1987 Buffalo Bills season

28th season in franchise history November 2013 March 2026 Buffalo Bills 1987 7–8 4th AFC East Marv Levy Bill Polian Ralph Wilson Rich Stadium Did not qualify QB Jim KellyDE Bruce Smith DE Bruce Smith (1st team)ST Steve Tasker (1st team)LB Shane Conlan (2nd team) Bills seasons The 1987 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League, and 28th overall. On October 31, 1987, the Los Angeles Rams traded Eric Dickerson to the Indianapolis Colts in a three team trade involving the Bills. The Rams sent Dickerson to the Colts for six draft choices and two players. Buffalo obtained the rights to Cornelius Bennett from Indianapolis. Buffalo sent running back Greg Bell and three draft choices to the Rams, while Indianapolis added Owen Gill and three of their own draft picks to complete the deal with the Rams.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p.286 Adding Bennett to the team helped to form the nucleus for a strong young defensive unit that would become the core of Buffalo's later Super Bowl teams. Offseason NFL draft 1987 NFL draft Buffalo's first two draft picks—linebacker Shane Conlan and defensive back Nate Odomes—would later go on to make to have a great deal of impact on Buffalo's defense. Conlan was named 1987 Defensive Rookie of the Year and would be selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls in the 1988, 1989 and 1990 seasons. Odomes would be selected to consecutive Pro Bowls in 1992 and 1993. Another impactful rookie, Cornelius Bennett, was drafted by Indianapolis in 1987, before being traded to Buffalo. 1987 Buffalo Bills 1 8 Shane Conlan Linebacker Penn State yes yes 2 29 Nate Odomes Defensive back Wisconsin yes yes 2 33 Roland Mitchell Defensive back Texas Tech yes 3 60 David Brandon Linebacker Memphis State 3 78 Jamie Mueller Running back Benedictine (KS) yes 4 109 Leon Seals Defensive end Jackson State yes 7 171 Kerry Porter Running back Washington State yes 11 283 Howard Ballard Offensive Tackle Alabama A&M yes yes https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1987_draft.htm 1987 Buffalo Bills draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com November 15, 2014 Personnel Staff 1987 Buffalo Bills President – Ralph Wilson Vice president of administration/general manager – Bill Polian Vice president of football operations – Marv Levy Director of college scouting – John Butler Director of pro personnel – Bob Ferguson National scout – Norm Pollom College scout – A. J. Smith Administrative assistant to the head coach – Chuck Dickerson Head coach – Marv Levy Offensive coordinator/offensive line – Jim Ringo Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator – Ted Marchibroda Running backs – Elijah Pitts Receivers – Ted Tollner Tight ends – Chuck Dickerson Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Walt Corey Defensive line – Ted Cottrell Defensive backs – Dick Roach Defensive assistant – Chuck Lester Special teams – Bruce DeHaven Strength and conditioning coordinator – Rusty Jones 1987 Buffalo Bills Media Guide 3–24 NFL replacement players After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled: 1987 Buffalo Bills replacement rosterQuarterbacks 13 Brian McClure 10 Mark Miller 17 Willie Totten Running backs 46 Joe Chetti 23 Barry Chubb 30 Warren Loving 47 Mike Panepinto 24 Johnny Shepherd 26 Leonard Williams Wide receivers 86 Marc Brown 88 Reggie Bynum 83 Sheldon Gaines 85 Kris Haines 89 Thad McFadden Tight ends 84 Veno Belk 87 Mark Walczak Offensive linemen 68 Tony Brown T 79 Glen Campbell 71 Sean Dowling 75 Erik Rosenmeier C 63 Rick Schulte T 64 Joe Silipo 62 Don Sommer Defensive linemen 41 Ira Albright DT/FB 91 Jack Bravyak 90 Arnold Campbell DE 93 Scott Hernandez 74 Joe McGrail 74 Richard Tharpe 94 Billy Witt DELinebackers 92 Will Cokeley 50 Bob LeBlanc 52 Scott Schankweiler 96 Craig Walls 53 Scott Watters 60 Al Wenglikowski Defensive backs 20 John Armstrong 21 Gerald Bess 25 Bill Callahan 36 Steve Clark 39 Larry Friday 27 John Lewis 40 Chip Nuzzo 23 Kerry Parker  9 David Martin Special teams  5 Rick Partridge P  3 Todd Schlopy K Roster 1987 Buffalo Bills 12 Jim Kelly 14 Frank Reich 35 Carl Byrum 33 Ronnie Harmon 41 Jamie Mueller y 30 Kerry Porter y 26 Ricky Porter 24 Lionel Vital 81 Walter Broughton 85 Chris Burkett 86 Trumaine Johnson wide receiver 83 Andre Reed 89 Steve Tasker 88 Pete Metzelaars 84 Keith McKeller y 87 Butch Rolle 61 Leonard Burton T 70 Joe Devlin American football T 59 Mitch Frerotte y G 67 Kent Hull C 51 Jim Ritcher G 62 Mark Traynowicz G/C 65 Tim Vogler G 73 Will Wolford T 95 Sean McNanie DE 74 Bruce Mesner y NT 79 Dean Prater DE 96 Leon Seals y DE 76 Fred Smerlas NT 78 Bruce Smith defensive end DE 55 Cornelius Bennett y OLB 50 Ray Bentley ILB 58 Shane Conlan y ILB 53 Tony Furjanic ILB 52 John Kaiser American football OLB 97 Scott Radecic ILB 56 Darryl Talley OLB 29 Derrick Burroughs CB 21 Wayne Davis cornerback CB 45 Dwight Drane SS 47 Kirby Jackson y CB 38 Mark Kelso FS 25 Roland Mitchell y CB 37 Nate Odomes y CB 27 Ron Pitts SS 42 Durwood Roquemore FS  2 Willie Beecher y K  4 John Kidd American football P 63 Adam Lingner LS 11 Scott Norwood K 68 Tony Brown offensive lineman T IR 80 Jerry Butler American football WR IR -- Reggie Bynum y WR IR -- Roger Caron American football T DNR -- Chas Fox WR IR 99 Hal Garner LB IR  8 Stan Gelbaugh QB IR 75 Mike Hamby DE IR 92 Steve Hammond American football LB IR 71 Dale Hellestrae T IR 20 Flip Johnson y WR IR -- Joe Howard WR (IR) 10px 48 Lawrence Johnson American football S IR 54 Eugene Marve LB IR 13 Brian McClure QB IR 94 Mark Pike DE IR 40 Robb Riddick RB IR -- Clint Sampson WR IR Regular season Cornerback Nate Odomes was the youngest starting defensive player in the NFL. It was also his rookie season. Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance 1 September 13 New York Jets L 31–28 0–1 76,718 2 September 20 Houston Oilers W 34–30 1–1 56,534 – September 27 at Dallas Cowboys canceled 3 October 4 Indianapolis Colts L 47–6 1–2 9,860 4 October 11 at New England Patriots L 14–7 1–3 11,878 5 October 18 New York Giants W 6–3 2–3 15,737 6 October 25 at Miami Dolphins W 34–31 OT 3–3 61,295 7 November 1 Washington Redskins L 27–7 3–4 71,640 8 November 8 Denver Broncos W 21–14 4–4 63,698 9 November 15 at Cleveland Browns L 27–21 4–5 78,409 10 November 22 at New York Jets W 17–14 5–5 58,407 11 November 29 Miami Dolphins W 27–0 6–5 68,055 12 December 6 at Los Angeles Raiders L 34–21 6–6 43,143 13 December 13 at Indianapolis Colts W 27–3 7–6 60,253 14 December 20 New England Patriots L 13–7 7–7 74,945 15 December 27 at Philadelphia Eagles L 17–7 7–8 57,547Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 2 Oilers 3 14 3 10 Bills 3 10 0 21 September 20 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 1:00 p.m. EST 62 °F °C 1; wind 8 mph km/h knots Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy NBC yes 1 BUF Scott Norwood 45 yard field goal Bills 3–0 1 HOU Tony Zendejas 52 yard field goal Tie 3–3 2 HOU Drew Hill 2 yard pass from Warren Moon (Tony Zendejas kick) Oilers 10–3 2 BUF Scott Norwood 38 yard field goal Oilers 10–6 2 HOU Mike Rozier 8 yard run (Tony Zendejas kick) Oilers 17–6 2 BUF Robb Riddick 11 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) Oilers 17–13 3 HOU Tony Zendejas 27 yard field goal Oilers 20–13 4 BUF Andre Reed 8 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) Tie 20–20 4 HOU Ernest Givens 12 yard pass from Warren Moon (Tony Zendejas kick) Oilers 27–20 4 HOU Tony Zendejas 30 yard field goal Oilers 30–20 4 BUF Robb Riddick 2 yard run (Scott Norwood kick) Oilers 30–27 4 BUF Ronnie Harmon 2 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) Bills 34–30 yes Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 6 Buffalo Bills (2–3) at Miami Dolphins (2–3) Bills 0 3 14 14 3 Dolphins 14 7 0 10 0 October 25, 1987 Joe Robbie Stadium 1:00 p.m. EST 61,295 78 °F °C 1; wind 10 mph km/h knots Pat Haggerty Jim Donovan and Paul Maguire NBC . Retrieved 2021-Jul-19. Week 7 Washington Redskins (5–1) at Buffalo Bills (3–3) Redskins 3 14 10 0 Bills 0 0 0 7 November 1, 1987 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 1:00 p.m. EST 71,640 52 °F °C 1; wind 7 mph km/h knots Jerry Markbreit Dick Stockton and Terry Bradshaw CBS . Retrieved 2021-Jun-05. Week 8 Buffalo Bills 1987 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Eight: Denver Broncos (4–2–1) at Buffalo Bills (3–4) November 8, 1987 1:00 p.m. EST Broncos 0 0 7 7 Bills 0 18 3 0 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 63,698 50 °F or; wind 17 mph km/h knots Dick Jorgensen NBC Gary Gerould and Reggie Rucker Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-Feb-19. First quarter No scoring Second quarter BUF – Andre Reed 9 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 7–0 BUF – Safety, Robb Riddick blocked punt through end zone. Bills 9–0 BUF – Robb Riddick 1 yard rush (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 16–0 BUF – Safety, Steve Tasker blocked punt through end zone. Bills 18–0 Third quarter BUF – Scott Norwood 30-yard field goal. Bills 21–0. DEN – Sammy Winder 6 yard rush (Rich Karlis kick). Bills 21–7. Fourth quarter DEN – Vance Johnson 15 yard pass from John Elway (Rich Karlis kick). Bills 21–14. Top passers DEN – John Elway – 13/30, 163 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD BUF – Jim Kelly – 14/23, 135 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD Top rushers DEN – Sammy Winder – 12 rushes, 40 yards, 1 TD BUF – Robb Riddick – 19 rushes, 78 yards, 1 TD Top receivers DEN – Vance Johnson – 5 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD BUF – Andre Reed – 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD Cornelius Bennett’s first game as a Buffalo Bill, wearing #55. Steve Tasker blocked punt just before halftime resulting in a safety and 18–0 halftime score. Week 9 Bills 7 0 0 14 Browns 3 14 7 3 November 15 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 1:00 PM EST 78,409 48 °F °C 1 or; wind 7 mph km/h knots Gene Barth Tom Hammond and Michael Jackson NBC Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 11 vs Dolphins Buffalo Bills 1987 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins (5–5) at Buffalo Bills (5–5) November 29 1:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 0 0 0 0 Bills 0 21 3 3 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 68,055 48 F C 1 or Red Cashion NBC Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy Box Score, Box Score First quarter No scoring Second quarter BUF – Jamie Mueller 5-yard run (Scott Norwood kick), 14:51. Bills 7–0. BUF – Butch Rolle 3-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick), 5:58. Bills 14–0. BUF – Chris Burkett 22-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick), 1:02. Bills 21–0. Third quarter BUF – Scott Norwood 39-yard field goal, 10:01. Bills 24–0. Fourth quarter BUF – Scott Norwood 28-yard field goal, 7:52. Bils 27–0. Top passers MIA – Dan Marino – 13/28, 165 yards, 3 INT BUF – Jim Kelly – 15/21, 217 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIA – Troy Stradford – 15 rushes, 23 yards BUF – Ronnie Harmon – 23 rushes, 119 yards Top receivers MIA – Ron Davenport – 3 receptions, 41 yards BUF – Andre Reed – 4 receptions, 96 yards Week 12 Bills 0 14 7 0 Raiders 10 3 14 7 December 6, 1987 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 4:00pm EST 48 °F °C 1 or; wind 7 mph km/h knots Ben Dreith Gary Gerould and Dave Casper NBC Week 15 Buffalo Bills (7–7) at Philadelphia Eagles (6–8) Bills 0 0 0 7 Eagles 0 10 7 0 December 27, 1987 Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, PA 1:00 EST 35 °F °C 1; wind 10 mph km/h knots Tom Hammond NBC Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 2022-Mar-23. Standings Player stats Passing Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions Player Games Comp Att Yards TD INT Rating Jim Kelly 12 250 419 2798 19 11 83.8 John Kidd 12 0 1 0 0 0 39.6 Dan Manucci 3 7 21 68 0 2 3.8 Brian McClure 1 20 38 181 0 3 32.9 Mark Miller 1 1 3 9 0 1 2.8 Robb Riddick 6 1 1 35 0 0 118.7 Willie Totten 2 13 33 155 2 2 49.41987 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players – Pro-Football-Reference.com Rushing Player Games Attempts Yards Avg TD Ronnie Harmon 12 116 485 2 Jamie Mueller 1282 354 2 Carl Byrum 13 66 280 0 Robb Riddick 6 59 221 5 Ricky Porter 947 177 0 Jim Kelly 1229 133 0 Receiving Player Games Number Yards Avg TD Chris Burkett 12 56 765 13.7 4 Andre Reed 12 57 752 13.2 5 Ronnie Harmon 12 56 477 8.5 2 Pete Metzelaars 12 28 290 10.4 0 Trumaine Johnson 12 15 186 12.4 2 Defense Note: FR = Fumble Recoveries; TCKL = Tackles; INT = Interceptions; TD = Touchdowns Player Games Sacks Forced Fumbles FR Tckl INT Yards TD Shane Conlan 12 0.5 1 0 114 0 0 0 Bruce Smith 12 12.0 3 0 2 0 0 0 Special teams Note: FGA = Field Goals Attempted; FGM = Field Goals Made; FG% = Field goal percentage; XPA = Extra Points Attempted; XPM = Extra Points Made; XP% = Extra points percentage Player Games FGA FGM FG % XPA XPM XP % Scott Norwood 12 15 10 66.7 31 31 100 Todd Schlopy 3 5 2 40 2 1 50 Punting Player Games Punts Yards Long Blocked Avg. yards John Kidd 12 64 2495 67 0 39.0 Rick Partridge 3 18 678 52 1 37.7 Awards and honors Defensive Rookie of the Yearhttp://football.about.com/od/nflhistory/l/bl_awardsrookie.htm NFL Rookie of the Year January 30, 2009 September 20, 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050920050937/http://football.about.com/od/nflhistory/l/bl_awardsrookie.htm dead Shane Conlan Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player Bruce Smith References External links 1987 Buffalo Bills at Pro-Football-Reference.com Category:Buffalo Bills seasons Buffalo Bills Buff