Despite attaining their second straight season with at least 12 wins, sixth straight with at least 11, and seventh straight with at least 10, the Bills failed to match their 13 wins from 2024 following a Week 12 loss to the Houston Texans. Most notably, they failed to win the AFC East for the first time since 2019 after a Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.[1] Nonetheless, the Bills qualified for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season after the Indianapolis Colts lost in Week 16. With the Kansas City Chiefs failing to qualify, the Bills now hold the longest active playoff appearance streak in the NFL, appearing in every postseason since 2019.[2] In addition to this, running back James Cook lead the league in rushing yards for the season, with 1,621 total rushing yards, becoming the first Bills player to achieve this since O.J. Simpson in 1976.
It is expected to be the Bills' final season playing their home games at their current Highmark Stadium, as their New Highmark Stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2026 season.[3] For the first time since 2016, safety Micah Hyde will not be on the roster, as he announced his retirement on January 27.[4]
For the playoffs, the Bills secured the no. 6 seed, and won against the no. 3 seed Jacksonville Jaguars with a score of 27–24 in the Wild Card Playoffs. This would be their first road playoff victory since 1992. They are set to play the no. 1 seed Denver Broncos in the Divisional Playoffs.
123456The Bills traded second- (56th and 62nd overall) and fourth- (109th overall) round selections to the Chicago Bears in exchange for second- (41st overall), third- (72nd overall) and seventh- (240th overall) round selections.[41]
12The Bills traded fifth- (166th overall) and 2024 sixth-round selections and WR Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a second-round selection (56th overall).[42]
12The Bills traded third- (94th overall) and 2026 seventh-round selections to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a sixth-round selection (204th overall) and WR Amari Cooper.[43]
↑The Bills traded a 2024 fifth-round selection to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round selection (109th overall).[44]
123The Bills traded fourth- (132nd overall) and fifth- (169th overall) round selections to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round selection (109th overall).[41]
12The Bills traded a sixth-round selection (204th overall) and CB Kaiir Elam to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for fifth- (170th overall) and 2026 seventh-round selections.[40]
12The Bills traded a seventh-round selection (246th overall) and LB Carlos Basham Jr. to the New York Giants in exchange for a sixth-round selection (177th overall).[45]
BUF – Matt Prater 32-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 41–40. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 1:26.
Top passers
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 14/19, 209 yards, 2 TD
BUF – Josh Allen – 33/46, 394 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
BAL – Derrick Henry – 18 rushes, 169 yards, 2 TD
BUF – James Cook – 13 rushes, 44 yards, TD
Top receivers
BAL – Zay Flowers – 7 receptions, 143 yards, TD
BUF – Keon Coleman – 8 receptions, 112 yards, TD
Beginning their final season in Highmark Stadium, the Bills started the game strong, charging down the field and ending the drive with a passing touchdown from Josh Allen to Dalton Kincaid. The defense also started off strong, only allowing the Ravens a field goal by Tyler Loop to start the game off 7–3. However, things would begin to take a turn when the Ravens answered back as Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson scored rushing touchdowns in quick succession. The half would end with three consecutive field goals, two for the Bills by Matt Prater filling in for Tyler Bass, and one for the Ravens.
Going into the second half at 13–20, the game turned into an offensive shootout. For the Ravens, Jackson would throw two touchdown passes to Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins respectively, while Henry rushed for another touchdown that put the Bills down 25–40. For the Bills, James Cook and Allen each scored rushing touchdowns, both scores having failed two-point conversion attempts to follow. In addition, Allen threw a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman that was deflected off the hands of another receiver. With just under four minutes of the game left and the Ravens with the ball, Ed Oliver forced Henry to fumble, setting up another Allen rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to 38–40, with the Bills failing to get the two-point conversion once again. The Bills' defense forced another 3-and-out for Baltimore, and after receiving the punt, the offense charged downfield one last time with two decisive passes from Allen to Josh Palmer and Coleman, respectively, setting up a game-winning 32-yard field goal to defeat Baltimore 41–40.
The Bills' win was their first when trailing by 15 points or more in the fourth quarter since 1967, as they scored their final 16 unanswered points in the final four minutes of the game. They would begin the season with a 1–0 record and continue their home-field winning streak at 11 games. Allen also broke the record for most rushing touchdowns in Buffalo Bills franchise history, at a total of 67 and counting. This surpasses Thurman Thomas's record of 65.[50]
Week 2: at New York Jets
Week 2: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets– Game summary
After a down-to-the-wire win in Week 1, the Bills dominated the Jets in their first divisional game of the season, thanks to a strong rushing attack led by James Cook and a blitz-heavy defensive game plan, despite key defensive starters Ed Oliver and Taron Johnson missing the game due to injury. Notably, veteran cornerback Tre'Davious White made his first start with the Bills since 2023, having returned after a season-ending Achilles injury that year and playing the 2024 season on other teams. With a substantial lead in the fourth quarter, the Bills rested several starters as Jets backup quarterback and former Bill Tyrod Taylor threw a touchdown to Jeremy Ruckert in garbage time, filling in for starter Justin Fields, who struggled all game against the Bills' pass rush and left in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. With their 30–10 victory, the Bills improved to 2–0.
Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 3: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
Despite the Bills going into the game as heavy favorites, the Dolphins kept it close for much of the game. In the first quarter, Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II scored on the opening drive, which would be answered back by the Bills with a touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Dalton Kincaid. The second quarter featured another touchdown pass from Allen to third-string tight end Jackson Hawes. With this pass, Allen earned his 200th regular season passing touchdown and 300th overall touchdown, the latter surpassing a record set by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for fastest to achieve that milestone.[citation needed] After a missed field goal by Matt Prater, the Dolphins drove down the field and tied the game 14–14 at the half a with a touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle.
During the third quarter, the Bills would start off by marching down the field for a rushing touchdown by James Cook. After several three and outs by both teams, the Dolphins would answer back with a passing touchdown from Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill. As the Bills were punting the ball back on their following offensive drive, Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler drew a penalty for roughing kicker Cameron Johnston, giving the Bills the ball back and allowing them to score another passing touchdown from Allen to Khalil Shakir. The Dolphins then marched down the field to try and tie the game, but Tagovailoa threw a costly interception to Terrel Bernard, allowing the Bills to seal the game with a field goal by Matt Prater. With their 7th win over the Dolphins, their 12th consecutive win at Highmark Stadium, the Bills improved to 3–0.
Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 4: New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
Despite New Orleans covering the spread as a 15.5-point underdog and posing a challenge early on,[51] which included forcing Josh Allen to throw his first interception of the year, Buffalo pulled away in the fourth quarter with ten unanswered points after Cameron Johnston drew another roughing the punter penalty, this time on the Saints.[52] With the 31–19 win, the Bills improved to 4–0, becoming the last unbeaten team in the AFC and one of two remaining in the league, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles.[53] The victory also marked the Bills' first home win against the Saints since the 1983 season.[54]
Week 5: vs. New England Patriots
Week 5: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
The Bills put up a disappointing performance and were upset by the rival New England Patriots and former Bills receiver Stefon Diggs in a turnover-plagued 23–20 loss, their first at home to New England since 2021. They became the final undefeated NFL team to fall after the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Denver Broncos earlier that afternoon.[55]
With the loss, the Bills saw their 14-game regular-season home winning streak come to an end, along with their 13-game overall home winning streak and they fell to 4–1.[55][56]
Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons– Game summary
The Bills turned in another disappointing performance, with the defense allowing Falcons running back Bijan Robinson to rush for 170 yards on 19 carries and add six receptions for 68 yards, totaling a career-best 238 yards from scrimmage.[57] Robinson also scored on an 81-yard touchdown run, the longest run of the season so far.[58] Despite the defense holding in the second half, Buffalo's offense struggled, in addition to missing tight end Dalton Kincaid and losing Josh Palmer to a knee injury. The Bills lost to the Falcons 24–14, falling to 4–2 on the year, and to second place in the AFC East.[57]
Week 8: at Carolina Panthers
Week 8: Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers– Game summary
After back-to-back losses going into their bye week, the Bills dominated the Panthers with a 216-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance by James Cook and reinforcements on defense. Namely, defensive players Larry Ogunjobi, Michael Hoecht, and Maxwell Hairston made their debuts with the Bills, each helping Buffalo's defense stifle Carolina's rushing attack of Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, in addition to forcing Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton into committing three turnovers.[59] Unfortunately, Ed Oliver suffered another major injury, tearing his bicep tendon which required surgery.[60]
With the 40–9 win, the Bills improved to 5–2, earning their ninth consecutive win after a bye week. In addition to Cook reaching a new career high in rushing yards in a game, Josh Allen broke the NFL record for most games with a passing and rushing touchdown, with 46, surpassing former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.[61]
Week 9: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
In their sixth consecutive regular-season matchup, the Bills took a 21–13 lead over the Chiefs at halftime, with touchdowns from Dalton Kincaid, Ty Johnson, and Josh Allen. The Chiefs were limited to a Rashee Rice rushing touchdown and two field goals, the latter coming after Buffalo stopped Kansas City at the one-yard line. In the second half, both teams managed just one touchdown apiece as defensive play tightened. Maxwell Hairston intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter while covering Xavier Worthy, setting up the Bills to run out the clock. However, Matt Prater missed a potential game-sealing field goal attempt. With 22 seconds remaining and no timeouts, Mahomes advanced the Chiefs near the Buffalo 40-yard line, but the Bills’ defense held to secure a 28–21 victory, their fifth consecutive regular-season win over Kansas City, improving Buffalo’s record to 6–2.
With his performance, Josh Allen broke multiple records. He set a new franchise mark for completion percentage in a game with at least 15 passing attempts, completing 23 of 26 passes for an 88.5% completion rate. In addition, he surpassed Cam Newton for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history, including the postseason, with 79. In contrast, Patrick Mahomes was limited by the Bills’ defense to a career-low 44.1% completion rate, completing just 15 of 34 passes.[62]
Week 10: at Miami Dolphins
Week 10: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins– Game summary
Although the Bills entered the game as more than touchdown favorites (-8.5) they were dominated by the Dolphins, snapping their seven-game winning streak against Miami. This marked their first loss to the Dolphins since Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season. The Dolphins offense turned the ball over on their first drive - a Tua Tagovailoa throw intercepted by Cole Bishop - but quickly regrouped, out-gaining Buffalo 221 to 90 in the first half. The Bills offense stumbled against the Dolphins, not converting a first down until the third quarter, and not scoring until the fourth. The Dolphins took away the ball three times. Josh Allen performed poorly, giving the ball away twice, culminating in a QBR of just 28.7. He threw his sole interception in the end zone, picked off by Ifeatu Melifonwu.[63] In addition, Dalton Kincaid and rookie defender Landon Jackson were injured during the game, with Jackson joining Michael Hoecht, who suffered a torn Achilles the previous game, on injured reserve due to multiple torn knee ligaments.[64]
Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
After a brutal loss to their division rival, the Bills hosted the Buccaneers in what would become a back-and-forth shootout. The Bills pulled ahead in the fourth quarter with back-to-back touchdowns as Josh Allen scored six total touchdowns. As Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted a last-ditch comeback effort in the final moments, he was strip-sacked by Daquan Jones, with linebacker Dorian Williams recovering the fumble to clinch the win for Buffalo. With the 44–32 victory, the Bills improved to 7–3 record, also ensuring an undefeated record against the Buccaneers in Highmark Stadium.
Despite throwing two interceptions, including one on the Buffalo 5-yard line that set up Tampa Bay's first field goal, Josh Allen broke several more records, including matching Cam Newton's regular season rushing touchdown record at 75 and becoming the only player in NFL history to have two games with 3 passing and 3 rushing touchdowns. His first was in Week 14 at the Los Angeles Rams during the 2024 season. Head coach Sean McDermott also achieved his 100th career win across both the regular and postseason.[65]
Week 12: at Houston Texans
Week 12: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans– Game summary
The Texans’ defense, featuring pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, dominated the Bills’ offensive line, sacking Josh Allen eight times and intercepting him near the endzone to snuff out Buffalo's final drive which included a 44-yard hook and ladder on a fourth-and-27 play involving receivers Josh Palmer and Khalil Shakir. With the loss, the Bills fell to 7–4 and lost their sixth consecutive game in Houston.[66] The Bills dropped to 2–3 on the road.
Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13: Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers– Game summary
Coming off another tough loss, the Bills started off slow on offense against the Steelers, as Josh Allen threw an early pick and James Cook lost a fumble, setting up Jaylen Warren’s short touchdown run. Buffalo trailed 7–3 at halftime but erupted after the break. Pass rusher Joey Bosa strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers on Pittsburgh's first play from scrimmage in the third quarter as cornerback Christian Benford returned the fumble for a score. Benford then intercepted backup Mason Rudolph, who came into the game temporarily as Rodgers was injured, leading to Allen’s 1-yard strike to Keon Coleman. Allen added an 8-yard rushing touchdown, and Matt Prater nailed two field goals.
Despite starting offensive tackles Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins both missing the game due to injury, Buffalo’s ground game overwhelmed Pittsburgh, piling up 249 rushing yards — a record for a visiting team at Acrisure Stadium — by often using the same rushing play repeatedly, as the Bills offense held the ball for nearly 42 minutes. The 26–7 win lifted the Bills to 8–4.[67] It was also the most rushing yards allowed by the Steelers since 1975, when the Bills recorded 310 yards on the ground.[68] Josh Allen recorded his 76th rushing touchdown, surpassing Cam Newton’s mark for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history.[69]
Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
Following a dominant win the previous week, the Bills faced Joe Burrow and the Bengals in a snowy shootout game. Burrow and the Bengals scored touchdowns on each of their first three offensive drives, holding the lead for much of the game by as much as 10 points at times, in addition to forcing James Cook to fumble twice in the red zone. However, Buffalo took the lead after scoring 21 points in just four-and-a-half minutes in the fourth quarter, as Josh Allen scored on a 40-yard scramble and Burrow threw his first two interceptions of the year shortly afterwards, namely to Christian Benford, who scored a 63-yard pick-six touchdown, and edge rusher A. J. Epenesa, who set up Allen's passing score to Jackson Hawes. Cincinnati answered back quickly to cut the Bills' lead to 39–34, but Buffalo clinched the win on the ensuing drive as Allen rushed for 17 yards on a 3rd-and-15 play.
With the win, which was also Allen's first over Burrow,[70] the Bills improved to 9–4, earning their seventh consecutive winning season and their eighth over the past nine seasons. They also improved to 3–0 against the AFC North on the season.[71]
Week 15: at New England Patriots
Week 15: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots– Game summary
Looking to remain in contention for their sixth straight AFC East title, the Bills struggled in the first half, allowing the Patriots to build a 21–0 lead behind a strong rushing attack. However, similar to their previous two games, Buffalo surged from that point on, outscoring New England 28–3 to retake the lead early in the fourth quarter as the defense limited Drake Maye and the Patriots’ passing attack. Despite surrendering a long touchdown run to TreVeyon Henderson shortly thereafter, the Bills took the lead for good on a James Cook rushing touchdown. With the 35–31 victory, Buffalo improved to 10–4 and snapped the Patriots’ 10-game winning streak.[72]
The 21-point comeback was the Bills’ largest since overcoming a similar 21–0 first-half deficit against the Patriots during the 2011 season.[73] The 21-point comeback is the largest by a visiting team in the history of Gillette Stadium.[74] With two touchdown receptions, tight end Dawson Knox set a new Bills franchise record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end (26), surpassing Pete Metzelaars.[75]
With the Kansas City Chiefs eliminated from the playoffs, the Buffalo Bills now hold the NFL’s longest active playoff streak, having qualified for the postseason in every season since 2019.[76]
Week 16: at Cleveland Browns
Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns– Game summary
With their win and the following day’s loss by the Indianapolis Colts to the San Francisco 49ers, the Bills clinched a playoff berth, marking their seventh consecutive postseason appearance and the longest active playoff streak in the NFL.[77] The Bills would also be the only AFC East team to sweep the AFC North and become the 5th NFL team to have 6 consecutive seasons with 11 or more wins. Buffalo would finish 5-3 on the road.
Week 17: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
Trailing the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles 13–0 entering the fourth quarter, the Bills managed to mount a late rally to bring themselves back into the game. Josh Allen's two-yard touchdown run got Buffalo on the board with 5:11 remaining, but Matt Prater's extra point would be blocked, which would prove critical later in the game. After stopping the Eagles on defense, Allen scored his second touchdown to pull within one point with five seconds remaining. The Bills elected to go for two to try and win, but Allen's pass for Khalil Shakir sailed off-target and out of the end zone, sealing what would ultimately be Buffalo's last regular season loss at Highmark Stadium. With the upset loss, and the Patriots' win over the Jets earlier that day, the Bills fell to 11–5 (3–2 against the NFC) and they failed to clinch the AFC East title for the first time since 2019.
Week 18: vs. New York Jets
Week 18: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills– Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Jets
0
0
0
8
8
Bills
7
14
8
6
35
at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Date: January 4
Game time: 4:25p.m. EST
Game weather: Cloudy, 27°F (−3°C)
Game attendance: 70,944
Referee: Alan Eck
TV announcers(CBS): Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty and AJ Ross
Entering their final planned game at Highmark Stadium, the Bills mostly rested their starters, but still dominated the Jets for the much of the game, scoring 35 points behind backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and running back Ray Davis. With their final win at Highmark Stadium, the Bills finished the regular season at 12–5, 4–2 against the AFC East, and 7–2 at home. The Chargers' loss also ensured that the Bills would clinch the No. 6 seed and play the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card for the first time since 2017.
JAX – Parker Washington – 7 receptions, 107 yards, TD
Going into the playoffs as a wild card team for the first time in six years, the Bills were slight underdogs entering their first game of the postseason. The Bills took a 10–7 halftime lead in a defensive battle, exchanging a turnover apiece with the Jaguars with numerous punts as Josh Allen was checked by the Bills' medical staff twice. The Jaguars failed to capitalize on two scoring opportunities, as quarterback Trevor Lawrence was stopped short on fourth down inside the Bills' 10-yard line after Jacksonville recovered a fumbled kickoff return by Ray Davis, and kicker Cam Little missed a 54-yard field goal at the end of the half.
After exchanging field goals in the third quarter, Buffalo and Jacksonville combined for four touchdowns in the fourth quarter, switching leads with each score. Despite two passing touchdowns from Lawrence to Parker Washington and Travis Etienne, Allen passed for one to Dalton Kincaid and rushed for one to put the Bills in the lead with just over a minute left. With no timeouts remaining for Jacksonville, Lawrence was intercepted by Cole Bishop off a deflected pass on the ensuing drive, sealing the win for Buffalo.
With the 27–24 win, which was also their first road playoff win since 1992, the Bills advanced to the Divisional Round for the sixth consecutive year. In addition, this was also the first time the Bills defeated the Jaguars in the playoffs.[78]
AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Denver Broncos
AFC Divisional Playoffs: (6) Buffalo Bills at (1) Denver Broncos– Game summary
Though they did not face them in the regular season, this will be the second consecutive year that the Bills will face the Broncos in the postseason. Last year, the Bills defeated the Broncos 31–7 at home in the Wild Card Round. They are looking to advance to their second consecutive AFC Championship game.
12Denver finished ahead of New England based on common games (Denver 6–0 to New England 5–1 against: Cincinnati, Las Vegas, NY Giants, NY Jets and Tennessee).
12Houston finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory.
12Indianapolis finished ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (Indianapolis 6–6 to Baltimore 5–7).
12Cincinnati finished ahead of Kansas City based on conference record (Cincinnati 5–7 to Kansas City 3–9).
123Las Vegas finished ahead of NY Jets and Tennessee based on conference record (Las Vegas 3–9 to NY Jets 2–10 and Tennessee 2–10).
12NY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on strength of victory (NY Jets .373 to Tennessee .275).
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