Travis Henry 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:30. Bills 38–21. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 4:19.

Top passers

  • MIA – Ray Lucas – 6/11, 40 yards, TD
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 15/27, 306 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • MIA – Ricky Williams – 27 carries, 228 yards, 2 TD
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 35 carries, 151 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • MIA – Jed Weaver – 2 receptions, 18 yards, TD
  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 5 receptions, 130 yards, TD

Week 14: at New England Patriots

Week 14: Buffalo Bills (6–6) at New England Patriots (7–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 10717
Patriots 17 3 0727

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: December 8, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 44 °F or 6.7 °C
  • Game attendance: 68,436
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Adam Vinatieri 39-yard field goal, 11:16. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:44.
  • NE – David Patten 10-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:35. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 4:31.
  • NE – Donald Hayes 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:14. Patriots 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:08.

Second quarter

  • NE – Adam Vinatieri 46-yard field goal, 2:31. Patriots 20–0. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 7:49.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 26-yard field goal, 7:46. Patriots 20–3. 13 plays, 72 yards, 7:14.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 12-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 4:15. Patriots 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 1:53.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Antowain Smith 4-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 10:06. Patriots 27–10. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 3:17.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 4-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 1:05. Patriots 27–17. Drive: 18 plays, 88 yards, 4:43.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 32/51, 328 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
  • NE – Tom Brady – 15/27, 183 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 15 rushes, 60 yards
  • NE – Antowain Smith – 17 rushes, 68 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BUF – Peerless Price – 9 receptions, 105 yards
  • NE – Deion Branch – 1 reception, 41 yards

Week 15: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 15: San Diego Chargers (8–5) at Buffalo Bills (6–7) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 0313
Bills 7 6 0720

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter

  • SD – Steve Christie 39-yard field goal, 6:49. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:31.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 4-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:13. Bills 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:36.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 42-yard field goal, 9:05. Bills 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:57.
  • SD – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 3:21. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 5:44.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 36-yard field goal, 1:08. Bills 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 2:13.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • SD – Steve Christie 53-yard field goal, 5:45. Tied 13–13. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:38.
  • BUF – Travis Henry 26-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 0:52. Bills 20–13. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

  • SD – Drew Brees – 13/24, 148 yards
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 11/33, 107 yards

Top rushers

  • SD – LaDainian Tomlinson – 28 rushes, 110 yards, TD
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 22 rushes, 144 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • SD – Tim Dwight – 5 receptions, 81 yards
  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 5 receptions, 61 yards

Week 16: at Green Bay Packers

Week 16: Buffalo Bills (7–7) at Green Bay Packers (11–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 000
Packers 0 3 0710

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 22, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Snow flurries, 27 °F or −2.8 °C
  • Game attendance: 64,106
  • Referee: Tom White (123)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross and Beasley Reece
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • GB – Ryan Longwell 33-yard field goal, 3:57. Packers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 37 yards, 4:15.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • GB – Donald Driver 11-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 7:23. Packers 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:30.

Top passers

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 18/36, 179 yards, 2 INT
  • GB – Brett Favre – 15/33, 114 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • BUF – Travis Henry – 20 rushes, 46 yards
  • GB – Ahman Green – 26 rushes, 116 yards

Top receivers

  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 5 receptions, 45 yards
  • GB – Donald Driver – 5 receptions, 52 yards, TD

Week 17: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 17: Cincinnati Bengals (2–13) at Buffalo Bills (7–8) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 3 069
Bills 6 14 7027

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 29, 2002
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 35 °F or 1.7 °C
  • Game attendance: 47,850
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • TV announcers (CBS (Blacked out locally)): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • BUF – Mike Hollis 32-yard field goal, 8:36. Bills 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:15.
  • BUF – Mike Hollis 25-yard field goal, 1:12. Bills 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 4, yards, 1:32.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe 7-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:25. Bills 13–0. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:15.
  • BUF – Eric Moulds 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 2:41. Bills 20–0. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 5:12.
  • CIN – Neil Rackers 19-yard field goal, 0:24. Bills 20–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 2:17.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Larry Centers 4-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 1:37. Bills 27–3. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:11.

Fourth quarter

  • CIN – Jon Kitna 6-yard run (run failed), 8:05. Bills 27–9. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 2:49.

Top passers

  • CIN – Jon Kitna – 19/35, 241 yards, 2 INT
  • BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 23/31, 231 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • CIN – Corey Dillon – 13 rushes, 53 yards
  • BUF – Travis Henry – 30 rushes, 80 yards

Top receivers

  • CIN – Chad Johnson – 6 receptions, 123 yards
  • BUF – Eric Moulds – 9 receptions, 75 yards, TD

References

  1. ↑ "Bledsoe shuffles off to Buffalo". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. April 22, 2002. p. C1.
  2. ↑ "A look back at Bills uniform changes". BuffaloBills.com. NFL Enterprises. November 11, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Bills Unveil New Uniforms". BuffaloBills.com (Press release). NFL Enterprises. June 8, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2002. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  4. ↑ "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ "10-Pack: 10 biggest first-round draft busts of the last 20 years". Archived from the original on February 6, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.