Wikipedia

1995 Buffalo Bills season

The1995 Buffalo Bills seasonwas the franchise's 26th season in theNational Football Leagueand the 36th overall. This was the last time the Bills won the division or won a playoff game until2020.

1995Buffalo Billsseason
OwnerRalph Wilson
General managerJohn Butler
Head coachMarv Levy
Elijah Pitts(interim)
Home fieldRich Stadium
Results
Record10–6
Division place1stAFC East
Playoff finishWonWild Card Playoffs
(vs.Dolphins) 37–22
LostDivisional Playoffs
(atSteelers) 21–40
Pro BowlersDEBruce Smith
OLBBryce Paup
STSteve Tasker

After suffering a losing seasonthe previous season,the 1995 Bills won theAFC East,and made the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons. They defeated the Miami Dolphins 37–22 in the Wild Card Game inDon Shula's final game as an NFL head coach. The following week they lost to the eventual AFC Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers 40–21.

In his first season with the team,defensive endBryce Paupwas namedNFL Defensive Player of the Year.Paup led the NFL with 17.5sacks,the fourth-highest single-season total of the 1990s.[1]During the season, head coachMarv Levyunderwent successful treatment forprostate cancer;assistantElijah Pittsfilled in as interim coach until Levy returned after a three-game absence.[2]

Offseason

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Additions Subtractions
LBBryce Paup(Packers) WRDon Beebe(Panthers)
NTTed Washington(Broncos) TEPete Metzelaars(Panthers)
DEJim Jeffcoat(Cowboys) DEOliver Barnett(49ers)
SMike Dumas(Jaguars)
LBDarryl Talley(Falcons)
LBMarvcus Patton(Redskins)
NTJeff Wright(retirement)
NTMike Lodish(Broncos)

1995 Expansion Draft

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Main article:1995 NFL expansion draft
Buffalo Bills selected during the Expansion Draft
Round Overall Name Position Expansion Team
5 9 Keith Goganious Linebacker Jacksonville Jaguars
23 46 Vince Marrow Tight End Carolina Panthers

NFL Draft

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Main article:1995 NFL Draft
1995 Buffalo Bills draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 14 Ruben Brown* Guard Pittsburgh
2 45 Todd Collins Quarterback Michigan
3 76 Marlon Kerner Cornerback Ohio State
3 96 Damien Covington Linebacker NC State
4 109 Ken Irvin Cornerback Memphis
4 113 Justin Armour Wide receiver Stanford
4 131 Tony Cline Tight end Stanford
5 144 John Holecek Linebacker Illinois
6 185 Shannon Clavelle Defensive tackle Colorado
7 221 Tom Nütten Center Western Michigan
7 244 Darick Holmes Running back Portland State
Made roster*Made at least onePro Bowlduring career

Undrafted Free Agents

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1995 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Jason Anderson Wide receiver Eastern Washington
Carey Bender Running back Coe College
Travis Colquitt Punter Marshall
Eric Counts Defensive tackle NC State
Herve Damas Linebacker Hofstra
Randall Evans Wide receiver St. Augustine's (NC)
Che Foster Fullback Michigan
Myron Glass Cornerback Northern Iowa
Steve Harvey Linebacker Kansas
Michael Hendricks Linebacker Texas A&M
Adrian Hill Wide Receiver NC State
Terry Quinn Safety Louisville
Mike Sheldon Guard Grand Valley State

Personnel

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Staff

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1995 Buffalo Bills staff

Front office

  • President –Ralph Wilson
  • Executive Vice President and General Manager –John Butler
  • Vice President of Football Operations –Marv Levy
  • Director of Pro Personnel –A. J. Smith
  • Director of Player Personnel – Dwight Adams

Head coaches

  • Head Coach – Marv Levy
  • Assistant Head Coach –Elijah Pitts
  • Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach – Chuck Lester

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator –Wade Phillips
  • Defensive Line – Dan Sekanovich
  • Linebackers –Ted Cottrell
  • Assistant Linebackers – Chuck Lester
  • Defensive Backs – Dick Roach

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


[3]

Roster

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1995 Buffalo Bills roster
Quarterbacks(QB)

Running backs(RB)

Wide receivers(WR)

Tight ends(TE)

Offensive linemen(OL)

Defensive linemen(DL)

Linebackers(LB)

Defensive backs(DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

53 active, 4 inactive, 2 practice squad Reserve


Rookies in italics

Regular season

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Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 3 atDenver Broncos L7–22 0–1 Mile High Stadium 75,157
2 September 10 Carolina Panthers W31–9 1–1 Rich Stadium 79,190
3 September 17 Indianapolis Colts W20–14 2–1 Rich Stadium 62,499
4 Bye
5 October 2 atCleveland Browns W22–19 3–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 76,211
6 October 8 New York Jets W29–10 4–1 Rich Stadium 79,485
7 October 15 Seattle Seahawks W27–21 5–1 Rich Stadium 74,362
8 October 23 atNew England Patriots L14–27 5–2 Foxboro Stadium 60,203
9 October 29 atMiami Dolphins L6–23 5–3 Joe Robbie Stadium 71,060
10 November 5 atIndianapolis Colts W16–10 6–3 RCA Dome 59,612
11 November 12 Atlanta Falcons W23–17 7–3 Rich Stadium 62,690
12 November 19 atNew York Jets W28–26 8–3 Giants Stadium 54,436
13 November 26 New England Patriots L25–35 8–4 Rich Stadium 69,384
14 December 3 atSan Francisco 49ers L17–27 8–5 Candlestick Park 65,568
15 December 10 atSt. Louis Rams W45–27 9–5 Trans World Dome 64,623
16 December 17 Miami Dolphins W23–20 10–5 Rich Stadium 79,531
17 December 24 Houston Oilers L17–28 10–6 Rich Stadium 45,253

Season summary

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Week 1 at Broncos

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Week One: Buffalo Bills (0–0) at Denver Broncos (0–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 0 007
Broncos 3 9 01022

atMile High Stadium,Denver, Colorado

Game information

The Bills first game in Denver since1977

Week 5

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Buffalo Bills (2–1) at Cleveland Browns (3–1)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 10 0 3922
Browns 7 3 6319

atCleveland Municipal Stadium•Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

Week 6

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Starting QBs -> New York Jets:Boomer Esiason/ Buffalo Bills:Jim Kelly

Vegas Line: Buffalo Bills −9.5 /// Over/Under: 38.0 (over)

Thurman Thomasbecomes the 11th player all-time to go over the 9,000 career rushing yard mark in this game.

Boomer Esiasonwas knocked out in the second quarter byBruce Smith,thus puttingBubby Bristerinto the game. On his first snap in the game, he fumbled the ball and turned it over to Buffalo.

New York Jets (1–4) at Buffalo Bills (3–1)
1 234Total
Jets 0 370 10
• Bills 3 13310 29



Team Category Player Statistics
Jets Passing Bubby Brister 13/23, 112 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Adrian Murrell 14 carries, 33 yards
Receiving Wayne Chrebet 7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
Bills Passing Jim Kelly 9/22, 101 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Thurman Thomas 27 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Russell Copeland 5 receptions, 67 yards
Statistics Jets Bills
First downs 14 22
Plays–yards 53–173 67–318
Rushes–yards 21–51 45–220
Passing yards 122 98
Passing:comp–att–int 17–32–2 9–22–1
Time of possession 31:49 28:11

[4]

Week 10

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Elijah Pittswas theBuffalo Billshead coach for this game asMarv Levywas recovering from illness.

Starting QBs: Buffalo Bills:Jim Kellyvs Indianapolis Colts:Jim Harbaugh.

In this game,Jim Harbaughstarted, but midway through the first quarterPaul Justinwas put in by coachTed Marchibrodaas Harbaugh was injured. This wasn't the end for the Colts QB situation, as Justin was hit byBryce Paupknocking him out of the game. Harbaugh came in briefly after Justin was knocked out, however,Craig Ericksoncame into the game to finish it out.

Vegas Line: Indianapolis Colts −4.0

Buffalo Bills (5–3) at Indianapolis Colts (5–3)
1 234Total
• Bills 10 600 16
Colts 7 030 10

[5]

Week 11

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1 234Total
Falcons 7 370 17
• Bills 7 763 23

[6]

Week 12

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Starting QBs -> New York Jets:Boomer Esiason/ Buffalo Bills:Jim Kelly

Vegas Line: Buffalo Bills −6.5 /// Over/Under: 37.0 (over)

Boomer Esiasonthrows a last second hail mary TD pass toAdrian Murrell,however, failed on the 2-pt conversion to send the game into OT.

Buffalo Bills (7–3) at New York Jets(2–8)
1 234Total
• Bills 7 1470 28
Jets 3 01013 26

[7]


Team Category Player Statistics
Bills Passing Jim Kelly 22/37, 316 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Thurman Thomas 18 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Bill Brooks 7 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD
Jets Passing Boomer Esiason 24/43, 312 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Adrian Murrell 9 carries, 36 yards
Receiving Johnny Mitchell 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Statistics Bills Jets
First downs 20 17
Plays–yards 73–373 65–351
Rushes–yards 36–88 22–74
Passing yards 285 277
Passing:comp–att–int 22–37–0 24–43–2
Time of possession 31:12 28:48

Week 15

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1 234Total
• Bills 7 141410 45
Rams 10 3311 27
Scoring summary
Q18:59BUFBill Brooks23 yard pass fromJim Kelly(Steve Christiekick)BUF 7–0
Q15:29STLTodd Kinchen6 yard pass fromMark Rypien(Dean Biasuccikick)Tie 7–7
Q13:15STL(Dean Biasucci28 yard field goal)STL 10–7
Q27:52BUFThurman Thomas1 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick)BUF 14–10
Q25:29BUFDarick Holmes1 yard run (Steve Christie kick)BUF 21–10
Q20:00STL(Dean Biasucci37 yard field goal)BUF 21–13
Q36:29BUFSteve Tasker6 yard pass fromJim Kelly(Steve Christie kick)BUF 28–13
Q34:34STL(Dean Biasucci51 yard field goal)BUF 28–16
Q31:08BUFSteve Tasker28 yard pass fromJim Kelly(Steve Christie kick)BUF 35–16
Q46:52STL(Dean Biasucci25 yard field goal)BUF 35–19
Q46:40BUFDarick Holmes38 yard run (Steve Christie kick)BUF 42–19
Q43:54STLJessie Hester5 yard pass fromMark Rypien,Johnny Baileypass fromMark RypienBUF 42–27
Q41:10BUF(Steve Christie28 yard field goalBUF 45–27

[8]

Standings

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AFC East
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(3)Buffalo Bills 10 6 0 .625 350 335 L1
(5)Indianapolis Colts 9 7 0 .563 331 316 W1
(6)Miami Dolphins 9 7 0 .563 398 332 W1
New England Patriots 6 10 0 .375 294 377 L2
New York Jets 3 13 0 .188 233 384 L4

[9]

Playoffs

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AFC Wild Card Game

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Buffalo Bills 37,Miami Dolphins22
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 02222
Bills 10 14 31037

atRich Stadium,Orchard Park, New York

In Buffalo's first playoff game since losingSuper Bowl XXVIIItwo seasons earlier, the Bills handled Miami easily by a score of 37–22 at Rich Stadium. Although Dolphins quarterbackDan Marinocompleted 33 out of 64 passes for 422 yards and two touchdowns, the Bills jumped to a 27–0 lead going into the fourth quarter, and rushed for an NFL playoff-record 341 yards, led by Thurman Thomas's 25 carries for 158 yards. The Bills forced four turnovers, including intercepting Marino three times, in the victory.[10]It was the final game of Don Shula's coaching career with the Dolphins.

AFC Divisional Playoff

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Pittsburgh Steelers40, Buffalo Bills 21
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 7721
Steelers 7 16 31440

atThree Rivers Stadium,Pittsburgh

Running backBam Morrisscored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Steelers stopped the Bills from pulling off a comeback. Pittsburgh jumped to a 20–0 lead by the second quarter with running backJohn L. Williams's 1-yard touchdown, quarterbackNeil O'Donnell's 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverErnie Mills,and two field goals by Norm Johnson. However, Buffalo running backThurman Thomasscored a 1-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the first half. But Johnson made a 34-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Steelers a 23–7 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Johnson added a 39-yard field goal before Bills tight end Tony Cline caught a 2-yard touchdown reception. With 11:23 left in the game, Thomas scored on a 9-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead to 26–21. In response, Pittsburgh drove 76 yards to score on Morris' 13-yard touchdown run. LinebackerLevon Kirklandthen intercepted a pass to set up Morris' 2-yard score with 1:58 remaining to clinch the victory.[11]Bruce Smith was inactive for the game because he had a 106-degree fever; Smith wanted to play but the Bills' medical staff said "no".[citation needed]

Awards and honors

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References

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  1. ^"NFL Sacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 11,2024.
  2. ^"Levy Tells Bills He Faces Cancer Surgery: Pro football: Coach will miss three games after prostate operation today in Buffalo".Los Angeles Times.Associated Press. October 17, 1995.RetrievedFebruary 11,2017.
  3. ^"Administration, coaches and staff".1995 Buffalo Bills Media Guide.pp. 5–26.
  4. ^"New York Jets at Buffalo Bills - October 8th, 1995".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 11,2024.
  5. ^"Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts - November 5th, 1995".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  6. ^"Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills - November 12th, 1995".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  7. ^"Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - November 19th, 1995".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  8. ^"Buffalo Bills at St. Louis Rams - December 10th, 1995".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  9. ^NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book,Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY,ISBN0-7611-2480-2,p. 291
  10. ^"Wild Card – Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – December 30th, 1995".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedJuly 10,2018.
  11. ^"Divisional Round – Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 6th, 1996".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedJuly 10,2018.
  12. ^"AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedJuly 13,2018.
  13. ^"1995 NFL Pro Bowlers".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedJuly 13,2018.
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