57th season in franchise history
The 2016 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 57th overall season as a football team, 47th in the National Football League (NFL), fourth under leadership of general manager Doug Whaley and second under head coach Rex Ryan. The Bills hoped to improve on their 8β8 record from 2015, the team's first since 2002, but a 34β31 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 eliminated the Bills from playoff contention for a 17th season in a row, extending the longest active drought among all four North American major professional sports leagues. It would be Ryan's final season as head coach of the team, as he and his brother, Rob, were fired with one game remaining in the regular season.
Offseason
Roster changes
Signings
Position |
Player |
2015 Team |
Date signed |
Notes
|
Source
|
RB |
Mike Gillislee |
Buffalo Bills |
January 4, 2016 |
1-year extension/$600,000
|
|
RB |
James Wilder, Jr. |
Cincinnati Bengals |
January 20, 2016 |
1 year/$525,000 (Reserve/Future)
|
|
RB |
Reggie Bush |
San Francisco 49ers |
August 1, 2016 |
1 year/$3 million
|
|
TE |
Jim Dray |
Cleveland Browns |
March 16, 2016 |
1 year/$760,000
|
|
WR |
Greg Salas |
Buffalo Bills |
January 4, 2016 |
1-year extension/$600,000
|
|
WR |
Leonard Hankerson |
Buffalo Bills |
April 4, 2016 |
1 year/$840,000
|
|
WR |
Kain Colter |
Minnesota Vikings |
August 1, 2016 |
1 year/$450,000
|
|
OG |
Richie Incognito |
Buffalo Bills |
March 8, 2016 |
3-year extension/$15.75 million
|
|
OG |
Fernando Velasco |
Carolina Panthers |
April 7, 2016 |
1 year/$965,000
|
|
OT |
Jordan Mills |
Buffalo Bills |
March 30, 2016 |
1 year tender/$1.67 million
|
|
OT |
Chris Martin |
Miami Dolphins |
June 13, 2016 |
1 year/$525,000
|
|
OT |
Cordy Glenn |
Buffalo Bills |
May 3, 2016 |
5-year extension/$65 million
|
|
OT |
Justin Renfrow |
San Francisco 49ers |
June 17, 2016 |
1 year/$450,000
|
|
DT |
Corbin Bryant |
Buffalo Bills |
March 7, 2016 |
1 year tender/$1.67 million
|
|
DT |
Casey Walker |
Dallas Cowboys |
July 30, 2016 |
1 year/$525,000
|
|
LB |
Zach Brown |
Tennessee Titans |
April 4, 2016 |
1 year/$1.25 million
|
|
LB |
Lorenzo Alexander |
Oakland Raiders |
April 13, 2016 |
1 year/$885,000
|
|
CB |
Mario Butler |
Buffalo Bills |
January 4, 2016 |
1-year extension/$600,000
|
|
CB/KR |
Javier Arenas |
New York Jets |
February 3, 2016 |
1 year/$600,000 (Reserve/Future)
|
|
CB |
Corey White |
Arizona Cardinals |
April 4, 2016 |
1 year/$840,000
|
|
CB |
Sterling Moore |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
April 5, 2016 |
1 year/$840,000
|
|
SS |
Robert Blanton |
Minnesota Vikings |
March 18, 2016 |
1 year/$840,000
|
|
SS |
Colt Anderson |
Indianapolis Colts |
April 13, 2016 |
1 year/$840,000
|
|
P |
Colton Schmidt |
Buffalo Bills |
January 4, 2016 |
1-year extension/$600,000
|
|
WR |
Percy Harvin |
Buffalo Bills |
November 1, 2016 |
|
|
Free agents lost
Cuts
Position
|
Player
|
Date
|
Source
|
RB |
Boobie Dixon |
March 1, 2016
|
|
WR |
Davonte Allen |
August 1, 2016
|
|
TE |
MarQueis Gray |
March 1, 2016
|
|
TE |
Jacob Maxwell |
April 29, 2016
|
|
T |
Tyson Chandler |
April 15, 2016
|
|
T |
Keith Lumpkin |
June 13, 2016
|
|
G |
Kraig Urbik |
March 1, 2016
|
|
C |
Ronald Patrick |
May 2, 2016
|
|
DE |
Mario Williams |
March 1, 2016
|
|
DE |
Cedric Reed |
July 30, 2016
|
|
DE |
Claudell Louis |
June 13, 2016
|
|
DE |
Jarius Wynn |
May 2, 2016
|
|
LB |
Tony Steward |
April 19, 2016
|
|
CB |
Leodis McKelvin |
March 4, 2016
|
|
CB |
Cam Thomas |
April 18, 2016
|
|
CB |
Julian Whigham |
June 9, 2016
|
|
CB |
Merrill Noel |
May 2, 2016
|
|
S |
Phillip Thomas |
June 17, 2016
|
|
K |
Marshall Morgan |
August 1, 2016
|
|
Retirements
Draft
Pre-Draft
Prior to the draft, the Bills held visits for 47 players; 8 had previous visits, 23 players visited during the NFL Scouting Combine, 2 at the EastβWest Shrine Game, 19 had private visits, and 3 had private workouts.
Previously, the Bills traded their 2016 seventh-round selection (240th overall) and their 2015 fifth-round selection (137th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for quarterback Matt Cassel and the Vikings' 2015 sixth-round selection (188th overall).
Day-of Activity
The Bills traded their 2016 second-round pick (49th overall) and fourth-round pick (117th overall) to the Chicago Bears in return for Chicago's 2016 second-round pick (41st overall).
Undrafted free agents
All undrafted free agents were signed after the 2016 NFL draft concluded on April 30 unless otherwise noted.
Staff
On January 10, 2016, one week after the 2015 season ended, Doug Whaley signed a three-year contract extension to remain the Bills general manager. That same day, it was announced that Ryan had hired his twin brother, Rob, to the Bills coaching staff to serve as an assistant head coach and will also work with the defense. Three days later, Ryan hired former NFL standout Ed Reed to be an assistant defensive backs coach.
On January 20, 2016, the Bills promoted Kathryn Smith to special teams quality control coach, making her the first female full-time coach in NFL history. On September 16, 2016, less than 24 hours after losing 37β31 to the New York Jets in their home opener in a game in which the defense failed to stop Jets running back Matt Forte, instead of firing defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, Ryan pretty much sealed his own fate by firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman and promoting running backs coach Anthony Lynn to the position.
Lynn would later be promoted to interim head coach on December 27, 2016, when the Ryan brothers were fired after the 34β31 overtime loss to the Dolphins eliminated the team from the playoffs.
Staff
2016 Buffalo Bills staff
|
Front office
- Owner/CEO β Terry Pegula
- Owner β Kim Pegula
- President β Russ Brandon
- General manager β Doug Whaley
- Senior vice president of football administration β Jim Overdorf
- Director of football administration β Don Purdy
- Director of football operations β Kevin Meganck
- Director of analytics β Michael Lyons
- Director of player personnel β Jim Monos
- Player personnel advisor β Kelvin Fisher
- Director of pro personnel β Rob Hanrahan
- Special assistant β Ron Hughes
- Special assistant β Buddy Nix
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
|
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Head strength and conditioning β Eric Ciano
- Assistant head strength and conditioning β Hal Luther
- Strength and conditioning assistant β Jason Oszvart
- Strength and conditioning assistant β Dan Liburd
- Strength and conditioning assistant β Mark Loecher
|
Final roster
2016 Buffalo Bills final roster
|
|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
|
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
53 active, 18 inactive, 10 practice squad
|
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens
Game information
|
First quarter
- BAL β Justin Tucker 50-yard field goal, 0:35. Ravens 3β0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:47.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- BAL β Justin Tucker 37-yard field goal, 5:39. Ravens 13β7. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 5:59.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Week 2: vs. New York Jets
Game information
|
First quarter
- NYJ β Nick Folk 28-yard field goal, 6:41. Jets 3β0. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 8:19.
- BUF β Marquise Goodwin 84-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 5:16. Bills 7β3. Drive: 3 plays, 82 yards, 1:25.
- NYJ β Nick Folk 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 7β6. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:16.
Second quarter
- NYJ β Matt Forte 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 11:07. Jets 13β7. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:15.
- NYJ β Eric Decker 5-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Nick Folk kick), 3:53. Jets 20β7. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:54.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 39-yard field goal, 0:05. Jets 20β10. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 3:48.
Third quarter
- BUF β Greg Salas 71-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 14:09. Jets 20β17. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:51.
- BUF β Nickell Robey-Coleman 36-yard fumble return (Dan Carpenter kick), 11:15. Bills 24β20.
- NYJ β Matt Forte 3-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 2:12. Jets 27β24. Drive: 12 plays, 84 yards, 6:27.
Fourth quarter
- NYJ β Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 10:40. Jets 30β24. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:12.
- NYJ β Matt Forte 12-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 4:02. Jets 37β24. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 3:01.
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 18-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:17. Jets 37β31. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 2:45.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
The Bills saw the return of their red Color Rush uniforms from 2015 in this game. With the loss, not only did the Bills drop to 0β2, but head coach Rex Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman, promoting running backs coach Anthony Lynn to offensive coordinator the next day. They also lost wide receiver Greg Salas for the season to a groin injury and lost wide receiver Sammy Watkins for several weeks to a foot injury.
Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Three: Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals |
0 |
7 |
6 | 5 | 18 |
Bills |
10 |
7 |
13 | 3 | 33 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
Game information
|
First quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 19-yard field goal, 3:29. Bills 3β0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:51.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 24-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:55. Bills 10β0. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:30.
Second quarter
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 5-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:25. Bills 17β0. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:51.
- ARI β David Johnson 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:05. Bills 17β7. Drive: 17 plays, 84 yards, 9:20.
Third quarter
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor 20-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 10:31. Bills 23β7. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:49.
- BUF β Aaron Williams 53-yard fumble return (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:25. Bills 30β7.
- ARI β David Johnson 22-yard run (pass failed), 0:12. Bills 30β13. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:13.
Fourth quarter
- ARI β Chandler Catanzaro 60-yard field goal, 10:36. Bills 30β16. Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 2:19.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 45-yard field goal, 4:48. Bills 33β16. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:42.
- ARI β LeSean McCoy tackled in the end zone by Corey Peters for a safety, 3:04. Bills 33β18.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, the Bills improved to 1β2 in Lynn's first game as offensive coordinator.
Week 4: at New England Patriots
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 34-yard field goal, 14:49. Bills 10β0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 3:58.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 43-yard field goal, 7:46. Bills 13β0. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 4:40.
Third quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 44-yard field goal, 0:28. Bills 16β0. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 4:27.
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor β 27/39, 246 yards, TD
- NE β Jacoby Brissett β 17/27, 205 yards
Top rushers
- BUF β LeSean McCoy β 19 rushes, 70 yards
- NE β LeGarrette Blount β 13 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, not only did the Bills improve to 2β2, but Ryan got his first career regular season victory at Gillette Stadium (he was 0β7 as head coach entering the game, including six straight losses as New York Jets head coach).
Week 5: at Los Angeles Rams
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 5-yard run (kick blocked), 13:59. Bills 13β3. Drive: 2 plays, 63 yards, 1:01.
- LA β Greg Zuerlein 32-yard field goal, 7:46. Bills 13β6. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:33.
- LA β Todd Gurley 1-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 1:56. Tied 13β13. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:39.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 16β13. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 1:56.
Third quarter
- LA β Greg Zuerlein 54-yard field goal, 8:05. Tied 16β16. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 5:13.
- BUF β Nickell Robey-Coleman 41-yard interception return (Dan Carpenter kick), 3:54. Bills 23β16.
Fourth quarter
- LA β Greg Zuerlein 22-yard field goal, 5:51. Bills 23β19. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 8:16.
- BUF β Marquise Goodwin 6-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:37. Bills 30β19. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:04.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, the Bills improve to 3β2 and their first three-game winning streak since 2011 (the team started that season 3β0).
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Six: San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
49ers |
3 |
10 |
0 | 3 | 16 |
Bills |
7 |
10 |
7 | 21 | 45 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
Game information
|
First quarter
- SF β Phil Dawson 33-yard field goal, 5:43. 49ers 3β0. Drive: 7 plays, 13 yards, 3:53.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 4-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:14. Bills 7β3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:29.
Second quarter
- SF β Torrey Smith 53-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 13:56. 49ers 10β7. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:18.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 12-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:18. Bills 14β10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.
- SF β Phil Dawson 48-yard field goal, 5:54. Bills 14β13. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:24.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 40-yard field goal, 0:21. Bills 17β13. Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 5:33.
Third quarter
- BUF β Justin Hunter 30-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:34. Bills 24β13. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:55.
Fourth quarter
- SF β Phil Dawson 47-yard field goal, 14:48. Bills 24β16. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:46.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 18-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:53. Bills 31β16. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:55.
- BUF β Robert Woods 5-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:32. Bills 38β16. Drive: 1 play, 27 yards, 0:11.
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 44-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 5:40. Bills 45β16. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:25.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, the Bills improve to 4β2 and their first four-game winning streak since 2008 (the team started that season 4β0 in Dick Jauron's last full season as head coach).
Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
Game information
|
First quarter
- MIA β Andrew Franks 36-yard field goal, 7:28. Dolphins 3β0. Drive: 15 plays, 64 yards, 7:32.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 29-yard field goal, 0:49. Tied 3β3. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 1:59.
Second quarter
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor 10-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 11:47. Bills 10β3. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 2:50.
- MIA β Andrew Franks 33-yard field goal, 3:47. Bills 10β6. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 8:00.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- MIA β Damien Williams 12-yard run (Andrew Franks kick), 3:56. Dolphins 21β17. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:49.
- MIA β Kenny Stills 66-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 2:24. Dolphins 28β17. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:03.
- BUF β Reggie Bush 1-yard run (Tyrod TaylorβReggie Bush pass), 0:14. Dolphins 28β25. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 2:10.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
The Bills led 17β14 by the start of the fourth quarter, but the Dolphins came back to win 28β25, causing the Bills to drop to 4β3.
Week 8: vs. New England Patriots
Week Eight: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Patriots |
14 |
10 |
14 | 3 | 41 |
Bills |
3 |
7 |
7 | 8 | 25 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
- Date: October 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 49 Β°F (9 Β°C), rain
- Game attendance: 70,442
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game book
Game information
|
First quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 23-yard field goal, 11:07. Bills 3β0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 3:55.
- NE β Danny Amendola 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 4:35. Patriots 7β3. Drive 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:30.
- NE β Chris Hogan 53-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 1:41. Patriots 14β3. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 2:08.
Second quarter
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 6:26. Patriots 14β10. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 2:14.
- NE β Rob Gronkowski 53-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 4:18. Patriots 21β10. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 2:08.
- NE β Stephen Gostkowski 51-yard field goal, 0:03. Patriots 24β10. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 0:27.
Third quarter
- NE β Julian Edelman 12-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 14:00. Patriots 31β10. Drive: 2 plays, 24 yards, 1:00.
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor 26-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 7:57. Patriots 31β17. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:03.
- NE β LeGarrette Blount 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:10. Patriots 38β17. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:52.
Fourth quarter
- NE β Stephen Gostkowski 32-yard field goal, 7:10. Patriots 41β17. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 4:52.
- BUF β Jonathan Williams (EJ ManuelβNick O'Leary pass), 0:33. Patriots 41β25. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 1:56.
|
Top passers
- NE β Tom Brady β 22/33, 315 yards, 4 TD
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor β 19/38, 183 yards
Top rushers
- NE β LeGarrette Blount β 18 rushes, 43 yards, TD
- BUF β Mike Gillislee β 12 rushes, 85 yards, TD
Top receivers
- NE β Rob Gronkowski β 5 receptions, 109 yards, TD
- BUF β Walt Powell β 3 receptions, 59 yards
|
|
Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- SEA β Jimmy Graham 17-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 14:54. Tied 14β14. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:27.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 31-yard field goal, 9:32. Bills 17β14. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:22.
- SEA β Christine Michael 3-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 4:29. Seahawks 21β17. Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 1:42.
- SEA β Jimmy Graham 18-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 1:00. Seahawks 28β17. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 1:19.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 1-yard run (Tyrod Taylor run), 14:26. Seahawks 28β25. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 6:49.
- SEA β Steven Hauschka 49-yard field goal, 9:49. Seahawks 31β25. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:37.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the loss, not only did the Bills drop to 4β5, but they also lost center Eric Wood for the season.
Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals
Game information
|
First quarter
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 7-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 8:52. Bills 7β0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:23.
- CIN β Andy Dalton 2-yard run (kick failed, hit right upright), 2:34. Bills 7β6. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:18.
Second quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 26-yard field goal, 9:03. Bills 10β6. Drive: 4 plays, β5 yards, 2:05.
- CIN β Tyler Boyd 1-yard pass from Andy Dalton (kick failed, hit right upright), 3:10. Bengals 12β10. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 5:53.
Third quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 54-yard field goal, 10:25. Bills 13β12. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 4:35.
Fourth quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 20-yard field goal, 12:05. Bills 16β12. Drive: 15 plays, 88 yards, 8:12.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, the Bills improved to 5β5, but running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Robert Woods and safety Robert Blanton left the game with injuries.
Week 12: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Twelve: Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Jaguars |
7 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 21 |
Bills |
0 |
6 |
14 | 8 | 28 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 7-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 0:20. Jaguars 7β6. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 1:04.
Third quarter
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 75-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 14:47. Bills 7β13. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:13.
- JAX β Marqise Lee 20-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 9:26. Jaguars 14β13. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:21.
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor 7-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 3:00. Bills 20β14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34.
Fourth quarter
- JAX β Allen Hurns 12-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 14:52. Jaguars 21β20. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:08.
- BUF β Justin Hunter 16-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (LeSean McCoy run), 10:46. Bills 28β21. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:06.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, the Bills improved to 6β5, but defensive tackle Corbin Bryant and wide receiver Walt Powell had to miss the rest of the season.
Week 13: at Oakland Raiders
Week Thirteen: Buffalo Bills at Oakland Raiders
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bills |
3 |
7 |
14 | 0 | 24 |
Raiders |
3 |
6 |
14 | 15 | 38 |
at Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, California
- Date: December 4
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT
- Game weather: 59 Β°F (15 Β°C), partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 54,759
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game book
Game information
|
First quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 27-yard field goal, 8:02. Bills 3β0. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:10.
- OAK β Sebastian Janikowski 47-yard field goal, 4:35. Tied 3β3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:27.
Second quarter
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 1-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 13:28. Bills 10β3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:07.
- OAK β Sebastian Janikowski 41-yard field goal, 2:56. Bills 10β6. Drive: 11 plays, 38 yards, 4:24.
- OAK β Sebastian Janikowski 47-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 10β9. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 0:30.
Third quarter
- BUF β Tyrod Taylor 12-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 14:03. Bills 17β9. Drive: 2 plays, 66 yards, 0:57.
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 2-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 9:01. Bills 24β9. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:10.
- OAK β Michael Crabtree 3-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 5:17. Bills 24β16. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:44.
- OAK β Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:57. Bills 24β23. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 3:03.
Fourth quarter
- OAK β Amari Cooper 37-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 14:08. Raiders 30β24. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 0:40.
- OAK β Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Derek CarrβSeth Roberts pass), 8:34. Raiders 38β24. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 2:11.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the loss, the Bills dropped to 6β6.
Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Fourteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Steelers |
7 |
7 |
7 | 6 | 27 |
Bills |
0 |
7 |
0 | 13 | 20 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
- Date: December 11
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: 27 Β°F (β3 Β°C), snow showers
- Game attendance: 69,657
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game book
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- PIT β Le'Veon Bell 7-yard run (Chris Boswell kick), 12:00. Steelers 14β0. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:14.
- BUF β Sammy Watkins 8-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 7:07. Steelers 14β7. Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 1:27.
Third quarter
- PIT β Le'Veon Bell 5-yard run (Chris Boswell kick), 5:28. Steelers 21β7. Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 6:33.
Fourth quarter
- PIT β Chris Boswell 37-yard field goal, 9:57. Steelers 24β7. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 3:34.
- BUF β Charles Clay 40-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (kick failed, hit left upright), 7:27. Steelers 24β13. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:30.
- PIT β Chris Boswell 39-yard field goal, 3:38. Steelers 27β13. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:49.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:25. Steelers 27β20. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13.
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Browns |
3 |
0 |
10 | 0 | 13 |
Bills |
10 |
7 |
7 | 9 | 33 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
- Date: December 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: 25 Β°F (β4 Β°C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 66,529
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Adam Archuleta
- Recap, Game book
Game information
|
First quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 21-yard field goal, 10:14. Bills 3β0. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:06.
- CLE β Cody Parkey 35-yard field goal, 3:50. Tied 3β3. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:24.
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:00. Bills 10β3. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:50.
Second quarter
- BUF β Charles Clay 19-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:34. Bills 17β3. Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 7:29.
Third quarter
- CLE β Robert Griffin III 18-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 8:58. Bills 17β10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:54.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 5:50. Bills 24β10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.
- CLE β Cody Parkey 40-yard field goal, 1:32. Bills 24β13. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:18.
Fourth quarter
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 8-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 12:38. Bills 30β13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:54.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 34-yard field goal, 7:21. Bills 33β13. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 4:00.
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
With the win, the Bills improved to 7β7 and keep their slim playoff chances alive. The team set a new franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season (27) with LeSean McCoy's second rushing score of the game. This was also the 400th regular-season win in franchise history.
Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIA β DeVante Parker 56-yard pass from Matt Moore (Andrew Franks kick), 12:05. Dolphins 21β7. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:55.
- BUF β LeSean McCoy 19-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 6:46. Dolphins 21β14. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 5:19.
- MIA β Kenny Stills 6-yard pass from Matt Moore (Andrew Franks kick), 3:14. Dolphins 28β14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:32.
- BUF β Charles Clay 18-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:02. Dolphins 28β21. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:02.
Fourth quarter
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 28-yard field goal, 5:51. Dolphins 28β24. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 4:24.
- BUF β Charles Clay 7-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:20. Bills 31β28. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 2:40.
- MIA β Andrew Franks 55-yard field goal, 0:06. Tied 31β31. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 1:14.
Overtime
- MIA β Andrew Franks 27-yard field goal, 0:47. Dolphins 34β31. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:13.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
After the Bills took the lead with a touchdown inside the two-minute warning at the end of the fourth quarter, the Dolphins took the game to overtime with a 55-yard field goal with six seconds on the clock. They then secured the win with 47 seconds left in the extra period with another field goal from 27 yards. The loss for the Bills meant they were eliminated from playoff contention for the 17th consecutive season. Two days later, the Bills fired head coach Rex Ryan and assistant head coach Rob Ryan.
Week 17: at New York Jets
Week Seventeen: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bills |
0 |
3 |
0 | 7 | 10 |
Jets |
0 |
10 |
10 | 10 | 30 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: January 1, 2017
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: 42 Β°F (6 Β°C), sunny
- Game attendance: 78,160
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
- Recap, Game book
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- NYJ β Bilal Powell 2-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Nick Folk kick), 9:28. Jets 7β0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:34.
- BUF β Dan Carpenter 34-yard field goal, 1:45. Jets 7β3. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 4:12.
- NYJ β Nick Folk 30-yard field goal, 0:00. Jets 10β3. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 1:45.
Third quarter
- NYJ β Jalin Marshall 6-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Nick Folk kick), 4:03. Jets 17β3. Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards, 1:28.
- NYJ β Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 0:01. Jets 20β3. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 2:35.
Fourth quarter
- NYJ β Nick Folk 25-yard field goal, 3:21. Jets 23β3. Drive: 4 plays, β4 yards, 1:42.
- NYJ β Doug Middleton kickoff recovery in the end zone (Nick Folk kick), 3:21. Jets 30β3. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00.
- BUF β Mike Gillislee 1-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:39. Jets 30β10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:42.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Anthony Lynn served as interim head coach, and EJ Manuel made his first start of the season, though he was benched in the 4th quarter as Cardale Jones took over. With the loss, Buffalo ended the season 7β9. This game included a notable flaw on Bills' special teams during a botched kickoff play. Jets' kicker Nick Folk made the ball bounce inside the field, over the heads of Bills' special teamers and into the endzone, only to see the surrounding Bills' players miscommunicate and fail to secure the live ball; Jets' specialist Doug Middleton then fell on the ball inside the endzone, giving New York their last touchdown of the game.
Standings
Division
Conference
|
#
|
Team
|
Division
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
PCT
|
DIV
|
CONF
|
SOS
|
SOV
|
STK
|
Division leaders
|
1
|
New England Patriots
|
East
|
14
|
2
|
0
|
.875
|
5β1
|
11β1
|
.439
|
.424
|
W7
|
2
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
West
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
.750
|
6β0
|
9β3
|
.508
|
.479
|
W2
|
3
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
North
|
11
|
5
|
0
|
.688
|
5β1
|
9β3
|
.494
|
.423
|
W7
|
4
|
Houston Texans
|
South
|
9
|
7
|
0
|
.563
|
5β1
|
7β5
|
.502
|
.427
|
L1
|
Wild Cards
|
5
|
Oakland Raiders
|
West
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
.750
|
3β3
|
9β3
|
.504
|
.443
|
L1
|
6
|
Miami Dolphins
|
East
|
10
|
6
|
0
|
.625
|
4β2
|
7β5
|
.455
|
.341
|
L1
|
Did not qualify for the postseason
|
7
|
Tennessee Titans
|
South
|
9
|
7
|
0
|
.563
|
2β4
|
6β6
|
.465
|
.458
|
W1
|
8
|
Denver Broncos
|
West
|
9
|
7
|
0
|
.563
|
2β4
|
6β6
|
.549
|
.455
|
W1
|
9
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
North
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
.500
|
4β2
|
7β5
|
.498
|
.363
|
L2
|
10
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
South
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
.500
|
3β3
|
5β7
|
.492
|
.406
|
W1
|
11
|
Buffalo Bills
|
East
|
7
|
9
|
0
|
.438
|
1β5
|
4β8
|
.482
|
.339
|
L2
|
12
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
North
|
6
|
9
|
1
|
.406
|
3β3
|
5β7
|
.521
|
.333
|
W1
|
13
|
New York Jets
|
East
|
5
|
11
|
0
|
.313
|
2β4
|
4β8
|
.518
|
.313
|
W1
|
14
|
San Diego Chargers
|
West
|
5
|
11
|
0
|
.313
|
1β5
|
4β8
|
.543
|
.513
|
L5
|
15
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
South
|
3
|
13
|
0
|
.188
|
2β4
|
2β10
|
.527
|
.417
|
L1
|
16
|
Cleveland Browns
|
North
|
1
|
15
|
0
|
.063
|
0β6
|
1β11
|
.549
|
.313
|
L1
|
Tiebreakers
|
- ^ Kansas City clinched the AFC West division over Oakland based on head-to-head sweep.
- ^ Houston clinched the AFC South division title over Tennessee based on record vs. division opponents.
- ^ Tennessee finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head victory.
- ^ Baltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on record vs. conference opponents.
- ^ The New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based record vs. common opponents β the Jets' cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis,
Kansas City and Miami was 1β4, while San Diego's cumulative record against the same four teams was 0β5.
- When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
|
References
- "Bills extend NFL's longest playoff drought". December 24, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Chris (January 4, 2016). "Bills sign four players to extensions". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (January 20, 2016). "RB James Wilder Jr. signed by the Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Orr, Conor (August 1, 2016). "Buffalo Bills sign Reggie Bush to one-year deal". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (March 16, 2016). "Bills sign free agent TE Jim Dray". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- "Bills re-sign WR Leonard Hankerson". Buffalo Bills. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- "Bills sign WR Kain Colter". Buffalo Bills. August 1, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- Rodak, Mike (March 8, 2016). "Richie Incognito will be back with Bills in 2016". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (April 7, 2016). "Bills sign C-G Fernando Velasco". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Jackson, Zac (March 30, 2016). "OT Mills signs tender with Bills". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Chris (June 13, 2016). "Bills sign DL Douzable, OT Martin". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- Wesseling, Chris (May 3, 2016). "Glenn, Bills agree to 5-year deal worth up to $65M". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Chris (June 17, 2016). "Tryout player Renfrow signs with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (March 7, 2016). "Bills tender contracts for three restricted free agents". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ "Bills sign DT Casey Walker". Buffalo Bills. July 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Chris (April 4, 2016). "LB Zach Brown, CB Corey White sign with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Chris (April 12, 2016). "LB Alexander, S Anderson agree to terms with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- "Bills sign CB/KR Javier Arenas". Buffalo Bills. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (April 5, 2016). "Bills sign free agent CB Sterling Moore". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (March 18, 2016). "Bills sign S Robert Blanton". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Sessler, Marc (March 11, 2016). "Chris Hogan signs offer sheet with Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- "Lions sign free agent DT Stefan Charles". Detroit Lions. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Bradham, Michael (March 9, 2016). "Eagles sign ex-Bills Nigel Bradham, Ron Brooks". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Alper, Josh (March 1, 2016). "Boobie Dixon says his "time is up" in Buffalo". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Jackson, Zac (August 1, 2016). "Bills add a wide receiver, cut down to one kicker". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- "Bills release linebacker AJ Tarpley, tight end Jacob Maxwell". www.bostonherald.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- "Bills release offensive lineman Tyson Chandler". Buffalo Bills. April 15, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ "Bills release three veterans". Buffalo Bills. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (April 19, 2016). "Bills release LB Tony Steward". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Brown, Chris (March 4, 2016). "Bills release CB Leodis McKelvin". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Jackson, Zac (April 18, 2016). "Bills release DB Cam Thomas". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Hunter, Jeff (June 9, 2016). "Buffalo Bills bring back RB Boom Herron". Buffalo Rumblings. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- "2016 NFL Draft Prospect Visits Tracked by Team". April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- "Bills hire Kathryn Smith, first full-time female coach". NFL.com.
External links
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Conference championships (4) | |
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League championships (2) | |
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Wall of Fame | |
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