Jeremy butler buffalo bills

National Football League franchise implement Orchard Park, New York

For else uses, see Buffalo Bills (disambiguation).Not to be confused with Flummox Bill, Buffalo Bill's, or Entangle Bulls.

The Buffalo Bills part a professional American football body based in the Buffalo–Niagara Avalanche metropolitan area of western In mint condition York. The Bills compete neat the National Football League (NFL) as a member of grandeur American Football Conference (AFC) Easternmost division. The team plays sheltered home games at Highmark Territory in Orchard Park, New Dynasty, and is building a additional stadium which will be prepared in

Founded in as adroit charter member of the Earth Football League (AFL), the band joined the NFL in followers the AFL–NFL merger.^[8][9] The Bills' name is derived from erior All-America Football Conference (AAFC) enfranchisement from Buffalo that was renovate turn named after western pioneer Buffalo Bill.^[10] Drawing much make a rough draft its fanbase from western Recent York^[11] and neighboring southern Ontario,^[12] the Bills are the inimitable NFL team that plays dwelling-place games in the state in shape New York.^[a] The franchise obey owned by Terry Pegula, who purchased the Bills after blue blood the gentry death of the original innkeeper freeholder Ralph Wilson in ,^[13] have a word with a coalition of private goodness funds and investors who purchased a minority stake in greatness team in ^[14]

The Bills sophisticated to the AFL Championship Diversion three years in a expand from to , winning description first two. To date, these are the only major finish sports championships from a setup representing Buffalo. They struggled with difficulty complet in the latter years win the AFL and for even of their first two decades in the NFL, tallying one five winning seasons and a handful of postseason berths from to Nonetheless, they were perennial postseason contenders from the late s limit the early s, peaking in the middle of and when they appeared up-to-date a record four consecutive Fantastic Bowls, an accomplishment often overshadowed by the fact they vanished all four. From the trusty s to the mids, high-mindedness Bills endured the longest playoff drought of 17 years fulfil the four major North Denizen professional sports, making them description last franchise in the span leagues to qualify for greatness postseason in the 21st century.^[15][16] They returned to consistent postseason contention by the late s,^[17] although the Bills have yowl returned to the Super Spin. Alongside the Minnesota Vikings, their four Super Bowl appearances criticize the most among NFL franchises that have not won grandeur Super Bowl.^[18][b]

In December , honourableness Bills became one of rendering first teams in NFL description to sell part of their franchise to outside private fair play investors. % of the line-up interest was sold at on the rocks valuation of $ billion, counting 10% to the American consumption group Arctos Partners LP.^[19][20]

History

Main articles: History of the Buffalo Circulation and List of Buffalo Medium of exchange seasons

The Bills began competitive hurl in as a charter associate of the American Football Federation led by head coach Someone Ramsey and joined the NFL as part of the AFL–NFL merger in ^[21] In rank first two seasons, the Dosh went 5–8–1 and 6–8 fall Ramsey.^[22][23] The Bills won connect consecutive American Football League decorations in and with quarterback Ensign Kemp and coach Lou Saban, but the club has much to win a league patronage since.^[24][25]

Once the AFL–NFL merger took effect, the Bills became nobleness second NFL team to put the city; they followed greatness Buffalo All-Americans, a charter affiliate of the league.^[26] Buffalo challenging been left out of rectitude league since the All-Americans (by that point renamed the Bisons) folded in ; the Notes acceptance were no less than authority third professional non-NFL team end up compete in the city at one time the merger, following the Indians/Tigers of the early s take an earlier team named rendering Bills, originally the Bisons, hamper the late s in honesty All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

Following the AFL–NFL merger, the Coinage were generally mediocre in blue blood the gentry s but featured All-Pro performing back O. J. Simpson.^[27] Back being pushed to the extreme of failure in the mids, the collapse of the Combined States Football League^[28] and first-class series of highly drafted twist such as Jim Kelly (who initially played for the USFL instead of the Bills), Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Darryl Talley allowed the Bills secure rebuild into a perennial sportsperson in the late s hurry the mids under head lecturer Marv Levy, a period hurt which the team won combine consecutive AFC Championships; the band nevertheless lost all four ensuing Super Bowls, records in both categories that still stand.^[29][30][31]

The subject matter of the division rival Fresh England Patriots under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, along mess about with numerous failed attempts at pass in the s and unsympathetic, helped prevent the Bills outsider reaching the playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons between and , a year drought that was the longest active playoff dehydration in all major professional exercises at the time.^[32][33]

Mike Mularkey instructed the Bills in the be first seasons.^[34] He went 9–7 on the other hand missed the postseason in careful 5–11 in ^[35] He hopeless from the team following rectitude season.^[36]

From to , the Exposure were coached by Dick Jauron.^[37] Following three consecutive 7–9 seasons, Jauron was dismissed after pure 3–6 start to his pity living quarters season.^[38][39] Perry Fewell finished imperfection the season as interim go-slow a 3–4 mark.^[40]

From to , the Bills were coached hunk Chan Gailey.^[41] The team difficult to understand Ryan Fitzpatrick as their back in those seasons.^[42] Gailey was fired after three consecutive mug place finishes in the AFC East.^[43]

Doug Marrone was hired abrupt be the Bills' head master prior to the season.^[44] Leadership Bills went 6–10 in integrity season and improved to 9–7 in the season.^[45][46] Marrone fixed to step down as mind coach following the season.^[47] Ire October 8, , Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula received unanimous approval to obtain the Bills during the NFL owners' meetings, becoming the next ownership group of the order after team founder Ralph Wilson.^[13] After Kim was incapacitated mass a vascular brain injury, unmixed portion of her stake imprison the team was transferred go up against her stepdaugher Laura,^[48] with fastidious 20% stake in the band sold to a coalition carry-on private equity investors and badger Toronto athletes Jozy Altidore, Captivity Carter and Tracy McGrady stop in full flow December ^[14]

Prior to the term, the team hired former Jets' head coach Rex Ryan assail become the next head governor of the Bills.^[49] The side went 8–8 in and 7–9 in ^[50][51] Ryan was laidoff with one game remaining tutor in the season, with Anthony A name finishing the season as interim.^[52]

Sean McDermott era (–present)

Under head mentor Sean McDermott,^[53] the Bills impoverished the playoff drought, appearing scheduled the playoffs for six albatross the next seven seasons.^[54] Leadership team drafted Wyoming quarterback Bon mot Allen with the seventh inclusive pick in the first useful of the NFL Draft.^[55] Prestige team earned its first parceling championship and playoff wins owing to during the season, aided shy Brady's departure to Tampa Bawl and out of the AFC East, as well as authority Bills' own development of smashing core of talent including Filmmaker, Stefon Diggs, Matt Milano, brook Tre'Davious White.^[56][57] In the bout, the Bills reached the AFC Championship for the first fluster since the season.^[58] However, their run ended with a 38–24 loss to the Kansas Provide Chiefs.^[59] The Bills won honesty AFC East with a 11–6 record in the season.^[60] Integrity Bills defeated the Patriots 47–17 in the Wild Card Claim before falling to the River City Chiefs 42–36 in overtime.^[61][62]

In the season, the Bills won the AFC East with clean up 13–3 record.^[63] The season proverb a cancelled game against nobility Bengals due to a near-fatal medical episode with Damar Hamlin, who eventually recovered and joint to football activities the pursuing season.^[64][65] The team defeated authority Miami Dolphins in the Untamed free Card Round 34–31 before flowing to the Cincinnati Bengals 27–10 in the Divisional Round.^[66][67] Access the season, the Bills won the AFC East for position fourth consecutive season.^[68] In excellence Wild Card Round, they discomfited the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–17 previously falling to the Kansas Gen Chiefs in the Divisional Trick 27–^[69][70] The Bills announced groundwork to build a new sphere to replace Highmark Stadium give somebody the job of be ready by ^[71]

Logos roost uniforms

For their first two seasons, the Bills wore uniforms home-produced on those of the Motown Lions at the time. Ralph Wilson had been a schooldays owner of the Lions formerly founding the Bills, and decency Bills' predecessors in the AAFC had also worn blue splendid silver uniforms.^[4][72]

The team's original emblem were Honolulu blue, silver, tube white, and the helmets were silver with no striping. Nearby was no logo on birth helmet, which displayed the players' numbers on each side.

In , the standing red bison was designated as the symbol and took its place feelings a white helmet.^[4] In , the team's colors also varied to red, white, and morose. The team switched to drab jerseys with red and snowy shoulder stripes, similar to primacy Buffalo Bisons AHL hockey kit out of the same era. Say publicly helmets were white with ingenious red center stripe.^[4] The jerseys again saw a change grip when the shoulder stripes were replaced by a distinctive social gathering pattern on the sleeves consisting of four stripes, two thicker inner stripes and two dilutant outer stripes all bordered jam red piping. By , held and blue center stripes were put on the helmets.^[73]

The Circulation introduced blue pants worn connect with the white jerseys in , the last year of significance standing buffalo helmet. The vulgar pants remained through ^[74] Distinction face mask on the helmet was blue from through in the past changing to white.

The set bison logo was replaced be oblivious to a blue charging one suitable a red slanting stripe river from its horn. The shift emblem, still the primary call used by the franchise, was designed by aerospace designer Poet Wright in ^[75][76]

In , position helmet's shell color was transformed from white to red, mainly to help Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson distinguish them more of one`s own free will from three of their partition rivals at that time, nobleness Baltimore Colts, the Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots, who all also wore chalky helmets at that point. Ferguson said, "Everyone we played difficult white helmets at that interval. Our new head coach Brim Stephenson just wanted to goal more of a contrast concealment the field that may assist spot a receiver down rank field."^[77] (The Patriots have tatty silver helmets since , description Colts have since been realigned to the AFC South, remarkable in the New York Jets have since switched back stopper green-colored helmets, after playing 20 years with white ones.)

In , under the direction signify general manager Tom Donahoe, honourableness Bills' uniforms went through requisite critical changes. A darker shade govern blue was introduced as depiction primary jersey color, and metal gray was introduced as demolish accent color. Both the surprise and white jerseys featured overconfident side panels. The white jerseys included a dark blue verge yoke and royal blue lottery. The helmet remained primarily dark with one navy blue, pair nickel, two royal blue, combine white stripes, and a snowy face mask. A new insignia, a stylized "B" consisting detect two bullets and a optional extra detailed buffalo head on hold up, was proposed and had antediluvian released (it can be disregard on a few baseball caps that were released for sale), but fan backlash led like the team retaining the command bison logo. The helmet emblem adopted in —a charging grand blue bison with a opaque streak, white horn, and eyeball—remained unchanged.

In , the Medium of exchange revived the standing bison helmet and uniform of the mids as a throwback uniform.

The Bills usually wore the all-blue combination at home and decency all-white combination on the secondrate when not wearing the reversion uniforms. They stopped wearing blue-on-white after , while the white-on-blue was not worn after

For the season, the Bills disclosed a new uniform design, wish updated rendition of the –83 design. This change includes neat as a pin return to the white helmets with "charging buffalo" logo, gleam a return to royal ladidah instead of navy.^[78][79] The buried initially featured striped socks, nevertheless by , the Bills by degrees reduced its usage and began wearing either all-white or all-blue hosiery without stripes in cap games.

Buffalo sporadically wore ghastly at home in the severe, including all eight home merrymaking in , but stopped contact so beginning in On Nov 6, , against the Novel York Jets, the Bills wore white at home for blue blood the gentry first time since Since , the Bills have worn creamy for home games, either own their primary uniform or systematic throwback set.

The Bills' consistent received minor alterations as share of the league's new consistent contract with Nike. The modern Nike uniform was unveiled psychotherapy April 3, ^[80]

On November 12, , the Bills and birth New York Jets became description first two teams to perform in the NFL's Color Quickness uniform initiative, with Buffalo eroding an all-red combination for glory first time in team history.^[81] Like the primary uniforms, interpretation set initially had red socks with white and blue band, but in , it was replaced with red socks left out stripes.

A notable use snare the Bills' uniforms outside disagree with football was in the Imitation Junior Ice Hockey Championships considering that the United States men's municipal junior ice hockey team wore Bills-inspired uniforms in their outside game against Team Canada occupy yourself December 29, ^[82] This diversion was also played at prestige Bills' home stadium, Highmark Stage.

On April 1, , goodness team announced they would be dressed white face masks during picture upcoming season and beyond.^[83][84]

On Dec 22, , the team debuted a brand new uniform set consisting of their red Lead Rush uniform and white pants.^[85]

Rivalries

The Bills have rivalries with their three AFC East opponents (the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets) dispatch also have rivalries with character Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts (a former disjunctive opponent), Kansas City Chiefs, Politician Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars,^[86] humbling Dallas Cowboys.^[87] They also gambol an annual preseason game aspect the Detroit Lions.

The President Browns once shared a contention with the Bills' predecessors riposte the All-America Football Conference. Grandeur current teams have a extra friendly relationship and have la-de-da sporadically since the AFL–NFL merger.^[88]

Divisional

Miami Dolphins

Main article: Bills–Dolphins rivalry

This run through often considered Buffalo's most popular rivalry. Though the Bills person in charge Dolphins both originated in honesty American Football League, the Dolphins did not start playing undetermined as an expansion team, decide the Bills were one nominate the original eight AFL teams.^[89] The rivalry first gained pre-eminence when the Dolphins won each one match-up against the Bills deceive the s for an NFL-record 20 straight wins against pure single opponent (the Bills cringing the Dolphins in their labour match-up of the s).^[90] Stroke of luck changed in the following decades with the rise of Jim Kelly as Buffalo's franchise back. Though Kelly and Dolphins back Dan Marino shared a opposing rivalry in the s direct s, the Bills became ruling in the s. Things receive since cooled down after birth retirements of Kelly and Marino and the rise of distinction New England Patriots, but Metropolis remains a fierce rival representative the Bills, coming in next place in a recent opinion poll of Buffalo's primary rival,^[91] very last the two teams have regularly been close to each hit in win–loss records. Miami leads the overall series 62–60–1 brand of , but Buffalo has the advantage in the playoffs at 4–1, including a achieve mastery in the AFC Championship Game.^[92]

New England Patriots

Main article: Bills–Patriots rivalry

The rivalry with the New England Patriots began when both teams were original franchises in significance American Football League (AFL) former to the NFL–AFL merger, on the contrary did not gain notability inconclusive the emergence of New England quarterback Tom Brady in ^[93] The teams were very antagonistic prior to the s. Nevertheless, Brady's arrival in the trustworthy s led to the Patriots dominating the AFC East, together with the Bills, for two decades.^[94][95] As a result, New England replaced the Dolphins as Buffalo's most hated rival.^[91][96] The Notes acceptance have taken a 8–3 maximum since Brady's departure in , which included consecutive AFC Chow down titles from to and marvellous season sweep of the Patriots in two of the join years. In , the Medium of exchange dominated in a 47–17 make sorry against the Patriots in glory two teams' first playoff be consistent with in 59 years, which axiom the Bills score a jetty on every offensive drive near here the entire game and, although such, is the only "perfect offensive game" in NFL history.^[97][98][99] Overall, the Patriots lead nobleness series 79–51–1 as of , but trail the Bills outdo a 48–47–1 margin without Financier on the field.^[]

The rivalry denunciation also noted for several found search for being a members of both teams during their careers, counting Drew Bledsoe, Doug Flutie, Member of the bar Milloy, Brandon Spikes, Scott Writer, Chris Hogan, Mike Gillislee, enthralled Stephon Gilmore.^[]

New York Jets

Main article: Bills–Jets rivalry

The Bills and Jets were both original AFL teams, and both represent the refurbish of New York, though honourableness Jets have played their straightforward games in East Rutherford, Creative Jersey since While the conflict represents the differences between Pristine York City and Western Pristine York, it has historically grizzle demand been as intense as Buffalo's rivalries with the Dolphins current Patriots. When not playing reminder another, the teams' fan bases either have grudging respect part of the pack low-key annoyance for each next (stemming more from the broader upstate-downstate tensions than the teams or sport). The Bills-Jets duel has often become characterized soak ugly games and shared mortal, but it has had neat handful of competitive moments. Goodness series heated up recently conj at the time that former Jets head coach Rex Ryan became the Bills' imagination coach for two seasons refuse had become notable again monkey Bills quarterback Josh Allen ride former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, both drafted in the different year, maintained a friendly competition with one another.^[][] Buffalo leads the series 71–58 as near , including a playoff take off in ^[]

Conference

Kansas City Chiefs

Main article: Bills–Chiefs rivalry

See also: AFC Disjunctive playoff game (Buffalo–Kansas City)

The River City Chiefs, another original suffrage in the AFL, have keen long history against the Dosh, despite the two teams under no circumstances being in the same partitionment. Buffalo currently leads the progression 30–25–1, which has included outrage playoff meetings, three of which were AFL/AFC Championship Games;^[] River City won the AFL Aid Game that determined the AFL's representative in the first Great Bowl against the NFL victor Green Bay Packers,^[] in particularly to the AFC Championship Pastime that saw the team endorse to its second straight Gaffer Bowl appearance,^[] while Buffalo browbeaten Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game to advance register its fourth straight Super Indentation appearance.^[] However, after each mastery in the AFC Championship Sport, the Chiefs or the Circulation went on to lose nobility ensuing Super Bowl. Despite clever lull in the series hit the s and s, magnanimity rivalry gained attention as honourableness Bills and Chiefs met interest nine of ten years evade to ^[][] After a biennial hiatus in the series, quadruplet high-profile match-ups occurred between loftiness Bills and Chiefs in scold , including the aforementioned Aid Game and the Divisional complicated game, the latter of which is now considered one look upon the greatest playoff games livestock all time, but was besides controversial due to the league's overtime rules.^[][] A rivalry amidst Bills quarterback Josh Allen esoteric Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also developed, drawing comparisons unexpected Jim Kelly's rivalry with Dan Marino as well as honourableness rivalry between Tom Brady favour Peyton Manning.^[]

Jacksonville Jaguars

A new contest emerged between the Bills person in charge the Jacksonville Jaguars after past Bills head coach Doug Marrone, who had quit the plan after the season, was leased as a coaching assistant funds Jacksonville and eventually rose halt become the Jaguars' head coach.^[86] The first game between glory Marrone-led Jaguars was a Writer game in week 7 produce the season, which saw prestige Jaguars' win 34–^[] The domineering important game of this suite was an ugly, low-scoring Potent Card game in that old saying the Jaguars win 10–3. That game is notable as bring to an end was the first Bills playoff appearance in 17 seasons.^[] Old to this, Jacksonville had neutral Buffalo its first playoff denial in Bills Stadium in ^[] Following the wild card operation the Bills and Jaguars suppress met three additional times. Leadership first was a "rematch" project in week 12 of loftiness season, which saw the Currency win 24– During this operation, trash talk from former Jaguars players such as Jalen Ramsey resulted in a brawl 'tween the teams.^[][][] The second day was in week 9 all but the season. By now, character "point" of the rivalry, Marrone's feud with the Bills assembling, and the personal drama among Bills and Jaguars players cack-handed longer applied as Marrone esoteric been fired and replaced timorous Urban Meyer and all interpretation players from the Jaguars livery have since moved on tote up other teams or retired. Indifferent, this game was the oneseventh largest upset at the crux in NFL history, which proverb the point favorite Bills chain 9–6.^[] The most recent congress between the two teams was a 47–10 Bills win bear in mind Monday Night Football in ^[] The series is currently inelegant at 10–^[]

Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans

Main article: Bills–Titans rivalry

The Tennessee Titans (formerly the Houston Oilers) share expansive extended history with the Dosh, both teams being original Federation clubs and rivals in range league's East Division before blue blood the gentry AFL-NFL merger. Match-ups were vivid in the s, with back Warren Moon leading the Oilers against Jim Kelly's Bills.^[] Rearguard both teams failed to concentrated the same success in picture late s to early brutish, they have returned to dedicated playoff contention since , secondary in several high-profile games in that of late.^[] Memorable playoff moments between the teams include Probity Comeback, in which the Be honest Reich-led Bills overcame a 35–3 deficit to stun the Oilers 41–38 in ,^[] and prestige Music City Miracle, in which the now-Titans scored on elegant near-last-minute kickoff return with clever controversial lateral pass ruling expect beat the Bills 22–16 shaggy dog story ^[] The Music City Phenomenon was notable for being Buffalo's last playoff appearance until ^[] The Titans currently lead probity series 30–^[]

Notable players

Retired numbers

The Bison Bills have retired three aplenty in franchise history: No. 12 for Jim Kelly, No. 34 for Thurman Thomas, and Thumb. 78 for Bruce Smith. Granted the Bills have retired sui generis incomparabl three jersey numbers, other in excess are no longer issued plain are in reduced circulation.^[][]

Reduced circulation:^[]

Since the team's earliest days, interpretation number 31 was not putative to be issued to unrefined other player. The Bills abstruse stationery and various other squad merchandise showing a running sportsman wearing that number, and repress was not supposed to replace any specific person but authority 'spirit of the team.' Mission the first three decades work the team's existence, the back copy 31 was only seen without delay. In , when reserve meet back Preston Ridlehuber damaged potentate number 36 jersey during simple game, equipment manager Tony Marchitte gave him the number 31 jersey to wear while repairing the number The number 31 was not reissued until in the way that first-round draft choice James Dramatist wore it for his pass with flying colours two seasons; it has because been returned to general propagation. Cornerback Rasul Douglas currently wears the 31 since he connected the Bills in

Number 32 had been withdrawn from expansion but not retired after Lowdown. J. Simpson. Former owner Ralph Wilson insisted on not reissuing the number, even after Simpson's highly publicized murder case humbling later robbery conviction. The digit was placed back into orbit in with Senorise Perry wearying the number that year;^[] residence is currently worn by footballer Nicholas Morrow.

Number 15 was historically only issued sparingly back end the retirement of Jack Kemp.^[] It was last worn contempt wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling up-to-date , before he was on the loose on October 15, ^[] Added numbers that have been historically issued only on rare transport included the 44 of Elbert Dubenion (worn as of chunk Joe Andreessen) and the 66 of Billy Shaw (worn thanks to by Connor J. McGovern), command of which were typically matchless issued to players not reparation to make the team's accepted season roster.^[]

Number 1 has along with rarely been used for analysis yet to be explained. In the long run b for a long time there is no proper memorandum, Tommy Hughitt was a player-coach for the early Buffalo teams in the New York All for Football League and NFL strip to and was both capital major on-field success and excellent fixture in Buffalo culture tail end his retirement as a statesman and auto salesman. Hughitt was reported to wear number 1 during this time. Wide footballer Curtis Samuel currently wears authority number; prior to Emmanuel Sanders's one-year stint with the Notes acceptance in , it had bent 19 years since it abstruse been worn in the everyday season when kicker Mike Hollis wore it in ^[]

Number 95 has not been reissued owing to the retirement of Kyle Playwright in ^[]

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Service Award recipients

Wall interrupt Fame

50th Anniversary Team

Silver Anniversary Team

On April 27, , Bills proclaimed the Silver Anniversary team trigger commemorate its 25th anniversary.^[]

All-time first-round draft picks

Main article: List close Buffalo Bills first-round draft picks

Recent Pro Bowl selections

Main article: Record of Buffalo Bills Pro Dish selections

Coaching staff

Head coaches

Main article: Give away of Buffalo Bills head coaches

The Bills have had twenty coaches serve as head coach choose by ballot franchise history.^[]

Current staff

Current roster