2015 Buffalo Bills season

2015 Buffalo Bills season
Head coach Rex Ryan
General manager Doug Whaley
Owner Terrence Pegula and Kim Pegula
Home field Ralph Wilson Stadium
Results
Record 8–8
Division place 3rd AFC East
Playoff finish Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers RB LeSean McCoy
QB Tyrod Taylor
C Eric Wood
OG Richie Incognito
Uniform

The Buffalo Bills entered the 2015 season looking for a new head coach as Doug Marrone, who coached the two previous seasons, opted out of his contract on December 31, 2014, to take advantage of a contract loophole (in reality, co-owner Terrence Pegula would have fired him had he stayed). On January 12, 2015, Rex Ryan, who previously spent the past six seasons coaching the division-rival New York Jets, leading them to two straight AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010, signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract, being the franchise's 18th head coach and the fourth in the past seven years. However, finishing the regular season with a record of 8–8, the Bills were unable to make the playoffs in their first season with Ryan as coach, making it the 16th straight season without a playoff appearance, which became the longest active in major professional sports after the Toronto Blue Jays broke their 22-year playoff drought on September 25.[1] It was also the first full season under the ownership of Terrence and Kim Pegula, who also own the Buffalo Sabres, having purchased the Bills partway through 2014 after the death of longtime owner Ralph Wilson in March at the age of 95 (they purchased the Sabres in February 2011 after Tom Golisano didn't want to continue owning a cursed NHL team). The Bills began their season with an open competition for the starting quarterback position after Kyle Orton, the starter for most of the 2014 campaign, retired during the off-season. Tyrod Taylor, a free agent acquisition from Baltimore, won the competition over incumbent second-string quarterback E.J. Manuel and trade acquisition Matt Cassel, whom the team later traded to Dallas in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2017.

Roster changes

Signings

Position Player 2014 Team Date signed Notes and references
OG Richie Incognito No Team February 8, 2015 1 year/$2.25 million
DE Jerry Hughes Buffalo Bills March 9, 2015 5 years/$45 million
FB Jerome Felton Minnesota Vikings March 11, 2015 4 years/$9.2 million
WR Marcus Easley Buffalo Bills March 12, 2015 4 years/$7 million
DE Jarius Wynn Buffalo Bills March 12, 2015 2 years/$2.2 million
QB Tyrod Taylor Baltimore Ravens March 12, 2015 2 years/$7 million
WR Percy Harvin New York Jets March 13, 2015 3 year/$24 million
TE Charles Clay Miami Dolphins March 19, 2015 5 years/$38 million
DE Alex Carrington St. Louis Rams May 4, 2015 1 year
FB John Conner New York Jets May 13, 2015 1 year/$745,000
QB Matt Simms New York Jets May 29, 2015 1 year/$585,000

Free agents lost

Position Player 2015 Team Date signed Notes and references
CB Da'Norris Searcy Tennessee Titans March 10, 2015 4 years/$24 million
TE Lee Smith Oakland Raiders March 10, 2015 3 years/$9.1 million
RB C.J. Spiller New Orleans Saints March 13, 2015 4 years/$18 million
TE Scott Chandler New England Patriots March 13, 2015 2 years/$5.3 million
OL Erik Pears San Francisco 49ers March 14, 2015 2 years/$4.7 million
LB Larry Dean Tampa Bay Buccaneers April 9, 2015 1 year/$745,000
OT Chris Hairston San Diego Chargers April 15, 2015 1 year
LB Brandon Spikes New England Patriots May 18, 2015 1 year (Released June 8, 2015)

Trades

Player/picks acquired From Date traded Player/picks traded
LeSean McCoy Philadelphia Eagles March 10, 2015 Kiko Alonso
Matt Cassel
Minnesota's 2015 6th Round Pick 		Minnesota Vikings March 10, 2015 Buffalo's 2015 5th Round Pick
Buffalo's 2016 7th Round Pick
Dallas's 2017 5th Round Pick Dallas Cowboys September 25, 2015 Matt Cassel
Buffalo's 2017 7th Round Pick

Draft

Main article: 2015 NFL Draft
2015 Buffalo Bills draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
2 50 Ronald Darby  CB Florida St
3 81 John Miller  OG Louisville
5 155 Karlos Williams  RB Florida St
6 188 Tony Steward  OLB Clemson
6 194 Nick O'Leary  TE Florida St
7 234 Dezmin Lewis  WR Central Arkansas
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
Notes

Staff

2015 Buffalo Bills staff
Front office
  • Owner/CEO – Terry Pegula
  • Owner – Kim Pegula
  • President – Russ Brandon
  • General Manager – Doug Whaley
  • Senior Vice President of Football Administration – Jim Overdorf
  • Director of Player Personnel – Jim Monos
  • Director of College Scouting – Kelvin Fisher

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning – Eric Ciano
  • Assistant Head Strength and Conditioning – Hal Luther
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Jason Oszvart
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Dan Liburd

Final roster

2015 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, 19 Inactive, 9 Practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 14 Carolina Panthers L 24–25 0–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
2 August 20 at Cleveland Browns W 11–10 1–1 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 August 29 Pittsburgh Steelers W 43–19 2–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
4 September 3 at Detroit Lions L 10–17 2–2 Ford Field Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 13 Indianapolis Colts W 27–14 1–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
2 September 20 New England Patriots L 32–40 1–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
3 September 27 at Miami Dolphins W 41–14 2–1 Sun Life Stadium Recap
4 October 4 New York Giants L 10–24 2–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
5 October 11 at Tennessee Titans W 14–13 3–2 Nissan Stadium Recap
6 October 18 Cincinnati Bengals L 21–34 3–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
7 October 25 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 31–34 3–4 Wembley Stadium Recap
8 Bye
9 November 8 Miami Dolphins W 33–17 4–4 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
10 November 12 at New York Jets W 22–17 5–4 MetLife Stadium Recap
11 November 23 at New England Patriots L 13–20 5–5 Gillette Stadium Recap
12 November 29 at Kansas City Chiefs L 22–30 5–6 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
13 December 6 Houston Texans W 30–21 6–6 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
14 December 13 at Philadelphia Eagles L 20–23 6–7 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
15 December 20 at Washington Redskins L 25–35 6–8 FedEx Field Recap
16 December 27 Dallas Cowboys W 16–6 7–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
17 January 3 New York Jets W 22–17 8–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week One: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 0 01414
Bills 7 10 7327

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter
  • BUF: Percey Harvin 51 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 7–0). Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:39
Second quarter
  • BUF Dan Carpenter 41 yard field goal, (BUF 10–0). Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:22
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 26 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 17–0). Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 2:22
Third quarter
  • BUF: Anthony Dixon 1 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 24–0). Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:26
  • IND: Donte Moncrief 2 yard pass from Andrew Luck, Andrew Luck-Coby Fleener 2pt conversion good, (BUF 24–8). Drive: 18 plays, 65 yards, 8:40
Fourth quarter
  • BUF Dan Carpenter 45 yard field goal, (BUF 27–8). Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:30
  • IND: Dwayne Allen 6 yard pass from Andrew Luck, 2pt conversion failed, (BUF 24–14). Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:18
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 2: vs. New England Patriots

Week Two: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Patriots 14 10 13340
Bills 7 6 01932

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 2 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 7–0). Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:00
  • NE: Julian Edelman 8 yard pass from Tom Brady, Stephen Gostkowski XP good, (TIE 7–7). Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:30
  • NE: Dion Lewis 6 yard run, Stephen Gostkowski XP good, (NE 14–7). Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards, 00:31
Second quarter
  • NE: Rob Gronkowski 2 yard pass from Tom Brady, Stephen Gostkowski XP good, (NE 21–7). Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 1:36
  • BUF: Charles Clay 9 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP failed, (NE 21–13). Drive: 2 plays, 48 yards, 1:25
  • NE: Stephen Gostkowski 46 yard field goal, (NE 24–13). Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 2:55
Third quarter
  • NE Stephen Gostkowski 21 yard field goal, (NE 27–13). Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 4:58
  • NE: Julian Edelman 22 yard pass from Tom Brady, Stephen Gostkowski XP good, (NE 34–13). Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 3:12
  • NE: Stephen Gostkowski 50 yard field goal, (NE 37–13). Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 00:59
Fourth quarter
  • BUF: Robert Woods 32 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, 2pt conversion failed, (NE 37–19). Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:46
  • BUF: Tyrod Taylor 7 yard run, 2pt conversion failed, (NE 37–25). Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 2:43
  • BUF: Sammy Watkins 24 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (NE 37–32). Drive: 2 plays, 50 yards, 00:15
  • NE: Stephen Gostkowski 25 yard field goal, (NE 40–32). Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:01
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins

Week Three: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 14 13 01441
Dolphins 0 0 01414

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 64,869
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
  • BUF: Charles Clay 25 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 7-0). Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:17
  • BUF: LeSean McCoy 10 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 14–0). Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 3:40
Second quarter
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 26 yard field goal, (BUF 17–0). Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:00
  • BUF: Preston Brown 43 yard interception return, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 24-0).
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 51 yard field goal, (BUF 27–0). Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 00:42
Third quarter
  • MIA: Rishard Matthews 21 yard pass from Ryan Tannehill, 2pt conversion good, (BUF 27-8). Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:14
Fourth quarter
  • BUF: Chris Hogan 38 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 34–8). Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:46
  • MIA: Rishard Matthews 46 yard pass from Ryan Tannehill, Andrew Franks XP failed, (BUF 34-14). Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 00:51
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 41 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 41–14). Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 1:10
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 4: vs. New York Giants

Week Four: New York Giants at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 9 7 0824
Bills 3 0 0710

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

First quarter
  • NYG: Josh Brown 47 yard field goal, (NYG 3–0). Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:11
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 51 yard field goal, (TIE 3–3). Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 1:21
  • NYG: Dwayne Harris 21 yard pass from Eli Manning, Josh Brown XP failed, (NYG 9–3). Drive: 2 plays, 32 yards, 00:37
Second quarter
  • NYG: Rueben Randle 11 yard pass from Eli Manning, Josh Brown XP good, (NYG 16–3). Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:02
Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 23 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (NYG 16–10). Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 00:54
  • NYG: Rashard Jennings 51 yard pass from Eli Manning, Andre Williams run-2pt conversion good, (NYG 24–10). Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 1:59
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • NYG – Rashard Jennings, 2 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD
  • BUF – Charles Clay, 9 receptions, 111 yards
Top tacklers

Week 5: at Tennessee Titans

Week Five: Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 01414
Titans 0 3 7313

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

First quarter

No Scoring

Second quarter
  • TEN: Ryan Succop 21 yard field goal, (TEN 3–0). Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 7:39
Third quarter
  • TEN: Antonio Andrews 1 yard run, Ryan Succop XP good, (TEN 10–0). Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 4:15
  • BUF: Tyrod Taylor 22 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (TEN 10–7). Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:31
Fourth quarter
  • TEN: Ryan Succop 41 yard field goal, (TEN 13–7). Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 6:44
  • BUF: Chris Hogan 2 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 14–13). Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:11
Top passers
Top rushers
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 8 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
  • TEN – Marcus Mariota, 5 carries, 47 yards
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Six: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 10 14334
Bills 7 7 0721

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 69,593
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
  • BUF: EJ Manuel 2 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 7–0). Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:39
  • CIN: Jeremy Hills 13 yard pass from Andy Dalton, Mike Nugent XP good, (TIE 7–7). Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 2:43
Second quarter
  • CIN: Giovani Bernard 17 yard run, Mike Nugent XP good, (CIN 14–7). Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 2:11
  • CIN: Mike Nugent 47 yard field goal, (CIN 17–7). Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:34
  • BUF: Sammy Watkins 22 yard pass from EJ Manuel, Dan Carpenter XP good, (CIN 17–14). Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 6:55
Third quarter
  • CIN: Marvin Jones 10 yard pass from Andy Dalton, Mike Nugent XP good, (CIN 24–14). Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 4:05
  • CIN: Tyler Eifert 4 yard pass from Andy Dalton, Mike Nugent XP good, (CIN 31–14). Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 4:41
Fourth quarter
  • CIN: Mike Nugent 39 yard field goal, (CIN 34–14). Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:07
  • BUF: LeSean McCoy 4 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (CIN 34–21). Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:50
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 7: at Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL International Series
Week Seven: Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 3 10 01831
Jaguars 0 27 0734

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), sunny intervals
  • Game attendance: 84,021
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Yahoo! Screen, WIVB): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 31 yard field goal, (BUF 3–0). Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:38
Second quarter
  • JAX: Allen Robinson 13 yard pass from Blake Bortles, Jason Myers XP good, (JAX 7–3). Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:08
  • JAX: Chris Clemons 6 yard fumble return, Jason Myers XP good, (JAX 14-3).
  • JAX: Telvin Smith 26 yard interception return, Jason Myers XP good, (JAX 21-3).
  • JAX: T.J. Yeldon 28 yard run, Jason Myers XP failed, (JAX 27–3). Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 1:30
  • BUF: Robert Woods 16 yard pass from EJ Manuel, Dan Carpenter XP good, (JAX 27–10). Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 5:39
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 38 yard field goal, (JAX 27–13). Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 1:30
Third quarter

No Scoring

Fourth quarter
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 26 yard field goal, (JAX 27–16). Drive: 14 plays, 91 yards, 5:40
  • BUF: Marcus Easley 58 yard pass from EJ Manuel, LeSean McCoy-run 2pt conversion good, (JAX 27–24). Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 00:42
  • BUF: Corey Graham 44 yard interception return, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 31-27).
  • JAX: Allen Hurns 31 yard pass from Blake Bortles, Jason Myers XP good, (JAX 34–31). Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 3:05
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 7 7317
Bills 9 10 7733

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), sunny with some clouds
  • Game attendance: 70,214
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
  • BUF: Ryan Tannehill fumble out of bounds in end zone for safety, (BUF 2-0).
  • BUF: LeSean McCoy 48 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 9–0). Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:58
Second quarter
  • MIA: Lamar Miller 1 yard run, Andrew Franks XP good, (BUF 9–7). Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:25
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 43 yard field goal, (BUF 12–7). Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 4:20
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 11 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 19–7). Drive: 4 plays, 84 yards, 2:07
Third quarter
  • MIA: Lamar Miller 1 yard run, Andrew Franks XP good, (BUF 19–14). Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:55
  • BUF: Sammy Watkins 44 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 26–14). Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 2:12
Fourth quarter
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 38 yard run, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 33–14). Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 6:16
  • MIA: Andrew Franks 48 yard field goal, (BUF 33–17). Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:42
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • MIA – Lamar Miller, 7 receptions, 97 yards
  • BUF – Sammy Watkins, 8 receptions, 168 yards, 1 TD
Top tacklers

Week 10: at New York Jets

Week Ten: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 12 10022
Jets 3 0 7717

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter
  • NYJ: Randy Bullock 29 yard field goal, (NYJ 3–0). Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:57
Second quarter
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 47 yard field goal, (TIE 3–3). Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:28
  • BUF: Duke Williams 19 yard fumble return, Dan Carpenter XP failed, (BUF 9-3).
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 41 yard field goal, (BUF 12–3). Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 4:47
Third quarter
  • BUF: Karlos Williams 26 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor, Dan Carpenter XP good, (BUF 19–3). Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:45
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 29 yard field goal, (BUF 22–3). Drive: 5 plays, 12 yards, 2:24
  • NYJ: Brandon Marshall 14 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick, Randy Bullock XP good, (BUF 22–10). Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:03
Fourth quarter
  • NYJ: Eric Decker 31 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick, Randy Bullock XP good, (BUF 22–17). Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 2:51
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Rex Ryan made his return to MetLife Stadium for the first time since leaving the Jets after the 2014 season. The Bills wore their red Nike "color rush" uniforms. Just 0:18 left in fourth quarter, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick attempted a comeback, but a game-saving interception by the Bills sealed the 22-17 victory over the Jets. With the win, the Bills improved to 5-4.

Week 11: at New England Patriots

Week Eleven: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 3 7313
Patriots 3 7 10020

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

First quarter
  • NE: Stephen Gostkowski 35 Yd Field Goal, (NE 3-0). Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 5:56
Second quarter
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 52 Yd Field Goal, (3-3). Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:36
  • NE: James White 20 Yd pass from Tom Brady, Stephen Gostkowski XP good (NE 10-3). Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 0:33
Third quarter
  • BUF: LeSean McCoy 27 Yd Run, Dan Carpenter XP good (10-10). Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 2:06
  • NE: James White 6 Yd Run, Stephen Gostkowski XP good (NE 17-10). Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 2:04
  • NE: Stephen Gostkowski 35 Yd Field Goal, (NE 20-10) Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:50
Fourth quarter
  • BUF: Dan Carpenter 33 Yd Field Goal, (NE 20-13). Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:05
Top passers
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 20-36, 233 yards
  • NE – Tom Brady, 20-39, 277 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Top rushers
  • BUF – LeSean McCoy, 20 attempts, 82 yards, 1 touchdown
  • NE – LeGarrette Blount, 16 attempts, 56 yards
Top receivers
  • BUF – Chris Hogan, 6 receptions, 95 yards
  • NE – Danny Amendola, 9 receptions, 117 yards
Top tacklers
  • BUF – Preston Brown, 5 solo, 4 assist
  • NE – Logan Ryan, 7 solo, 2 assist

Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Twelve: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 10 6 6022
Chiefs 0 14 10630

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), cloudy and rainy
  • Game attendance: 72,493
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 21-38, 291 yards, 3 touchdowns
  • KC – Alex Smith, 19-30, 255 yards, 2 touchdowns
Top rushers
  • BUF – LeSean McCoy, 19 attempts, 70 yards
  • KC – Spencer Ware, 19 attempts, 114 yards, 1 touchdown
Top receivers
  • BUF – Sammy Watkins, 6 receptions, 158 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • KC – Jeremy Maclin, 9 receptions, 160 yards, 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
  • BUF – Marcell Dareus, 6 solo
  • KC – Josh Mauga, 9 solo, 1 TFL

Week 13: vs. Houston Texans

Week Thirteen: Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 6 7 0821
Bills 7 14 0930

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 68,544
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • HOU – Brian Hoyer, 26-43, 293 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 11-21, 211 yards, 3 touchdowns
Top rushers
  • HOU – Chris Polk, 12 attempts, 61 yards
  • BUF – LeSean McCoy, 21 attempts, 112 yards
Top receivers
  • HOU – Cecil Shorts III, 6 receptions, 91 yards
  • BUF – Sammy Watkins, 3 receptions, 109 yards, 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
  • HOU – Kareem Jackson, 5 solo, 1 assist
  • BUF – Preston Brown, 5 solo, 4 assist

Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Fourteen: Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 7 3 10020
Eagles 7 10 3323

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 69,596
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 19-36, 268 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
  • PHI – Sam Bradford, 23-38, 247 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Top rushers
  • BUF – LeSean McCoy, 20 attempts, 74 yards
  • PHI – Darren Sproles, 7 attempts, 41 yards, 1 touchdowns
Top receivers
  • BUF – Robert Woods, 5 receptions, 106 yards
  • PHI – Zach Ertz, 5 receptions, 98 yards
Top tacklers
  • BUF – Corey Graham, 8 solo, 1 assist
  • PHI – Fletcher Cox, 7 solo, 1 assist, 1 sack, 2 TFL

LeSean McCoy made his return to Philadelphia for the first time since the Eagles traded him in the offseason. McCoy was seen kissing the Eagles logo, but did not stick around to interact with his former teammates or coach Chip Kelly.

Week 15: at Washington Redskins

Week Fifteen: Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 02525
Redskins 7 14 7735

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 80,124
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • BUF –
  • WAS –
Top rushers
  • BUF –
  • WAS –
Top receivers
  • BUF –
  • WAS –
Top tacklers
  • BUF –
  • WAS –

With the loss, Buffalo fell to 6-8 and was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the 16th season in a row. [2]

Week 16: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week Sixteen: Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 3 006
Bills 6 0 3716

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), rain showers
  • Game attendance: 70,172
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DAL –
  • BUF –
Top rushers
  • DAL –
  • BUF –
Top receivers
  • DAL –
  • BUF –
Top tacklers
  • DAL –
  • BUF –

Week 17: vs. New York Jets

Week Seventeen: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jets 0 7 10017
Bills 7 9 3322

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: January 3, 2016
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 68,670
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

(5:55) Tyrod Taylor 18 yd. TD run (Dan Carpenter kick is good) Bills 7-0

Second quarter

(13:02) Karlos Williams 2 yd. TD run (kick failed, wide left) Bills 13-0 (9:42) Brandon Marshall 17 yd. TD pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Randy Bullock kick is good) Bills 13-7 (:27) Dan Carpenter 20 yd. FG Bills 16-7

Third quarter

(13:24) Randy Bullock 39 yd. FG Bills 16-10 (5:05) Dan Carpenter 37 yd. FG Bills 19-10 (1:15) Eric Decker 21 yd. TD pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Randy Bullock kick is good) Bills 19-17

Fourth quarter

(3:53) Dan Carpenter 42 yd. FG Bills 22-17
Top passers
  • NYJ – Ryan Fitzpatrick, 16-37 181 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 18-28, 182 yards
Top rushers
  • NYJ – Chris Ivory, 6 attempts, 81 yards
  • BUF – Tyrod Taylor, 10 attempts, 51 yards, 1 touchdown
Top receivers
  • NYJ – Brandon Marshall 8 receptions, 126 yards, 1 touchdown
  • BUF – Sammy Watkins, 11 receptions, 136 yards
Top tacklers
  • NYJ – David Harris, 10 total, 4 assists,2 sacks, 2 TFL
  • BUF – Corey Graham, 6 solo, 1 TFL

Prior to the game the team called for paid volunteers to help shovel snow out of Ralph Wilson Stadium.[3] Former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick made his first return to Buffalo since being cut after the 2012 season, hoping to clinch a playoff spot for his new team with a win. Despite the Jets setting various team records, the Bills ultimately pulled out a win, finishing the 2015 campaign at 8-8 and keeping the Jets out of the playoffs for a fifth straight year.

Standings

Division

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New England Patriots 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 465 315 L2
New York Jets 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 387 314 L1
Buffalo Bills 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 379 359 W2
Miami Dolphins 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 310 389 W1


# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Denver Broncos West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .500 .479 W2
2[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .473 .448 L2
3[lower-alpha 1] Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .406 W1
4 Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .410 W3
Wild Cards
5 Kansas City Chiefs West 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .496 .432 W10
6[lower-alpha 2] Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .504 .463 W1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7[lower-alpha 2] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .441 .388 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .508 .438 W2
9[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 4–2 6–6 .500 .406 W2
10 Oakland Raiders West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 .512 .366 L1
11 Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .469 .469 W2
12[lower-alpha 3] Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .473 .375 L3
13[lower-alpha 3] Baltimore Ravens North 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .425 L1
14 San Diego Chargers West 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .527 .328 L2
15[lower-alpha 3] Cleveland Browns North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 .531 .271 L3
16[lower-alpha 3] Tennessee Titans South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .492 .375 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 4]
  1. 1 2 3 Denver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. 1 2 Pittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The tiebreaker was based on head-to-head victory.
  4. ↑ 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

  1. ↑ http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/21143/bills-now-have-longest-current-playoff-drought-among-major-sports
  2. ↑ "Bills vs. Redskins - Game Recap - December 20, 2015 - ESPN".
  3. ↑ http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/2016/01/18/stadium-shovelers-paid-week/78971332/

External links

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