ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Drew Bledsoe made his NFL debut in Buffalo in 1993. Bledsoe's NFL career was reborn in Buffalo on Sunday, nine years later.

Only one problem -- Bledsoe's team didn't win.

It was an unusually warm day in upstate New York, made even warmer by the welcome Bledsoe received from Bills fans. Scores of them sported brand new Bledsoe jerseys. And his days as the team's nemesis with division rival New England seemed like a distant memory.

	Bledsoe threw one TD pass in his Bills debut.

"We finally have a QB," said Walter Pryzpasniak, who had camped out in the parking lot of Ralph Wilson Stadium since Wednesday. "We're ready to rock and roll."

So were over 72,000 other fans who packed the house for the season opener. Expectations of the Bills may not be high around the country, but they're sky-high here, despite last year's 3-13 season. The Bills have 26 new players on their roster, a new offensive coordinator (Kevin Gilbride), even new uniforms -- but the new man under center is the real reason for the optimistic outlook.

Bledsoe, the team's first franchise quarterback since Jim Kelly, received a rousing ovation when he was the last Bill introduced to the crowd. "I tried not to get too excited," Bledsoe said. "But I was fired up."

The Bills won the coin toss, sending fans into a further frenzy because they wouldn't have to wait to see their new star. And Bledsoe didn't have to wait long to receive one of those body blows he got used to taking in his final years with the Patriots. On the second play from scrimmage, Jets defensive tackle Josh Evans went unblocked and leveled him with a vicious hit.

Bledsoe recovered to lead Buffalo to a field goal. But he got his biggest cheer on that opening drive after a reverse hand-off to wideout Peerless Price. The Bills lost seven yards on the play -- but Bledsoe delivered a crushing block on Jets nose tackle Jason Ferguson that ignited the crowd, the type of play that will endear Bledsoe to his new city quickly. "That's kind of a dream shot for a quarterback," Bledsoe said.

Throughout the game, Drew's crew fed off their new leader. He stood in the pocket time and time again, taking hard hits and bouncing right back up. After completions he would sprint down the field, slap "five" with the receiver, and then beckon his other teammates to run after him. And he made play after play, finishing 26-of-39 for 271 yards.

"It was great to see Drew make some big plays," said Bills coach Gregg Williams. "He kept us in the ball game."

	“	I tried not to get too excited. But I was fired up. ”
		— QB Drew Bledsoe, on making his Bills debut

The crowd, more accustomed to booing a year ago, chanted a similar-sounding "Drew" several times during the game. And Bledsoe was clearly enjoying himself out there, in his first start in almost a year. Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, who knocked Bledsoe out in Week 2 last season, and effectively out of New England, had him wrapped up on one play in the second half, but Bledsoe still found a way to fire a completion on the play. That brought a huge smile to his face.

The Jets hung tough. With 4:47 to play, the Bills found themselves down 31-24 -- exactly the kind of situation Bledsoe excels in (he has 18 fourth-quarter comebacks in his career). Bledsoe came through on a 4th-and-2, with a 14-yard completion to Price. Then it all came down to 4th-and-9 from the Jets' 29-yard-line, with 34 seconds to play. Bledsoe called the same play on which he threw his first interception earlier in the game. But this time he pump-faked, and found Eric Moulds in the end zone for a game-tying touchdown.

That's where Bledsoe's game ended -- with the crowd going wild, embracing their new hero. Nevermind that Chad Morton took the opening kickoff of overtime and ran 96 yards for the win, Bledsoe delivered.

"He is a true leader," said Bills left guard Ruben Brown. "I'm just so glad he's here."

Welcome home Drew.

Kieran Darcy covers the NFL for ESPN The Magazine.