
TheBuffalo Bills are a professionalAmerican football team based in theBuffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in theNational Football League (NFL) as a member of theAmerican Football Conference (AFC)East Division.[2] Founded in 1959 byRalph Wilson, they were a charter member of theAmerican Football League (AFL) and joined the NFL in1970 following theAFL–NFL merger.[3][4][5] The Bills' name is derived from anAll-America Football Conferencefranchise from Buffalo that was in turn named after western frontiersmanBuffalo Bill.[6][7] Since 1973 they have played their home games atHighmark Stadium inOrchard Park, New York.[1]
In their time in the AFL from 1960 to 1969, the Bills reached the AFL Championship three consecutive times from 1964 to 1966, winning twice in 1964 and 1965. They did not return to the postseason until 1974 nor win a division title until 1980.[8]
In the 1990 season, they won the AFC Championship to reach their firstSuper Bowl. They lost inSuper Bowl XXV. They reached the next three Super Bowls with victories in the AFC Championship. They became the first team (and as of 2025, only team) to reach the Super Bowl four straight times. The Bills have won the AFC East five consecutive times, starting in 2020.[9]
As of the end of the2024 season, the Bills have an all-time record of 486 wins, 505 losses, and 8 ties in the regular season, with an additional 21 wins and 22 losses in the playoffs.[8][10] The team has had 29 winning seasons, 32 losing seasons, and 4 having as many wins as losses.[10][8]
| (#) | The order of league championship won by the franchise |
|---|---|
| Finish | Final position in league, division, or conference |
| Pct | The team'swinning percentage for the season |
| † | AFL champions(1960–1969) |
| ‡ | Super Bowl champions(1970–present) |
| * | Conference champions |
| ^ | Division champions |
| § | Wild Card berth |
| ° | One-game playoff berth |
| Season | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | Awards | Head coach | Refs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | W | L | T | Pct | |||||||||
| 1960 | 1960 | AFL | Eastern | 3rd | 5 | 8 | 1 | .393 | Buster Ramsey | [11] | |||
| 1961 | 1961 | AFL | Eastern | 4th | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | [12] | ||||
| 1962 | 1962 | AFL | Eastern | 3rd | 7 | 6 | 1 | .536 | Lou Saban | [13] | |||
| 1963 | 1963 | AFL | Eastern | 2nd° | 7 | 6 | 1 | .536 | LostDivisional Playoffs (Patriots) 26–8 | [14] | |||
| 1964 | 1964 | AFL† | Eastern^ | 1st^ | 12 | 2 | 0 | .857 | WonAFL Championship(1) (Chargers) 20–7 | Lou Saban (COYTooltip AP AFL Coach of the Year) | [15][16] | ||
| 1965 | 1965 | AFL† | Eastern^ | 1st^ | 10 | 3 | 1 | .750 | WonAFL Championship(2) (atChargers) 23–0 | Lou Saban (COYTooltip AP AFL Coach of the Year) | [17][18] | ||
| 1966 | 1966 | AFL | Eastern^ | 1st^ | 9 | 4 | 1 | .679 | LostAFL Championship (Chiefs) 31–7 | Bobby Burnett (ROYTooltip American Football League Rookie of the Year) | Joe Collier | [19][20] | |
| 1967 | 1967 | AFL | Eastern | 3rd | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | [21] | ||||
| 1968 | 1968 | AFL | Eastern | 5th | 1 | 12 | 1 | .107 | Joe Collier(0–2) Harvey Johnson(1–10–1) | [22] | |||
| 1969 | 1969 | AFL | Eastern | 4th | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | John Rauch | [23] | |||
| 1970 | 1970 | NFL[A] | AFC[A] | East[A] | 4th | 3 | 10 | 1 | .250 | Dennis Shaw (OROYTooltip AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) | [26][27] | ||
| 1971 | 1971 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 1 | 13 | 0 | .071 | Harvey Johnson | [28] | ||
| 1972 | 1972 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 4 | 9 | 1 | .321 | Lou Saban | [29] | ||
| 1973 | 1973 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | O. J. Simpson (MVPTooltip AP NFL Most Valuable Player,OPOYTooltip AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year) | [30][31] | ||
| 1974 | 1974 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd§ | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | LostDivisional Playoffs (atSteelers) 32–14 | [32] | ||
| 1975 | 1975 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | [33] | |||
| 1976 | 1976 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | Lou Saban(2–3) Jim Ringo(0–9) | [34] | ||
| 1977 | 1977 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | Jim Ringo | [35] | ||
| 1978 | 1978 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | Chuck Knox | [36][B] | ||
| 1979 | 1979 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | Jim Haslett (DROYTooltip AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year) | [39][40] | ||
| 1980 | 1980 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | LostDivisional Playoffs (atChargers) 20–14 | Chuck Knox (COYTooltip AP NFL Coach of the Year) | [41][42] | |
| 1981 | 1981 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd§ | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | WonWild Card Playoffs (atJets) 31–27 LostDivisional Playoffs (atBengals) 28–21 | [43] | ||
| 1982 | 1982 | NFL | AFC | None[C] | 9th[C] | 4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | [45] | |||
| 1983 | 1983 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | Kay Stephenson | [46] | ||
| 1984 | 1984 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | [47] | |||
| 1985 | 1985 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | Kay Stephenson(0–4) Hank Bullough(2–10) | [48] | ||
| 1986 | 1986 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | Hank Bullough(2–7) Marv Levy(2–5) | [49] | ||
| 1987 | 1987 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 7 | 8 | 0 | .467 | Shane Conlan (DROYTooltip AP NFL Rookie of the Year) | Marv Levy | [50][51][D] | |
| 1988 | 1988 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | WonDivisional Playoffs (Oilers) 17–10 LostAFC Championship (atBengals) 21–10 | [53][54] | ||
| 1989 | 1989 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | LostDivisional Playoffs (atBrowns) 34–30 | [55] | ||
| 1990 | 1990 | NFL | AFC* | East^ | 1st^ | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | WonDivisional Playoffs (Dolphins) 44–34 WonAFC Championship (Raiders) 51–3 LostSuper Bowl XXV (vs.Giants) 20–19 | Bruce Smith (DPOYTooltip AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year) | [56][57] | |
| 1991 | 1991 | NFL | AFC* | East^ | 1st^ | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | WonDivisional Playoffs (Chiefs) 37–14 WonAFC Championship (Broncos) 10–7 LostSuper Bowl XXVI (vs.Redskins) 37–24 | Thurman Thomas (MVPTooltip AP NFL Most Valuable Player,OPOYTooltip AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year) | [58][59] | |
| 1992 | 1992 | NFL | AFC* | East | 2nd§ | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Oilers)41–38(OT) WonDivisional Playoffs (atSteelers) 24–3 WonAFC Championship (atDolphins) 29–10 LostSuper Bowl XXVII (vs.Cowboys) 52–17 | [60] | ||
| 1993 | 1993 | NFL | AFC* | East^ | 1st^ | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | WonDivisional Playoffs (Raiders) 29–23 WonAFC Championship (Chiefs) 30–13 LostSuper Bowl XXVIII (vs.Cowboys) 30–13 | [61] | ||
| 1994 | 1994 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [62] | |||
| 1995 | 1995 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Dolphins) 37–22 LostDivisional Playoffs (atSteelers) 40–21 | Bryce Paup (DPOYTooltip AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year) | [63][57] | |
| 1996 | 1996 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd§ | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | LostWild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) 30–27 | Bruce Smith (DPOYTooltip AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year) | [64][57] | |
| 1997 | 1997 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [65] | |||
| 1998 | 1998 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd§ | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | LostWild Card Playoffs (atDolphins) 24–17 | Wade Phillips | [66] | |
| 1999 | 1999 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd§ | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | LostWild Card Playoffs (atTitans)22–16 | [67] | ||
| 2000 | 2000 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | [68] | |||
| 2001 | 2001 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | Gregg Williams | [69] | ||
| 2002 | 2002 | NFL | AFC | East[E] | 4th | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | [72] | |||
| 2003 | 2003 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [73] | |||
| 2004 | 2004 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | Mike Mularkey | [74] | ||
| 2005 | 2005 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | [75] | |||
| 2006 | 2006 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | Dick Jauron | [76] | ||
| 2007 | 2007 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [77] | |||
| 2008 | 2008 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | [78] | |||
| 2009 | 2009 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | Dick Jauron(3–7) Perry Fewell(3–4) | [79] | ||
| 2010 | 2010 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | Chan Gailey | [80] | ||
| 2011 | 2011 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [81] | |||
| 2012 | 2012 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [82] | |||
| 2013 | 2013 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | Doug Marrone | [83] | ||
| 2014 | 2014 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | [84] | |||
| 2015 | 2015 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | Rex Ryan | [85] | ||
| 2016 | 2016 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | Rex Ryan(7–8) Anthony Lynn(0–1) | [86] | ||
| 2017 | 2017 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd§ | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | LostWild Card Playoffs (atJaguars) 10–3 | Sean McDermott | [87] | |
| 2018 | 2018 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | [88] | |||
| 2019 | 2019 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd§ | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | LostWild Card Playoffs (atTexans) 22–19(OT) | [89] | ||
| 2020 | 2020 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Colts) 27–24 WonDivisional Playoffs (Ravens) 17–3 LostAFC Championship (atChiefs) 38–24 | Brian Daboll (ACOYTooltip AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year) | [90][91] | |
| 2021 | 2021 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Patriots) 47–17 LostDivisional Playoffs (atChiefs)42–36(OT) | [92][F] | ||
| 2022 | 2022 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Dolphins) 34–31 LostDivisional Playoffs (Bengals) 27–10 | [94] | ||
| 2023 | 2023 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Steelers) 31–17 LostDivisional Playoffs (Chiefs) 27–24 | [95][96] | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | NFL | AFC | East^ | 1st^ | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 | WonWild Card Playoffs (Broncos) 31–7 WonDivisional Playoffs (Ravens) 27–25 LostAFC Championship (atChiefs)32–29 | Josh Allen (MVPTooltip AP NFL Most Valuable Player) | [97][98] | |
| Totals 2 AFL Championship 4 AFC Conference Championship 15 Division titles | 486 | 505 | 8 | .490 | All-time regular season record (1960–2024) | [8] | |||||||
| 21 | 22 | — | .488 | All-time postseason record (1960–2024) | |||||||||
| 507 | 527 | 8 | .490 | All-time regular & postseason record (1960–2024) | |||||||||
Note: Statistics are up to date January 26, 2025.