The Buffalo Bills were established in 1960 as an American Football League (AFL) charter member. The team’s name was inspired by the All-America Football Conference’s (AAFC) Buffalo Bills, which played in the late 1940s. Owner Ralph Wilson, one of the AFL’s founding members, chose Buffalo to host his franchise, bringing professional football back to the city.
Key Moments:
- 1960: The Bills played their first season, finishing with a 5-8-1 record under head coach Buster Ramsey.
- 1961-1962: Struggled early, failing to post a winning record.
- 1964-1965: The team, led by head coach Lou Saban, won back-to-back AFL championships, defeating the San Diego Chargers both years.
Trophies:
- AFL Championships: 1964, 1965
AFL-NFL Merger and Early NFL Years (1970-1985)
In 1970, the AFL-NFL merger was completed, and the Bills became part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division in the newly formed NFL. The early years in the NFL were challenging for the Bills.
Key Moments:
- 1973: The emergence of running back O.J. Simpson, who rushed for a then-record 2,003 yards in a single season, earning him the NFL MVP award.
- 1974-1975: The team made playoff appearances but did not advance far.
- 1976-1985: A period marked by inconsistency and multiple coaching changes, including the hiring of Chuck Knox in 1978.
The Glory Years: The Marv Levy Era (1986-1997)
The hiring of Marv Levy as head coach in 1986 marked the beginning of the most successful period in Bills history. Under Levy, the Bills became one of the most dominant teams in the NFL during the early 1990s.
Key Moments:
- 1988: The Bills reached the AFC Championship game but lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.
- 1989-1993: The team won five AFC East titles and appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII), although they lost all four.
- The K-Gun Offense: Led by quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, and wide receiver Andre Reed, the high-powered offence was one of the most feared in the league.
Trophies:
- AFC Championships: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Post-Levy Years and Struggles (1998-2016)
Following Levy’s retirement, the Bills experienced a decline, struggling to find consistent success in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Key Moments:
- 1999: The “Music City Miracle” – a controversial last-second play that resulted in a playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans.
- 2000-2016: A period marked by frequent coaching changes, player turnovers, and numerous seasons without playoff appearances, leading to the longest active playoff drought in professional sports at the time.
The Sean McDermott Era: Return to Prominence (2017-Present)
The hiring of Sean McDermott as head coach in 2017 signalled a new era for the franchise. Under his leadership, the Bills returned to playoff contention.
Key Moments:
- 2017: The Bills ended their 17-year playoff drought, securing a Wild Card spot.
- 2019: The team posted a 10-6 record, earning another playoff berth.
- 2020: Quarterback Josh Allen emerged as a star, leading the Bills to their first AFC East title since 1995 and an appearance in the AFC Championship game.
- 2021: Continued success with another AFC East title and a thrilling playoff win over the New England Patriots.
- 2022-2023: The Bills remained strong contenders in the AFC, consistently making playoff appearances and aiming for a Super Bowl victory.
Trophies:
- AFC East Division Titles: 1980, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2020, 2021, 2022
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills have had a storied history filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. From their early success in the AFL to their dominant run in the early 1990s, and their recent resurgence under Sean McDermott, the Bills have cemented themselves as a resilient and competitive franchise. With a passionate fan base and a promising future, the Bills continue to strive for their ultimate goal: a Super Bowl championship.