Two Bills Drive

Excited by his performance, and the stability he has provided the secondary since joining the team late last season, the Buffalo Bills have signed starting free safety Pierson Prioleau to a three-year contract extension. The extension is worth $4.465 million in so-called "new money."

‘Prioleau, who makes a base salary of $550,000 this season, is scheduled to make $750,000 next year, $1 million in 2004 and $1.25 million the following season.’

‘”This team is exciting when it comes down to crunch time,” Bills coach Gregg Williams said. “And I think that comes from our quarterback. He plays with an air about him. But you have to be exciting at the start and the middle of the ball game, too.”‘

Prioleau joined the Bills as an in-season free agent during the 2001 season and saw increased time as the season progressed. He kicked off the 2002 season with the second most total tackles on the team (6 total, 4 unassisted).

The Bills have played the Bears on eight occasions. Chicago leads the series 5-3 but the Bills are 3-1 all-time at home against the Bears. That includes a victory in the most recent game played in the series, a 20-3 Buffalo victory on 11/12/00 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The last Chicago victory at Buffalo was a 7-0 decision on 10/7/79.

"With our guys I have complete confidence that if they go to the right place they can get the job done physically. The thing that we need to do and what has to happen immediately is that we have to make sure that we have guys pointed in the right direction all the time. We are working toward that."

‘Fox will televise the game with Kenny Albert handling play-by-play and analysis from Tim Green.’

More photos of Sunday's 28-23 loss at Denver.

‘Hate to be picky, but the Bills are 1-2. They’ve passed the ball 90 times and run only 28 times in the last two games, and that is a statistic that doesn’t usually reflect a winning team.’

6) Kent Hull, Buffalo — Underrated and unappreciated, his line calls and heady blocking adjustments were a big factor in the success of the run-and-gun offense.

The Bills have no injuries to report. The Bears list eight players.

Power Poll Ratings from major sources.

ESPN (19) Only player with more passing attempts than Drew Bledsoe (129) is Tom Brady (132).

ESPN Chris Mortensen (15)

CBS (20) A nice effort at Denver. The schedule has not been kind to this young team.

TSN Pompei (20)

TSN War Room (19) Exciting Bills offense finally sees a Denver defense that know how to stop them

CNN/SI Dr Z (13) Drew Bledsoe was supposed to be immobile, but I like the way he operates against a rush. And the way he makes the right decisions in a hurry. I know, I keep writing good things about him every week, but I sure am in his corner.

CNN/SI Peter King (12) They’ll be in the playoff chase, seriously, in December.

An undrafted free agent in 1971, the University of Maryland star was contacted by several NFL teams, but chose to try his luck with the Bills because Hawkins, who had been on his college coaching staff, was now the linebackers coach in Buffalo.

‘"It’s frustrating, but I’m not concerned about it," Henry said. "Sometimes, those things happen. You just have to put it out of your mind and move on. I still have confidence in my ability and I think the team still believes in me, too."’

Chicago hasn’t allowed a tight end touchdown in 12 straight games. So, obviously, Riemersma is totally off limits in this game. If he finishes with two catches it will be the sign of a remarkable performance worthy of praise, song, and a movie adaptation.