1996 Buffalo Bills season

37th season in franchise history; final one with Jim Kelly November 2013 March 2026 Buffalo Bills 1996 10–6 2nd AFC East Marv Levy Tom Bresnahan Wade Phillips John Butler Ralph Wilson Rich Stadium Lost Wild Card Playoffs(vs. Jaguars) 27–30 4 DE Bruce Smith DT Bryce Paup G Ruben Brown DT Ted Washington Bruce Smith (1st team) Bills seasons The 1996 season was the Buffalo Bills' 27th in the National Football League (NFL), their 37th overall (all of those under the ownership of Ralph Wilson) and their 10th full season under head coach Marv Levy. It was also the final season for long-time Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. The team matched their previous season's record of 10–61996 Buffalo Bills Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1996.htm 2024-12-02 Pro-Football-Reference.com en and qualified for the playoffs, for the second consecutive season and eighth time in nine seasons. The Bills were upset at home in the wild card playoffs by the 9–7 Jacksonville Jaguars, 30–27. The game winner was a 45-yard field goal from future Bills kicker Mike Hollis, sealing the agonizing defeat.https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/01/sports/kelly-retires-from-the-bills-after-11-years.html Kelly Retires From the Bills After 11 Years The Associated Press The New York Times February 1, 1997 This was the last time the Bills hosted a playoff game until 2020. Offseason Additions SubtractionsLB Chris Spielman (Lions) LB Cornelius Bennett (Falcons)WR Quinn Early (Saints) WR Bill Brooks (Redskins)DT Shawn Price (Panthers) FB Carwell Gardner (Ravens) FS Matt Darby (Cardinals) NFL draft 1996 NFL draft 1996 Buffalo Bills 1 24 Eric Moulds WR Mississippi State yes yes 2 53 Gabe Northern DE LSU Pick from CHI yes 3 80 Matt Stevens SS Appalachian State yes 4 120 Sean Moran DE Colorado State yes - center 5 156 Ray Jackson DB Colorado State yes 6 196 Leon Neal RB TCU 7 237 Dan Bradenburg DE Indiana State yes 6 202 Dusty Zeigler C Notre Dame yes 7 244 Jay Riemersma TE Michigan yes 7 249 Eric Smedley DB Indiana yes Mississippi State wide receiver Eric Moulds went on to be the second-leading receiver in Bills history (behind only Andre Reed), with 675 catches for 9,096 yards. He was elected to three Pro Bowls, in 1998, 2000 and 2002. Undrafted free agents + 1996 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeDennis AllenDefensive backTexas A&MArmando AvinKickerNevadaJason BrattonRunning backGrambling StateTim ColstonDefensive TackleKansas StateRobert DeshotelLinebackerLSUMatt MeserveyGuardBYUMike MaxwellQuarterbackNevadaMike RockwoodTackleNevadaHarry Van HofwegenDefensive endCarleton Personnel Staff/coaches 1996 Buffalo Bills staff Front office Owner/President – Ralph Wilson Executive vice president of administration/general manager – John Butler Assistant general manager/director of pro personnel – Bob Ferguson Director of player personnel – Dwight Adams Assistant director/collegiate scouting – A. J. Smith Alumni Relations / Director of Player Development - Jerry Butler Coaching staff Vice president for football operations/head coach – Marv Levy Assistant Head Coach - Elijah Pitts Administrative assistant to the head coach – Chuck LesterOffensive coaches Offensive coordinator/offensive line – Tom Bresnahan Quarterbacks - Jim Shofner Running backs – Elijah Pitts Receivers – Charlie Joiner Offensive quality control/tight ends – Don Lawrence Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator– Wade Phillips Defensive line – Don Sekanovich Linebackers - Ted Cottrell Assistant linebackers coach – Chuck Lester Defensive backs – Dick Roach Special teams Special teams – Bruce DeHaven Strength & conditioning Strength and conditioning coordinator – Rusty Jones Roster 1996 Buffalo Bills 15 Todd Collins quarterback 12 Jim Kelly 10 Alex Van Pelt 45 Carey Bender 29 Jason Bratton y 44 Darick Holmes 34 Thurman Thomas 33 Tim Tindale FB 82 Chris Brantley 85 Russell Copeland KR/PR 88 Quinn Early 80 Eric Moulds y KR 83 Andre Reed 89 Steve Tasker WR 86 Tony Cline Jr. 87 Rob Coons 49 Jay Riemersma y 84 Lonnie Johnson American football 79 Ruben Brown G 70 John Fina T 67 Kent Hull C 72 Corey Louchiey T 60 Jerry Ostroski T 74 Glenn Parker G 61 Dusty Zeigler y C 90 Phil Hansen American football DE 77 Jim Jeffcoat NT 98 Sean Moran y DE 94 Mark Pike DE 91 Shawn Price DE 78 Bruce Smith DE 92 Ted Washington NT 96 Dan Brandenburg OLB y 57 Damien Covington ILB 55 Mark Maddox ILB 99 Gabe Northern OLB y 95 Bryce Paup OLB 58 Marlo Perry ILB 59 Sam Rogers linebacker OLB 54 Chris Spielman ILB 51 David White American football OLB 22 Jeff Burris CB/PR 27 Ken Irvin CB 31 Raymond Jackson American football y CB 46 Marlon Kerner CB 21 Manny Martin CB/S 24 Kurt Schulz FS 40 Eric Smedley y FS 28 Thomas Smith cornerback CB 23 Matt Stevens safety y SS 76 Ethan Albright LS  2 Steve Christie K  9 Chris Mohr P 81 Justin Armour WR IR 52 John Holecek LB IR 20 Henry Jones American football SS IR 68 Corbin Lacina G IR 53 active, 4 inactive, 3 practice squad 62 Dave Hack G 93 Jerold Jeffcoat y NT 73 Mike Rockwood T Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 August 2, 1996 Washington Redskins L 7–17 0–1 Rich Stadium Recap 2 August 8, 1996 at Minnesota Vikings W 35–12 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 3 August 17, 1996 at Carolina Panthers W 24–0 2–1 Ericsson Stadium Recap 4 August 23, 1996 Baltimore Ravens L 14–37 2–2 Rich Stadium Recap Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 1 at New York Giants W 23–20 (OT) 1–0 Giants Stadium Recap 2 September 8 New England Patriots W 17–10 2–0 Rich Stadium Recap 3 September 16, 1996 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 6–24 2–1 Three Rivers Stadium Recap 4 September 22 Dallas Cowboys W 10–7 3–1 Rich Stadium Recap 5Bye 6 October 6 Indianapolis Colts W 16–13 (OT) 4–1 Rich Stadium Recap 7 October 13 Miami Dolphins L 7–21 4–2 Rich Stadium Recap 8 October 20 at New York Jets W 25–22 5–2 Giants Stadium Recap 9 October 27 at New England Patriots L 25–28 5–3 Foxboro Stadium Recap 10 November 3 Washington Redskins W 38–13 6–3 Rich Stadium Recap 11 November 10 at Philadelphia Eagles W 24–17 7–3 Veterans Stadium Recap 12 November 17 Cincinnati Bengals W 31–17 8–3 Rich Stadium Recap 13 November 24 New York Jets W 35–10 9–3 Rich Stadium Recap 14 December 1 at Indianapolis Colts L 10–13 (OT) 9–4 RCA Dome Recap 15 December 8 at Seattle Seahawks L 18–26 9–5 Kingdome Recap 16 December 16, 1996 at Miami Dolphins L 14–16 9–6 Pro Player Stadium Recap 17 December 22 Kansas City Chiefs W 20–9 10–6 Rich Stadium Recap Game summaries Week 1 Bills 0 7 10 3 3 Giants 3 14 3 0 0 September 1 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 8:00 p.m. 74,218 72 F C • 9 mph km/h knot Gary Lane Verne Lundquist, and Pat Haden NFL on TNT yes 1 NYG Brad Daluiso 22 yard field goal Giants 3–0 2 NYG Amani Toomer 87 yard punt return (Brad Daluiso kick) Giants 10–0 2 NYG Charles Way 37 yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick) Giants 17–0 2 BUF Thurman Thomas 1 yard run (Steve Christie kick) Giants 17–7 3 NYG Brad Daluiso 34 yard field goal Giants 20–7 3 BUF Steve Christie 28 yard field goal Giants 20–10 3 BUF Andre Reed 60 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick) Giants 20–17 4 BUF Steve Christie 39 yard field goal Tie 20–20 OT BUF Steve Christie 34 yard field goal Bills 23–20 yes Pro-Football-Reference.com, Week 2 The Bills upended the Patriots 17–10. Quinn Early caught a 63-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for Buffalo, then the Bills stopped the Patriots inside their five-yard line in the final seconds. Week 3 The Bills' first Monday Night appearance ended in ugly fashion as the Steelers erupted to more rushing yards (222 with two touchdowns from ex-Ram Jerome Bettis) than the Bills had total yards of offense (185). Carnell Lake picked off Jim Kelly and ran back a 47-yard score, part of a 24–6 Steelers win. Bills 3 0 3 0 Steelers 7 17 0 0 September 16 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA 9:00 p.m. EST 59,002 57 F C • 6 mph km/h knot Larry Nemmers Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf, and Lynn Swann(on field reporting) ABC Monday Night Football Pro-Football-Reference.com, Week 4 The Bills hosted the defending Super Bowl champs who were 1–2 and fell to 1–3 as Buffalo rushed for 135 yards and a Thurman Thomas score while intercepting Troy Aikman three times; the last came in the final minute, and Aikman was tackled awkwardly by Bruce Smith, necessitating a Monday examination of his ankle. Jim Kelly was injured, as Todd Collins was the starting quarterback for Buffalo. Cowboys 0 0 0 7 Bills 7 0 3 0 September 22 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 1:00 p.m. EST 78,098 61 F C • 12 mph km/h knot Dale Hamer Pat Summerall, John Madden Fox NFL https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609220buf.htm Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills - September 22nd, 1996 Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 5 Bye week Week 6 The Bills hosted the Colts, the league's last undefeated team. They clawed to a 10-3 lead in the second as Todd Collins (quarterback) threw his first NFL touchdown pass of his career. Marshall Faulk's touchdown in the fourth tied the game; an exchange of field goals put the game into overtime tied 13-13 where Steve Christie won it from 39 yards out. Vegas Line: Buffalo Bills -3.5 Starting QBs: Indianapolis Colts: Jim Harbaugh / Buffalo Bills: Todd Collins (quarterback) Indianapolis Colts (4-0) at Buffalo Bills (3-1) Colts 0 0 3 10 0 Bills 0 7 3 3 3 October 6, 1996 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 4:00 p.m. EST 79,401 52 F C • 8 mph km/h knot Red Cashion Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy NFL on NBC https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610060buf.htm Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 6th, 1996 Pro-Football-Reference.com IND BUF collapsed 2 9:42 Bills 10 80 5:01 RecTD Andre Reed Todd Collins (quarterback) 30 good Steve Christie run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 3 9:59 Bills 5 69 1:05 FG 42 Steve Christie 0 10 3 7:16 Colts 8 50 2:43 FG 44 Cary Blanchard 3 10 4 14:57 Colts 11 81 5:11 RushTD Marshall Faulk 1 good Cary Blanchard run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 10 4 8:25 Colts 6 16 2:39 FG 41 Cary Blanchard 13 10 4 0:15 Bills 11 54 1:46 FG 37 Steve Christie 13 13 OT 5:42 Bills 9 26 4:20 FG 39 Steve Christie 13 16 13 16 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610060buf.htm Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 6th, 1996 Pro-Football-Reference.com left nfl Indianapolis Colts 1984thru2001 y Colts Buffalo Bills 1974thru2001 Bills Jim Harbaugh 17/42, 203 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT Marshall Faulk 20 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD Marvin Harrison 5 receptions, 88 yards Todd Collins (quarterback) 23/44, 309 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT Thurman Thomas 18 carries, 69 yards Thurman Thomas 8 receptions, 111 yards right nfl Indianapolis Colts 1984thru2001 y Colts Buffalo Bills 1974thru2001 Bills 16 72-249 30-86 163 17-42-0 34:32 20 78-412 34-113 299 23-44-0 34:50 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610060buf.htm Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 6th, 1996 Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 7 Craig Erickson started for Dan Marino and the Dolphins led 14–7 late in the fourth on scores by Irving Spikes and Karim Abdul-Jabbar. Kelly completed a deep pass to Andre Reed and Reed was stopped at the 1-yard line by Terrell Buckley; the Dolphins held the Bills on the first three downs and Kelly was flagged for intentional grounding, forcing 4th and goal from the 11; Kelly's pass was picked off by Buckley at the 9 and Buckley ran back a 91-yard score. Reacting to fan booing after the 21–7 loss, a disconsolate Kelly said, "We deserved to be booed." Week 8 The Bills traveled to face the 0–7 New York Jets and kicker Steve Christie had a major workload as he booted five field goals to support a Darick Holmes score and to offset three touchdowns by ex-Bill Frank Reich (two to Keyshawn Johnson, one to Wayne Chrebet) and a two-point conversion to Kyle Brady. Christie's sixth field goal finished off a 25–22 Bills win. Buffalo Bills (4-2) at New York Jets (0-7) Bills 3 3 3 16 Jets 7 0 8 7 October 20 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 4:00 PM EST 49,775 55 F C • 10 mph km/h knot Walt Coleman Charlie Jones (sportscaster), and Randy Cross NFL on NBC https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610200nyj.htm Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - October 20th, 1996 Pro-Football-Reference.com Week 9 On Sunday Night the Bills traveled to Foxboro Stadium and the ensuing game left them tied with the Patriots and Colts for the AFC East lead at 5–3. After trailing 13–0 the Bills clawed back despite a safety given up on an endzone penalty against Jim Kelly; the Bills led 18–15 in the fourth. With 1:25 to go Curtis Martin scored but Adam Vinatieri missed the PAT. Kelly was then intercepted by Willie McGinest and McGinest ran back a 46-yard score, but the Bills on a 48-yard score to Andre Reed pulled to within 28–25 with 30 seconds left; the ensuing onside kick was recovered by ex-Dolphin recently signed by the Patriots Keith Byars. Bills 0 0 10 15 Patriots 7 6 2 13 October 27 Foxboro Stadium - Foxborough, Massachusetts 8:00 PM EST 58,858 54 F C • 8 mph km/h knot Dick Hantak Verne Lundquist, and Pat Haden NFL on TNT Week 10 The Bills hosted the Washington Redskins and Darick Holmes had the game of his career as the Bills rushed for 266 yards (outgaining the entirety of the Skins offense by 28 yards) and five scores, four of them by Holmes. The Bills reached 6–3 with the 38–13 win while the Skins' seven-game winning streak crashed to a halt. Week 11 The Bills finished the NFC East portion of their schedule by upending the Eagles 24–17, thus sweeping the NFC East 4-0. Despite being outgained in total yards (385 to 252) the Bills forced two Eagles fumbles and also scored on a blocked punt. Starting QBs: BUF=Jim Kelly vs PHI=Ty Detmer Head Coach: BUF=Marv Levy vs PHI=Ray Rhodes Vegas Line= Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 Buffalo Bills (6-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) Bills 7 10 7 0 Eagles 10 0 0 7 November 10, 1996 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1:00 p.m. EST 66,613 42 F C • 12 mph km/h knot Johnny Grier Charlie Jones (sportscaster) and Randy Cross NFL on NBC BUF PHI collapsed 1 10:22 Eagles 7 74 3:16 RecTD Kevin Turner (running back) Ty Detmer 23 good Gary Anderson (placekicker) run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 8:31 Bills 1 18 0:07 Other Tom Hutton (American football) punt blocked by Gabe Northern 18 yard TD return (Steve Christie kick) 7 7 1 1:20 Eagles 15 70 7:11 FG 23 Gary Anderson (placekicker) 7 10 2 2:23 Bills 16 64 7:31 RushTD Thurman Thomas 5 good Steve Christie run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 10 2 0:36 Bills 8 47 1:06 FG 38 Steve Christie 17 10 3 1:16 Bills 15 74 6:44 RecTD Quinn Early Jim Kelly 5 good Steve Christie run/pass good/failed/incomplete 24 10 4 10:27 Eagles 9 67 5:26 RecTD Irving Fryar Ty Detmer 10 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 24 17 24 17 Week 12 The 4-6 Bengals came to Rich Stadium on a three-game winning streak after the firing of David Shula and promotion of Bruce Coslet to head coach. The Bills didn't care as they rushed for 134 yards and touchdowns from Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas; the Bills led 31-7 in the fourth as the Bengals scored ten points, but could get no further as Buffalo won 31-17. Week 13 The Bills hosted the 1–11 Jets and erupted to a 28–3 lead by the fourth quarter; after a Frank Reich touchdown to Jeff Graham the Bills scored again on Eric Moulds' 97-yard kickoff return. The 35–10 win left the Bills at 9–3 entering a three-game road trip. Week 14 Starting a three-game road trip, the Bills traveled to Indianapolis where despite 307 yards of offense fell to the Colts 13-10 in overtime. Todd Collins started and was intercepted twice as the Colts forced overtime and won on Cary Blanchard's 49-yard field goal. The Colts started backup QB Paul Justin for this game as well. Bills 0 10 0 0 0 Colts 7 0 0 3 3 December 1 RCA Dome - Indianapolis, Indiana 1:00 PM EST 53,804 DOME Jerry Markbreit Marv Albert, and Sam Wyche NFL on NBC Week 15 The Bills traveled to the Kingdome where Seahawks kicker Todd Peterson booted four field goals while Kelly and Todd Collins combined for two touchdowns and three interceptions. Buffalo's five turnovers were key as Rick Mirer won 26-18 despite only nine completions of 23 attempts. Week 16 On Monday Night Football Buffalo's three-game road trip came up empty as the Bills fell to the Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium. Joe Nedney booted three field goals and Dan Marino had one touchdown. Jim Kelly had two scores but was picked off once. I was the first time the Bills had been swept by the Dolphins since 1986. Week 17 vs Chiefs Buffalo Bills 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Game summary December 22 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST Chiefs 3 3 3 0 Bills 0 3 3 14 Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 68,671 Light snow, 33 F C Gerry Austin NBC Marv Albert, Sam Wyche and Jim Gray Recap, Game Book First quarter KC – Pete Stoyanovich 19-yard field goal, 5:18. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:52. Second quarter KC – Pete Stoyanovich 24-yard field goal, 10:46. Chiefs 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 9 yards, 4:07. BUF – Steve Christie 41-yard field goal, 2:54. Chiefs 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:14. Third quarter KC – Pete Stoyanovich 26-yard field goal, 11:22. Chiefs 9–3. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:25. BUF – Steve Christie 42-yard field goal, 2:16. Chiefs 9–6. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:20. Fourth quarter BUF – Tony Cline 4-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick), 12:23. Bills 13–9. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:42. BUF – Quinn Early 4-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick), 4:13. Bills 20–9. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:55. Top passers KC – Steve Bono – 14/28, 138 yards, 2 INT BUF – Jim Kelly – 20/29, 279 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers KC – Marcus Allen – 20 rushes, 87 yards BUF – Thurman Thomas – 17 rushes, 43 yards Top receivers KC – Kimble Anders – 7 receptions, 49 yards BUF – Steve Tasker – 4 receptions, 87 yards right 1996 Chiefs at Bills – NBC game broadcast 1996 Chiefs at Bills – NFL Primetime The Bills hosted the Chiefs with both teams needing the win to make the playoffs. Steve Bono was harassed all game long and held to just 138 yards with two picks. Jim Kelly rallied the Bills from down 9-6 with two touchdowns. The 20-9 win put the Bills into the playoffs as the AFC Wildcard home team while the Chiefs failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in the decade; it was Kansas City's fourth loss in the last five meetings with Buffalo. Playoffs (blacked out locally) Playoff round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap Wild Card December 28, 1996 Jacksonville Jaguars (5) L 30–27 0–1 Rich Stadium Recap The first-ever playoff game for the second-year Jaguars saw the game lead tie or change nine times. Natrone Means rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown while Mark Brunell threw for 239 yards, a score, and two interceptions; in the fourth Jeff Burris ran back a 38-yard score off a Brunell pick. The Jaguars rallied with two fourth-quarter scoring drives ending in a 45-yard field goal from future Bills kicker Mike Hollis. The game turned out to be the last home playoff game for the Bills until the 2020 season and the last home playoff game loss for the Bills until the 2022 season. Standings References Category:Buffalo Bills seasons Buffalo Bills Buff