2022 Buffalo Bills season
OwnerTerry and Kim Pegula
General managerBrandon Beane
Head coachSean McDermott
Home fieldHighmark Stadium
Ford Field[upper-roman 1]
Results
Record13–3
Division place1st AFC East
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Dolphins) 34–31
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Bengals) 10–27
Pro Bowlers
8
AP All-Pros
2
Uniform

The 2022 season was the Buffalo Bills' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 63rd as a franchise, their eighth full season under the ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula, and their sixth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane.

The Bills entered the 2022 season as two-time defending AFC East champions. The Bills clinched the AFC East for the third consecutive season and improved on their 11–6 record from last season. The Week 17 game against Cincinnati was declared a no-contest after Bills' safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. He was given CPR for ten minutes before being rushed to the hospital. Despite the incident, the Bills won their last game of the season to finish 13–3, tied for the best record in the history of the franchise, but they lost control of their destiny to clinch the number 1 seed in the AFC as a result of the cancellation, which allowed Kansas City to clinch the number 1 seed in the AFC the day before their last game of the regular season despite having the head-to-head tiebreaker.[1][2][3][4] In the playoffs, they defeated Miami, 34–31 in the wild-card round. However, they then fell to Cincinnati 27–10, losing in the divisional round for the second consecutive season.[5]

2022 was the final season in the Bills' lease on Highmark Stadium signed back in 2012. Negotiations were finalized and approved for the construction of a new stadium for the team by May 2023,[6] with construction beginning afterwards with a completion date before the 2026 season;[7] the team had stated that it would not renew its lease on Highmark Stadium unless an agreement for a new stadium was struck by the end of the 2022 season.[8]

Transactions

Arrivals

PositionPlayer2021 team(s)Date signedNotes
GRodger SaffoldTennessee TitansMarch 14, 2022[9]1 year / $6.25 million
DTDaQuan JonesCarolina PanthersMarch 16, 2022[10]2 years / $14 million
LBVon MillerDenver Broncos / Los Angeles RamsMarch 16, 2022[11]6 years / $120 million
DTTim SettleWashington Football TeamMarch 17, 2022[12]2 years / $9 million
DTJordan PhillipsArizona CardinalsMarch 17, 2022[13]1 year / $5 million
DEShaq LawsonNew York JetsMarch 18, 2022[14]1 year / $1.1875 million
QBMatt BarkleyTennessee Titans / Carolina Panthers / Atlanta FalconsMarch 21, 2022[15]1 year / $1.145 million
CGreg ManczMiami DolphinsMarch 21, 2022[16]1 year / $1.2725 million
WRJamison CrowderNew York JetsMarch 22, 2022[17]1 year / $2 million
RBDuke JohnsonMiami DolphinsMarch 22, 2022[18]1 year / $1.2725 million
TDavid QuessenberryTennessee TitansApril 21, 2022[19]1 year / $1.75 million
WRTavon AustinJacksonville JaguarsJune 2, 2022[20]1 year / $1.12 million
GGreg Van RotenNew York JetsJune 13, 2022[21]1 year / $1.2725 million
PSam MartinDenver BroncosAugust 31, 2022[22]1 year / $1.2725 million
TJustin MurrayArizona CardinalsSeptember 27, 2022[23]1 year / $1.035 million
CBXavier RhodesIndianapolis ColtsSeptember 28, 2022[24]1 year / $ .2772 million
FSJared MaydenPhiladelphia EaglesOctober 10, 2022[25]1 year / $ .207 million
WRJohn BrownLas Vegas Raiders / Denver Broncos / Jacksonville Jaguars / Tampa Bay BuccaneersNovember 26, 2022[26]1 year / $ .3582 million

Departures

PositionPlayer2022 teamDate signedNotes
RBAntonio WilliamsNew York GiantsJanuary 27, 2022[27]2 years / $1.585 million
QBDavis WebbNew York GiantsFebruary 7, 2022[28]1 year / $ .945 million
DTHarrison PhillipsMinnesota VikingsMarch 16, 2022[29]3 years / $19.5 million
GJon FelicianoNew York GiantsMarch 16, 2022[30]1 year / $3.25 million
QBMitchell TrubiskyPittsburgh SteelersMarch 17, 2022[31]2 years / $14.285 million
CBLevi WallacePittsburgh SteelersMarch 17, 2022[32]2 years / $8 million
RBMatt BreidaNew York GiantsMarch 21, 2022[33]1 year / $1.1875 million
DEEfe ObadaWashington CommandersMarch 23, 2022[34]1 year / $1.1875 million
DEMario AddisonHouston TexansMay 10, 2022[35]2 years / $7.7 million
DEJerry HughesHouston TexansMay 11, 2022[36]2 years / $10 million
PMatt HaackIndianapolis ColtsAugust 24, 2022[37]1 year / $1.035 million
CBNick McCloudNew York GiantsAugust 31, 2022[38]2 years / $1.765 million
FSJosh ThomasArizona CardinalsSeptember 1, 2022[39]1 year / $ .207 million
WRIsaiah HodginsNew York GiantsNovember 2, 2022[40] 2 years / $1.575 million
DTJustin ZimmerMiami DolphinsNovember 23, 2022[41]1 year / $1.035 million
WRMarquez StevensonCleveland BrownsDecember 14, 2022[42]1 year / $ .207 million
CBXavier RhodesDallas CowboysJanuary 7, 2023[43]1 year / $ .3582 million
TDaryl Williams—Free AgentReleased March 14, 2022[44]
DTVernon Butler—Free agentContract Expired March 16, 2022[45]
DEBryan Cox Jr.—Free agentContract Expired March 16, 2022[46]
DTStar Lotulelei—Free agentReleased March 18, 2022[47]
WREmmanuel Sanders—RetiredRetired September 7, 2022[48]
WRTavon Austin—Free agentReleased October 5, 2022[49]
LBAndre Smith—Free agentReleased October 17, 2022[50]
WRTanner Gentry—Free agentReleased January 17, 2023[51]
LBJoe Giles-Harris—Free agentReleased January 17, 2023[51]

Trades

PositionArrivedFromDate of trade Departed
QBCase KeenumCleveland BrownsMarch 20, 2022[52] 7th-round pick
G2023 5th-round pickArizona CardinalsAugust 22, 2022[53] Cody Ford
RBNyheim HinesIndianapolis ColtsNovember 1, 2022[54]Zack Moss2023 Conditional 6th-round pick
FSDean MarloweAtlanta FalconsNovember 1, 2022[55] 2023 7th-round pick

Draft

2022 Buffalo Bills Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
123 Kaiir ElamCBFloridafrom Ravens[upper-alpha 1]
25 Traded to the Baltimore Ravens[upper-alpha 1]
257 Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers[upper-alpha 2]
60 Traded to the Cincinnati Bengals[upper-alpha 3]from Buccaneers[upper-alpha 2]
63 James CookRBGeorgiafrom Bengals[upper-alpha 3]
389 Terrel BernardLBBaylor
4130 Traded to the Baltimore Ravens[upper-alpha 1]
5148 Khalil ShakirWRBoise Statefrom Bears[upper-alpha 4]
168 Traded to the Chicago Bears[upper-alpha 4]
6180 Matt AraizaPSan Diego Statefrom Buccaneers[upper-alpha 2]
185 Christian BenfordCBVillanovafrom Panthers[upper-alpha 5]
203 Traded to the Chicago Bears[upper-alpha 4]
209 Luke TenutaOTVirginia Techfrom Bengals[upper-alpha 3]
7231 Baylon SpectorLBClemsonfrom Falcons[upper-alpha 6]
246 Traded to the Cleveland Browns[upper-alpha 7]

Draft trades

  1. 1 2 3 The Bills traded first- and fourth-round selections (25th and 130th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a first-round selection (23rd overall).
  2. 1 2 3 The Bills traded a second-round selection (57th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for second- and sixth-round selections (60th and 180th overall).
  3. 1 2 3 The Bills traded a second-round selection (60th overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for second- and sixth-round selections (63rd and 209th overall).
  4. 1 2 3 The Bills traded fifth- and sixth-round selections (168th and 203rd overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fifth-round selection (148th overall).
  5. ↑ The Bills traded DE Darryl Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round selection (185th overall).[56]
  6. ↑ The Bills traded TE Lee Smith to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a seventh-round selection (231st overall).[57]
  7. ↑ The Bills traded a seventh-round selection (246th overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for QB Case Keenum.[52]

Undrafted free agents

2022 Buffalo Bills Undrafted Free Agents
NamePositionCollegeRef.
Alec Anderson OT UCLA [58]
Raheem Blackshear RB Virginia Tech
C. J. Brewer DT Coastal Carolina [59]
Prince Emili Penn
Travon Fuller CB Tulsa [58]
Ja'Marcus Ingram Buffalo [59]
Kingsley Jonathan DE Syracuse [58]
Derek Kerstetter OT Texas
Tanner Owen Northwest Missouri State
Neil Pau'u WR BYU
Will Ulmer OT Marshall [59]
Malik Williams WR Appalachian State [58]
Jalen Wydermyer TE Texas A&M

Staff

2022 Buffalo Bills staff
Front office
  • Owner/CEO – Terry Pegula
  • Owner/president – Kim Pegula
  • General manager – Brandon Beane
  • Assistant general manager – Brian Gaine
  • Director of player personnel – Terrance Gray
  • Senior advisor to the GM/football operations – Jim Overdorf
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Lake Dawson
  • Senior director of pro scouting – Malik Boyd
  • Assistant director of pro scouting/team advances – Chris Marrow
  • Assistant director of pro scouting/free agency – Curtis Rukavina
  • Vice president of football administration – Kevin Meganck
  • Director of football operations – Brendan Rowe
  • Senior personnel Executive – Matt Bazirgan

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Eric Ciano
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Hal Luther
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Will Greenberg
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Jason Oszvart
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Nick Lacy

Final roster

2022 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, 6 inactive, 16 practice squad

Preseason

The Bills' preseason opened with a last-second win against Indianapolis, after trailing 24–10 late in the 4th quarter. This extended their preseason win streak to a record 9 games. Following a Week 2 win over Denver, their streak ended at 10 games with a loss in Week 3 to Carolina.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Indianapolis Colts W 27–24 1–0 Highmark Stadium Recap
2 August 20 Denver Broncos W 42–15 2–0 Highmark Stadium Recap
3 August 26 at Carolina Panthers L 0–21 2–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Regular season

On May 9, the NFL announced that the Bills would host the Tennessee Titans at 7:15 p.m. ET on September 19, as part of ESPN's Week 2 Monday Night doubleheader.[60]

The remainder of the Bills' 2022 schedule was announced on May 12.[61][62]

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 8 at Los Angeles Rams W 31–10 1–0 SoFi Stadium Recap
2 September 19 Tennessee Titans W 41–7 2–0 Highmark Stadium Recap
3 September 25 at Miami Dolphins L 19–21 2–1 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
4 October 2 at Baltimore Ravens W 23–20 3–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
5 October 9 Pittsburgh Steelers W 38–3 4–1 Highmark Stadium Recap
6 October 16 at Kansas City Chiefs W 24–20 5–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
7 Bye
8 October 30 Green Bay Packers W 27–17 6–1 Highmark Stadium Recap
9 November 6 at New York Jets L 17–20 6–2 MetLife Stadium Recap
10 November 13 Minnesota Vikings L 30–33 (OT) 6–3 Highmark Stadium Recap
11 November 20 Cleveland Browns W 31–23 7–3 Ford Field[upper-roman 1] Recap
12 November 24 at Detroit Lions W 28–25 8–3 Ford Field Recap
13 December 1 at New England Patriots W 24–10 9–3 Gillette Stadium Recap
14 December 11 New York Jets W 20–12 10–3 Highmark Stadium Recap
15 December 17 Miami Dolphins W 32–29 11–3 Highmark Stadium Recap
16 December 24 at Chicago Bears W 35–13 12–3 Soldier Field Recap
17 January 2[upper-roman 2] at Cincinnati Bengals No contest[65]
18 January 8 New England Patriots W 35–23 13–3 Highmark Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Los Angeles Rams

NFL Kickoff Game

Week 1: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 3 71431
Rams 0 10 0010

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Game information

The Bills put up 31 points over the defending Super Bowl champions in a primetime win. Josh Allen had 4 total touchdowns while Matthew Stafford was held to just 1.

Week 2: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 2: Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 7 0 007
Bills 7 10 24041

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Stefon Diggs had 3 touchdowns on Monday Night Football and the Bills thumped the defending #1 seed in the AFC Titans 41–7 after losing to them the last 2 seasons. The defense held the Titans to 187 yards of total offense and Matt Milano had an interception returned for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Bills would lose Dane Jackson and Micah Hyde to neck injuries during the game, with Hyde later being ruled out for the season with a herniated disc.[66][67]

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins

Week 3: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 7 3219
Dolphins 7 7 0721

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

The Bills sideline was in the sweltering sun while the home Dolphins were on the shaded side of Hard Rock Stadium, a major factor contributing to the Dolphins home field advantage. After trading touchdowns in the first half, the Bills had a 17–14 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Chase Edmonds scored his 2nd touchdown of the game to give the Dolphins a 21–17 lead. The Bills responded with an 8-minute drive, but on 4th and Goal from the 1-yard line, Josh Allen's pass fell incomplete and turned the ball over on downs. The Bills forced a Dolphins punt, but Thomas Morstead's kick hit Trent Sherfield in the buttocks and deflected backwards and out of the end zone for a safety to make the score 21–19. The play instantly became known as "The Butt Punt."

The Bills, only needing a field goal instead of a touchdown to win, got the ball back with no timeouts. With 18 seconds left, Allen avoided a sack and passed the ball to Isaiah McKenzie who tried to get out of bounds at the MIA-35 but was tackled just short of the sideline. The Bills hustled to get back to the line of scrimmage in time, but the clock hit all zeros and players on both teams collapsed in exhaustion. The Bills lost 21–19 in an instant classic, and fell to 2–1. The Dolphins became the only 3–0 team in the AFC.

Week 4: at Baltimore Ravens

Week 4: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 7 10323
Ravens 14 6 0020

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Despite Baltimore climbing to a 20–3 lead at one point in the second quarter, with 10 of the Ravens' points coming off Bills turnovers, the Bills scored 20 unanswered points of their own and shut out Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense in the second half. A key interception of Jackson by Bills safety Jordan Poyer in the fourth quarter set up Buffalo's game-winning field goal, as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh controversially opted to go for a touchdown on fourth and goal instead of attempting a go-ahead field goal. This was Buffalo's first win by one score since the 2020 season and their biggest comeback win since defeating the New England Patriots after being down 21–0 in week 3 of 2011.[68]

Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 0 003
Bills 10 21 0738

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

After a close win in Baltimore, the Bills came back home to play the Steelers, resulting in a 38–3 blowout victory. Josh Allen threw for a career-high 424 yards, also matching a career high of four passing touchdowns, in addition to matching the franchise record for the longest play from scrimmage when he threw a 98-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Davis on the third play of the game. Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett made his first career start during the game, taking the place of previous starter and former Bills backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. With the win, Buffalo improved to 4–1.[69]

Week 6: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 10 7724
Chiefs 0 10 7320

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT/3:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,586
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In a rematch of the previous season's AFC Divisional playoff game against Kansas City, which saw Buffalo lose in overtime after allowing the Chiefs to tie the game with just 13 seconds left in regulation, the Bills and Chiefs competed toe-to-toe on both offense and defense until the fourth quarter. After Buffalo's defense limited the Chiefs to a field goal in the quarter and forced a three-and-out on the Chiefs' penultimate drive, Josh Allen marched the Bills down the field, throwing a game-winning touchdown pass to Dawson Knox with 1:04 left in regulation. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was intercepted by Bills cornerback Taron Johnson two plays later, preventing another last-minute scoring drive by Kansas City in addition to allowing Buffalo to avenge its playoff loss. The Bills improved to 5–1 with the win, attaining the best record in the AFC heading into their bye week.[70]

Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 3717
Bills 7 17 3027

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 50 °F (10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,863
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: at New York Jets

Week 9: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 7 0317
Jets 3 7 7320

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Warm and overcast, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 83,135
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Bills squandered a 14–3 first-half lead and lost to Zach Wilson and the rival Jets 20–17, thanks to a strong performance from the Jets' defense and run game (despite missing starting running back Breece Hall due to a season-ending injury), in addition to a fourth-quarter field goal by Greg Zuerlein set up by a 6-minute drive that started at New York's four-yard line. In addition, Allen, who scored two rushing touchdowns but also threw two interceptions during the game, suffered an elbow injury on Buffalo's final drive, which ended with a turnover on downs and allowed the Jets to run out the clock. With the upset loss, the Bills fell to 6–2.[71]

Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Vikings 7 3 713333
Bills 14 10 33030

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

The Bills blew their second consecutive double-digit lead, squandering a 27–10 third quarter lead. After the Bills stopped a long Vikings drive that stalled within Buffalo's one-yard line, a botched snap on Buffalo's ensuing play resulted in a fumble recovered by Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks for a touchdown that put Minnesota up 30–27. The Bills would score a field goal that tied the score at 30 apiece and led to overtime.

After the Vikings scored first on a 33-yard field goal by Greg Joseph, Allen marched the Bills downfield, but threw a game-ending interception to Patrick Peterson from Minnesota's 20-yard line, his second of the game and sixth in three games. With a 33–30 overtime loss, their second consecutive upset loss, the Bills fell to 6–3 and third place in the division.[72]

This was Stefon Diggs' first game against his former team after he was traded from Minnesota to Buffalo before the 2020 season. Diggs and Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who was drafted with the first-round pick Buffalo sent for Diggs, both had strong performances in the game, as they both surpassed 100 yards receiving and made remarkable one-handed catches during the course of what was later called the "game of the year" by several analysts.[73]

Week 11: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 11: Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 3 01323
Bills 3 10 9931

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan[upper-roman 1]

Game information

Due to a severe lake effect snowstorm in Buffalo, this game was moved to Ford Field in Detroit in a similar fashion to the Bills' 2014 home game against the New York Jets, which was moved due to the "Snowvember" storm that dumped 7 feet of snow on Highmark Stadium. This was the Bills' second home game in franchise history moved to Detroit.[74] Since Buffalo was scheduled to go to Detroit for the following week's game anyway, this relocation worked in their favor.

Week 12: at Detroit Lions

Thanksgiving Day games

Week 12: Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 10 2928
Lions 7 7 01125

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,553
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In Buffalo's third Thanksgiving Day game in four years, Detroit, winner of three straight after a 1–6 start, kept pace with the Bills in a back-and-forth affair and took the lead in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen led a go-ahead touchdown drive to retake the lead, although kicker Tyler Bass missed the extra point, his first such miss since the 2020 season.[75] Despite the Lions tying the game with a field goal with 23 seconds left on the clock, Allen put the Bills into field goal range on the next drive with a 36-yard pass to Stefon Diggs, who was double-covered,[76] and Bass made the game-winning 45–yard kick, allowing Buffalo to win 28–25 and improve to 8–3.[75]

Week 13: at New England Patriots

Week 13: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 14 0724
Patriots 7 0 0310

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Aside from a 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass in the first quarter from Patriots quarterback Mac Jones to Marcus Jones, who normally plays cornerback, the Bills kept New England's offense in check, forcing numerous punts, and dominated the game with a balanced offense between the passing and rushing attacks, resulting in a 24–10 win in favor of Buffalo. With the team's first division win of the season and fifth win in six games over the Patriots, Buffalo improved to 9–3.[77]

Week 14: vs. New York Jets

Week 14: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 0 7512
Bills 0 7 10320

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Rain showers, 37 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,603
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 15: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 3 10 13329
Bills 7 14 01132

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Buffalo hosted the Dolphins in a rematch of week 3's game, with weather conditions featuring lake-effect snow in contrast to the hot, humid conditions in Miami earlier that year. Early in the game, fans threw snowballs onto the field before head official Bill Vinovich warned that the Bills would be assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty if any snowballs hit Dolphins players despite no rule existing on that matter.[78]

The Dolphins took the early 3–0 lead, but the Bills responded with a quick drive to take the lead with a touchdown pass to Quintin Morris from Josh Allen. After Buffalo took a 21–13 halftime lead, Miami stormed back with two quick passing touchdowns from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, respectively, to retake the lead, then forced a fumble on Allen to set up a field goal to make the score 29–21 in its favor. Allen and the Bills offense would nonetheless adjust to Miami's heavy blitz, setting up a Dawson Knox touchdown reception with several quarterback runs to avoid pressure, with Allen barely crossing the plane on Buffalo's ensuing two-point conversion attempt to tie the game at 29. After a stalled drive by Dolphins, Buffalo received the ball back with under six minutes left, but drove down the field from its own 14-yard-line to the Miami 7-yard-line, setting up Tyler Bass's game-winning field goal. With the 32–29 win, their 10th in their last 12 games against the Dolphins, the Bills improved to 11–3 and clinched their fourth-straight playoff berth.[79]

Week 16: at Chicago Bears

Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 6 0 151435
Bears 7 3 0313

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 9 °F (−13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,929
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In frigid conditions, Buffalo trailed Chicago 10–6 at halftime, partly due to Tyler Bass missing an extra point and a field goal in addition to a redzone interception by Josh Allen, but stormed back in the second half thanks to strong performances by running backs Devin Singletary and James Cook, outscoring the Bears 29–3 the rest of the way and holding dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields to just six yards rushing in the game. With the dominant win, the Bills improved to 12–3 and clinched their third straight AFC East division title.[80]

Week 17: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 17: Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 - --3
Bengals 7 - --7

at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

The game was postponed with 5:58 remaining in the 1st quarter due to an injury to Damar Hamlin, who was sent to the hospital in critical condition after collapsing on the field. The NFL released a statement that said that the game will not be resumed during the week, as well the team's week 18 game will be played as it is scheduled.[81][82][83] The game was ultimately declared no contest, and it was officially canceled on January 5.[82] It was the only time in NFL history that a regular season game has been canceled after starting and was never made up.[84][85]

Week 18: vs. New England Patriots

Week 18: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 7 3623
Bills 7 7 14735

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: January 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 31 °F (−1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,753
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Playing one week after Hamlin's collapse and hospitalization, Buffalo dedicated this game to him as part of league-wide tributes to Hamlin, who was continuing to recover in the ICU.[86] Despite three passing touchdowns by Mac Jones, the Bills countered with two kick return touchdowns by Nyheim Hines and three passing scores from Allen, in addition to intercepting Jones three times. The Bills matched a franchise record by notching their 13th win of the season, clinching the #2 seed in the AFC and ensuring that a hypothetical AFC Championship matchup with the Chiefs, who clinched the #1 seed but would have lost the tiebreaker to Buffalo had they won the previous game, would be played on a neutral site due to special changes to playoff seeding in light of the previous game's cancellation.[87]

Standings

Division

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Buffalo Bills 13 3 0 .813 4–2 9–2 455 286 W7
(7) Miami Dolphins 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 397 399 W1
New England Patriots 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 364 347 L1
New York Jets 7 10 0 .412 2–4 5–7 296 316 L6

Conference

AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Kansas City Chiefs West 14 3 0 .824 6–0 9–3 .453 .422 W5
2 Buffalo Bills East 13 3 0 .813 4–2 9–2 .489 .471 W7
3 Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 3–3 8–3 .507 .490 W8
4 Jacksonville Jaguars South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 8–4 .467 .438 W5
Wild cards
5[lower-alpha 1] Los Angeles Chargers West 10 7 0 .588 2–4 7–5 .443 .341 L1
6[lower-alpha 1] Baltimore Ravens North 10 7 0 .588 3–3 6–6 .509 .456 L2
7[lower-alpha 2] Miami Dolphins East 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .537 .457 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[lower-alpha 2] Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 8 0 .529 3–3 5–7 .519 .451 W4
9 New England Patriots East 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 .502 .415 L1
10[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] New York Jets East 7 10 0 .412 2–4 5–7 .538 .458 L6
11[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Tennessee Titans South 7 10 0 .412 3–3 5–7 .509 .336 L7
12[lower-alpha 3] Cleveland Browns North 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 .524 .492 L1
13 Las Vegas Raiders West 6 11 0 .353 3–3 5–7 .474 .397 L3
14 Denver Broncos West 5 12 0 .294 1–5 3–9 .481 .465 W1
15 Indianapolis Colts South 4 12 1 .265 1–4–1 4–7–1 .512 .500 L7
16 Houston Texans South 3 13 1 .206 3–2–1 3–8–1 .481 .402 W1
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. 1 2 LA Chargers finished ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
  2. 1 2 Miami finished ahead of Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory.
  3. 1 2 3 NY Jets and Tennessee finished ahead of Cleveland based on conference record (5–7 vs. 4–8).
  4. 1 2 NY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on common record (3–3 vs. 2–4 against: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay, Jacksonville).
  5. ↑ 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.

Postseason

Schedule

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 15 Miami Dolphins (7) W 34–31 1–0 Highmark Stadium Recap
Divisional January 22 Cincinnati Bengals (3) L 10–27 1–1 Highmark Stadium Recap

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (7) Miami Dolphins

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (7) Miami Dolphins at (2) Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 17 7731
Bills 14 6 14034

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (3) Cincinnati Bengals

AFC Divisional Playoffs: (3) Cincinnati Bengals at (2) Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 14 3 7327
Bills 0 7 3010

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: January 22, 2023
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Snow, 34 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,733
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

While the Bills were widely criticized by the media for losing this playoff game in blowout fashion,[88][89] several players on the team revealed their emotional exhaustion after the game due to several events that occurred to the team and the city of Buffalo during the course of the season and offseason,[90] including Hamlin's collapse, two severe blizzards, including one during Christmas that killed dozens in Erie County,[91] owner Kim Pegula suffering "unspecified health issues" in June that were later revealed by her daughter Jessica Pegula to be cardiac arrest,[92] and the 2022 Buffalo shooting in May.[93] Guard Rodger Saffold and safety Micah Hyde stated that the team had "run out of gas" after facing constant adversity throughout the "emotionally draining" season.[90]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Due to public safety concerns regarding a severe winter storm in the Buffalo area, the Bills' Week 11 game vs. the Cleveland Browns was relocated to Detroit's Ford Field.[63]
  2. ↑ Game started on January 2. Due to an injury involving Damar Hamlin, the game was postponed part way through the first quarter.[64] On January 5, the game was cancelled.[65]

References

  1. ↑ "NFL playoffs changes for neutral site AFC Championship approved: Here are the scenarios". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ "'Follow the rulebook': Bengals not happy after lost fight against NFL's playoff scenario". The Enquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  3. ↑ Wells, Adam. "Bengals Reportedly 'Livid' over Potential Coin Flip in Tiebreaker with Ravens". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed with win today, but neutral site AFC Championship Game remains in play". NBC Sports. January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Bengals return to AFC championship with 27-10 rout of Bills". AP News. January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ O'Shei, Tim (January 8, 2023). "Hochul on Bills' stadium long-form deal: 'We are so close to being done'". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  7. ↑ "DONE DEAL: New Bills stadium gets final governmental approval, construction can begin". News 4 Buffalo. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Bills Won't Renew Lease In July '23 Without New Stadium Deal". Associated Press. September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ Glab, Maddy (March 14, 2022). "Bills sign offensive lineman Rodger Saffold". BuffaloBills.com.
  10. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 16, 2022). "Bills sign free agent DaQuan Jones". BuffaloBills.com.
  11. ↑ Glab, Maddy (March 16, 2022). "Bills agree to terms with Von Miller". BuffaloBills.com.
  12. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 17, 2022). "Bills sign defensive tackle Tim Settle". BuffaloBills.com.
  13. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 17, 2022). "Bills bring back defensive tackle Jordan Phillips". BuffaloBills.com.
  14. ↑ Glab, Maddy (March 18, 2022). "Bills bring back Shaq Lawson". BuffaloBills.com.
  15. ↑ Glab, Maddy (March 21, 2022). "Matt Barkley signs a one-year contract with the Bills". BuffaloBills.com.
  16. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 21, 2022). "Bills sign free agent OL Greg Mancz". BuffaloBills.com.
  17. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 22, 2022). "Bills sign wide receiver Jamison Crowder". BuffaloBills.com.
  18. ↑ Glab, Maddy (March 22, 2022). "Bills sign running back Duke Johnson". BuffaloBills.com.
  19. ↑ Brown, Chris (April 21, 2022). "Bills sign G David Quessenberry to a one-year deal". BuffaloBills.com.
  20. ↑ Lasting, Dante (June 3, 2022). "Bills sign wide receiver Tavon Austin". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  21. ↑ Glab, Maddy (June 13, 2022). "Bills add offensive lineman Greg Van Roten". BuffaloBills.com.
  22. ↑ Glab, Maddy (August 31, 2022). "Bills sign punter Sam Martin". BuffaloBills.com.
  23. ↑ White, Alec (September 27, 2022). "Bills sign former Cardinals OL Justin Murray, place OT Tommy Doyle on IR". BuffaloBills.com.
  24. ↑ Jenkins, Chris (September 28, 2022). "Bills add veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes to the practice squad". BuffaloBills.com.
  25. ↑ "Buffalo Bills Transactions". BuffaloBills.com.
  26. ↑ White, Alec (November 26, 2022). "Bills make 4 roster moves". BuffaloBills.com.
  27. ↑ Czikk, Joseph (January 27, 2022). "Giants roster move: Former Bills running back Antonio Williams signs futures contract". BigBlueView.com.
  28. ↑ Hickey, Kevin (February 7, 2022). "Giants sign QB Davis Webb, P Jamie Gillan to futures contracts". GiantsWire.USAToday.com.
  29. ↑ Peters, Craig (March 16, 2022). "Vikings Open Free Agency by Agreeing to Terms with Harrison Phillips & Johnny Mundt". Vikings.com.
  30. ↑ Eisen, Michael (March 16, 2022). "Giants sign free agent Jon Feliciano to play center". Giants.com.
  31. ↑ Varley, Teresa (March 17, 2022). "Trubisky signed to two-year contract". Steelers.com.
  32. ↑ Varley, Teresa (March 17, 2022). "Wallace signed to two-year contract". Steelers.com.
  33. ↑ Dunleavy, Ryan (March 21, 2022). "Giants sign Matt Breida to play behind Saquon Barkley". nypost.com.
  34. ↑ Washington Commanders Public Relations (March 23, 2022). "Commanders sign DE Efe Obada". Commanders.com.
  35. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (5-10-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. May 10, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (5-11-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. May 11, 2022.
  37. ↑ "NFL news roundup: Latest league updates from Wednesday, Aug. 24". NFL.com. August 24, 2022.
  38. ↑ Eisen, Michael (August 31, 2022). "Giants claim 4 players off waivers; 4 released". Giants.com.
  39. ↑ Urban, Darren (September 1, 2022). "Cardinals Re-Sign Aaron Brewer; Place Antonio Hamilton On NFI". AZCardinals.com.
  40. ↑ Salomone, Dan (November 4, 2022). "Giants claim WR Isaiah Hodgins off waivers from Buffalo Bills". Giants.com.
  41. ↑ "Miami Dolphins sign Zimmer". MiamiDolphins.com. November 23, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Browns sign LB Jermaine Carter Jr. to active roster, add 2 players to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 14, 2022.
  43. ↑ Walker, Patrik (January 7, 2023). "Cowboys Sign Xavier Rhodes to Practice Squad". DallasCowboys.com.
  44. ↑ Jenkins, Chris (March 14, 2022). "Bills release offensive lineman Daryl Williams". BuffaloBills.com.
  45. ↑ Fierro, Nick (February 20, 2022). "Bills Roster Spotlight: Defensive Tackles". SI.com.
  46. ↑ Fierro, Nick (February 18, 2022). "Bills Roster Spotlight: Defensive Ends". SI.com.
  47. ↑ Jenkins, Chris (March 18, 2022). "Bills release defensive tackle Star Lotulelei". BuffaloBills.com.
  48. ↑ "Super Bowl 50 champion Emmanuel Sanders announces his retirement from the NFL". DenverBroncos.com. September 7, 2022.
  49. ↑ Wojton, Nick (October 5, 2022). "Bills, Tavon Austin mutually agree to part ways". BillsWire.USAToday.com.
  50. ↑ Wojton, Nick (October 18, 2022). "Bills release LB Andre Smith, who saw his suspension just end". BillsWire.USAToday.com.
  51. 1 2 Wojton, Nick (January 18, 2023). "Bills make two changes to practice squad". BillsWire.USAToday.com.
  52. 1 2 Jenkins, Chris (March 20, 2022). "Bills trade for quarterback Case Keenum". BuffaloBills.com.
  53. ↑ Glab, Maddy (August 22, 2022). "Bills trade Cody Ford to the Arizona Cardinals". BuffaloBills.com.
  54. ↑ White, Alec (November 1, 2022). "Trade: Bills acquire RB Nyheim Hines from Indianapolis". BuffaloBills.com.
  55. ↑ Glab, Maddy (November 1, 2022). "Bills activate Tre'Davious White and acquire Dean Marlowe in a trade". BuffaloBills.com.
  56. ↑ Glab, Maddy (August 30, 2021). "Bills trade DE Darryl Johnson to Carolina for a 2022 draft pick". BuffaloBills.com.
  57. ↑ Glab, Maddy (March 17, 2021). "Bills agree to trade TE Lee Smith to Atlanta for a 2022 seventh round draft pick". BuffaloBills.com.
  58. 1 2 3 4 Lasting, Dante (May 13, 2022). "Get to know these 9 Bills undrafted free agents". BuffaloBills.com.
  59. 1 2 3 Glab, Maddy (May 16, 2022). "Bills sign four more undrafted free agents". BuffaloBills.com.
  60. ↑ "Titans-Bills, Vikings-Eagles to headline Week 2 'Monday Night Football' doubleheader". NFL. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  61. ↑ "2022 NFL Schedule powered by AWS to be released on Thursday, May 12". NFL. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  62. ↑ "Buffalo Bills schedule 2022: Dates, times, TV, opponents for Weeks 1-18". ProFootballTalk. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  63. ↑ "Browns-Bills Week 11 game moved to Detroit's Ford Field due to snowstorm". NFL. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  64. ↑ Getzenberg, Alaina (January 2, 2023). "Damar Hamlin in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest; Bills-Bengals postponed". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  65. 1 2 "AP sources: NFL will not resume Bills-Bengals game". MSN. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  66. ↑ Dedaj, Paulina (September 20, 2022). "Bills' Dane Jackson released from hospital after terrifying collision; avoids 'major injury' to neck, spine". Fox News. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  67. ↑ McCarriston, Shanna (September 24, 2022). "Bills' Micah Hyde placed on injured reserve with herniated disc in neck, out for rest of season, per agent". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  68. ↑ Bumbaca, Chris. "Bills come back to beat Ravens, whose fourth-quarter TD try backfires". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  69. ↑ DeArdo, Brian (October 9, 2022). "Bills vs. Steelers score, takeaways: Josh Allen-led Buffalo has huge day, spoiling Kenny Pickett's first start". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  70. ↑ Skretta, Dave (October 16, 2022). "This time, Josh Allen scores last in back-and-forth battle as Bills beat Chiefs - The Boston Globe". The Associated Press. BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  71. ↑ "Wilson, Jets' defense stun Allen, Bills in 20-17 victory". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  72. ↑ "Vikings vs. Bills score, takeaways: Justin Jefferson, Patrick Peterson help Minnesota prevail in wild OT game". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  73. ↑ "Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson compose one of great NFL trades". MSN. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  74. ↑ "Bills have played home game in Detroit before: What to know about tickets, game vs Browns". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  75. 1 2 "Bills' Tyler Bass: Key role as Bills get needed win". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  76. ↑ Kubiak, Jim. "Jim Kubiak: How Josh Allen's depth of throw to Stefon Diggs on final drive made difference". Buffalo News. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  77. ↑ Morik, Ryan (December 1, 2022). "Bills beat AFC East rival Patriots as New England's offense sputters at home". Fox News. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  78. ↑ Skurski, Jay. "15 yards for snowballs? Turns out, that's not covered in the NFL rule book". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  79. ↑ "Bills clinch 4th straight playoff berth; beat Dolphins 32-29". ABC News. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  80. ↑ "Singletary, Cook lead way as Bills beat Bears, claim AFC East title". wgrz.com. December 24, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  81. ↑ Sullivan, Tyler (January 2, 2023). "NFL postpones Bengals vs. Bills after Buffalo's Damar Hamlin collapses on field during 'Monday Night Football'". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  82. 1 2 Goffinet, Jared. "NFL announces update on Bengals-Bills game". FOX19. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  83. ↑ Coleman, Madeline. "Bills vs. Bengals: NFL Provides Scheduling Update After Damar Hamlin Injury". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  84. ↑ What should NFL do about suspended Bills-Bengals game? With no precedent, here are the options, and best path CBS Sports
  85. ↑ Has the NFL ever canceled games before? Bills-Bengals cancelation a rare move for the league USA Today
  86. ↑ "Hamlin in their hearts, the NFL pays tribute to No. 3". Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  87. ↑ Maiorana, Sal. "Bills defeat Patriots for Damar Hamlin to lock up AFC No. 2 seed, will host Dolphins in playoffs". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  88. ↑ "Bills exposed in playoff loss to Bengals". Arkansas Online. January 24, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  89. ↑ Maiorana, Sal (January 27, 2023). "Bills 2022 report card: Buffalo had one of best offenses in NFL but flaws were exposed". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  90. 1 2 Parrino, Matt (January 23, 2023). "Some Bills players 'numb,' some say team ran out of gas at end of 'emotionally draining' season". newyorkupstate. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  91. ↑ "Death toll in Buffalo blizzard rises; delayed emergency response cited". Washington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  92. ↑ "Jessica Pegula reveals her mother Kim Pegula's health crisis". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  93. ↑ "As Buffalo mourns following deadly shooting, the Bills step up to help community heal". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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