Buffalo Bills Playoff History

The Buffalo Bills play in the AFC East division of the NFL. The franchise was part of the American Football League when it was established in 1959 and won AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. After the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the Bills had a major number of playoff performances during the 1980s and 1990s especially in the early years of the 90s when the team went to four straight Super Bowls between 1991 and 1994. Unfortunately, the team came empty-handed on all four of those occasions.

The Buffalo Bills endured a playoff drought between 2000 and 2016, the longest faced by any professional sports team across the four major American leagues. The Bills came first once again in the AFC East Division in the 2023-24 season, making it to five consecutive playoff appearances since 2019. The Bills have made it to 23 playoffs to date. Here is a look at the Buffalo Bills' playoff history.

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Buffalo Bills Playoff Appearances by Year

2023 Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round (24-27)

2022 Lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round (10-27)

2021 Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round in overtime (36-42)

2020 Lost the Conference Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs (24-38)

2019 Knocked out in the Wild Card Round by the Houston Texans in overtime (19-22)

2017 Lost the Wild Card Round against the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10)

1999 Knocked out in the Wild Card Round by the Tennessee Titans (16-22)

1998 Lost the Wild Card Round against the Miami Dolphins (17-24)

1996 Lost Wild Card Round (27-30) to Jacksonville Jaguars

1995 Lost the Divisional Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers (21-40)

1993 Lost the Super Bowl to the Dallas Cowboys (13-30)

1992 Lost the Super Bowl against the Dallas Cowboys (17-52)

1991 Lost the Super Bowl (24-37) against the Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Football Team)

1990 Lost the Super Bowl (19-20) against the New York Giants

1989 Lost the Divisional Round to the Cleveland Browns (30-34)

1988 Lost the Conference Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals (10-21)

1981 Lost the Divisional Round against the Cincinnati Bengals (21-28)

1980 Lost the Divisional Round against the San Diego Chargers (14-20)

1974 Lost Divisional Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers (14-32)

1966 Lost the Conference Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs (7-31)

1965 Won the AFL Championship by defeating the San Diego Chargers (now known as the L.A. Chargers) in a blowout (23-0)

1964 Won the AFL Championship by defeating the San Diego Chargers (20-7)

1963 Lost the Divisional round (8-26) to the Boston Patriots (now known as the New England Patriots)

Playoff Games Won by Buffalo Bills

Total Playoff games played: 40

Playoff (wins-losses): 19-21

Wild Card Round wins: 7 (out of 12 games)

Divisional Round wins: 6 (out of 15 games)

Conference Championship wins: 4 (out of 7 games)

Super Bowl: 0 wins (out of 4 games)

AFL Championships: 2 (out of 2 games)

How many playoff games has Bruce Smith played at the Highmark Stadium?

Bruce Smith is one of the most celebrated defensive players in the history of the NFL. Bruce Smith played for the Buffalo Bills for 15 seasons (1985-1999) and was inducted into the Pro- Football Hall of Fame in 2009. Smith appeared in 21 playoff games (in 10 playoff appearances) with the Buffalo Bills. Smith received 11 Pro Bowl selections and even appeared in 4 consecutive Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills. Smith played 10 playoff games at the Highmark Stadium out of the 21 playoff games he played for the Bills. In his entire career with the Bills, Bruce Smith recorded 941 tackles, 171 sacks, and 35 forced fumbles. His record of 200 sacks still stands as of 2024.

How many times have the Buffalo Bills made the playoffs with Bruce Smith, Jim Kelly, and Andre Reed?

Bruce Smith (defensive end), Jim Kelly (quarterback), and Andre Reed (wide receiver) have appeared in 8 playoffs with the Buffalo Bills. Here are the playoff games where all three players have appeared for the Bills.

Buffalo Bills Championships and Rings Won

The Buffalo Bills have won two AFL Championships. They also won the Championship Rings twice before the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. However, despite going to the big game on four consecutive occasions in the early 90s, they have yet to win a ring in the NFL's Super Bowl era.

1964 (AFL Championship)

1965 (AFL Championship)

Buffalo Bills Overall Playoff Stats

Total Playoff Games Played: 40

Overall Playoff Record (Wins-Losses): 19-21

Total Super Bowls Won: 0 (4 Appearances)

AFL Championships Won: 2 (2 appearances)

All-time Passing Leader: Jim Kelly 2,874/4,779, 35,467 yds, 237 TD

All-time Rushing Leader: Thurman Thomas 2,849 att, 11,938 yds, 65 TD

All-time Receiving Leader: Andre Reed 941 rec, 13,095 yds, 86 TD

All-time Scoring Leader: Steve Christie 1,011 points

All-time AV Leader: Bruce Smith 201 AV

Coach with most Wins: Marv Levy 112-70-0

Buffalo Bills Super Bowl Stats

Total Super Bowl Appearances: 4

Super Bowls Won: 0

Lowest Scoring Super Bowl Loss: 17-52 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1993 Super Bowl