History of the Buffalo Bills

Few cities are as synonymous with their football teams as Buffalo is to the Bills. They are an original AFL franchise dating back to that league’s founding in 1960, but it almost didn’t happen. Owner Ralph Wilson first wanted to open the franchise in Miami. But was thwarted by the Orange Bowl’s restriction against any events but college football.

So Buffalo it was, and a marriage between a team and the citizens of blue collar Western New York was formed. Famous today for cold weather sellouts and pre-game table diving.

The Bills are the only team in NFL history to play in four consecutive Super Bowls. An impressive feat that is overshadowed by the painful distinction of being the only team in NFL history to lose four consecutive Super Bowls.

The height of the Bills success was during those early years of the 1990s. Those teams turned out a number of Pro Football Hall of Famers.

The head coach of those teams was Marv Levy, and he was enshrined in Canton in 2001. The former high school English teacher won a pair of Grey Cups in Canada before leading the Bills to four AFC championships.

Hall of Fame players from those four Super Bowl teams feature quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Andre Reed, and defensive end Bruce Smith. The former No. 1 overall pick was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a First-team All-Pro eight times. Also, he holds the all-time NFL record with 200 career sacks.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame with Smith in 2009 was team founder and owner Ralph Wilson. The last of the original AFL owners to own his team. Also, the third longest-tenured owner in NFL history, only trailing George Halas (Bears)  and Art Rooney (Steelers).

NFL Big Changes from Last Season – Buffalo Bills

In each of the last two seasons the Bills have seen their season end at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Following the 2020 season, the Bills lost to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game by 14 points. Last year they lost to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round by 13 seconds.

That was the time it took for the Bills to go from a game-winning touchdown pass to set up a Championship Game in Buffalo, to seeing Patrick Mahomes steal away the win and send them back to Buffalo in defeat.

Not surprisingly the biggest investment the Bills made this offseason was in the pass rush. Von Miller has 13.0 career sacks against the Chiefs. Even if the Bills didn’t say it outright, he is now in Buffalo to achieve one main goal. Get past Kansas City in the playoffs.

Miller is 33-years-old now and perhaps he’s lost a step or two. If he can help get the Bills to another Super Bowl, the $51.4 in guaranteed money on his $120 million contract will seem like a bargain.

Another big addition to the Bills is rookie running back James Cook. Other than when Josh Allen ran the ball, the 2021 Bills rushing attack was quite pedestrian. Devin Singletary led the team in rushing. He was just 16th in the NFL. Cook, who is also a great receiving threat out of the backfield, makes this already great offense even better.

The other big time addition is rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam out of Florida. Elam is slated to start opposite Tre’Davious White. He will play a big role this season in stopping the Dolphins upgraded passing attack in the AFC East. Also, the Chiefs passing attack in a potential playoff meeting for the third straight year.

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* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.