2011 Buffalo Bills season

52nd season in franchise history; noted for collapse after strong start

The 2011 Buffalo Bills season was the team's 42nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and its 52nd overall. The Bills improved on their 4–12 record from the 2010 season, winning six games. They won their first three games of the year, which included a victory over New England for their first victory over the Patriots since 2003. However, the team sputtered down the stretch (with a seven game losing streak proving costly), missing the playoffs for the twelfth consecutive season; the team had not made the playoffs since 1999, the longest standing playoff drought in the NFL at the time after the Detroit Lions made the playoffs for the first time since 1999 during this season.

Overview

In week 3 of the season, the Bills broke a 15-game losing streak that the team had accrued against the New England Patriots that dated to opening day of the 2003 season; Buffalo defeated the Patriots, 34–31. In doing so, the 2011 Bills became the only team since before 1950 (when comprehensive statistical record keeping began) to win two consecutive games in which they trailed by at least 18 points; they overcame a 21–3 deficit to Oakland in Week 2 and a 21–0 deficit to New England in Week 3. Incidentally, Buffalo's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals the following week was the Bills' first loss to Cincinnati since the 1988 AFC Championship game; that streak had been the longest winning streak by one team over another after Buffalo snapped their losing streak to New England.

The Bills started the season with a 5–2 record, positioned to make the playoffs, before losing eight of their final nine games, eliminating them from the playoffs. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson set a franchise mark as the only receiver in Bills history to record two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. No other Bills receiver – including Andre Reed, James Lofton, Eric Moulds or Lee Evans – had done so. Buffalo's offense only surrendered 23 sacks all season, the fewest in the NFL.[1]

Strong start, weak finish

The Bills were looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, and enjoyed a 3–0 start, including a 21-point comeback against the New England Patriots in week 3. However, after a dominating Week Eight shutout win over Washington in Toronto (their only victory north of the border, as their Toronto Series was cancelled after the 2013 season), improving the team's record to 5-2, the remainder of the Bills' season was plagued by injuries to key starters. As a result, Buffalo suffered a seven-game losing streak to the New York Jets (twice), Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins (twice), Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers, with the Week 14 loss to San Diego eliminating the team from postseason contention. With the Detroit Lions earning a playoff spot in Week 16, and the Houston Texans winning the AFC South in 2011, the Bills took sole possession of the NFL's longest current playoff drought, at 12 and counting.

The 2011 losing streak was eventually broken by defeating the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve, a game that was blacked out in Western New York due to poor ticket sales. In the first seven games of the season (of which the Bills won five), the Bills had a +9 turnover differential (18 takeaways, 9 giveaways); from Week 9 until the end of the season, the Bills gave the ball away 21 times, with only 12 takeaways. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started the season strongly, posting a 97.8 passer rating and a 14/7 touchdown-interception ratio through the first seven games; in the final nine games, Fitzpatrick threw ten touchdowns and 16 interceptions, with a 66.5 quarterback rating in that span. His 23 total interceptions were the most thrown by any quarterback in the league in 2011. He threw only 5 interceptions total in the Bills' six wins and 18 in their ten losses. Bills wide receiver David Nelson stated that Fitzpatrick was injured by Redskins linebacker London Fletcher in Week 8, the last win before the losing streak began. Said Nelson, "A lot of people don't know, but Fitz during the Washington game actually cracked a couple of ribs. So after that, he was playing hurt."[2]

Key injuries

Notable injuries included linebacker Shawne Merriman, center Eric Wood, cornerback Terrence McGee,[3] star nose tackle Kyle Williams (as well as backup Torell Troup) and star running back Fred Jackson, all of whom were placed on injured reserve to end their respective seasons.[a][4] The Bills also lost two wide receivers that did not contribute significantly during the 2011 season, Marcus Easley and Roscoe Parrish, to IR (the former missing his second full season, the latter coming off a strong 2010 season) and two kickers, incumbent starter Rian Lindell and replacement Dave Rayner; the Bills were compelled to sign a third-string kicker, Brandon Coutu, for the final game of the 2011 season against New England.[5] Rookie Marcell Dareus also admitted to playing much of the season with numerous injuries, but continued to stay on the field out of a personal obligation to the team.[6] Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick also sustained an undisclosed injury as stated above, but was never listed on the injury report (nor was the injury ever specified) and Fitzpatrick continued to play the rest of the season.[7]

Offseason

Uniform change

On February 9, 2011, the Bills announced that the team planned to introduce redesigned uniforms for the 2011 season. No details were given on what the uniforms would look like, but it was said that the charging buffalo logo would be kept. Later reports leaked by a Madden NFL 12 trailer, and said to be confirmed by the league, indicated the team would be adopting the uniforms the team wore between 1975 and 1983.[8] It was also announced that an official unveiling of the new uniforms would be at a fan appreciation event later in the summer.[citation needed] The uniforms were unveiled on June 24, 2011. The team also announced that the U.S. military will be involved in the unveiling.[9]

Due to the 2011 NFL lockout that ran from March 11 – July 25, actual Bills' players were prohibited from attending the event. Instead, models from the New York National Guard, along with former Bills' Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, modeled the new uniforms.[10] This was the first full redesign of the team’s uniforms since the 2002 season.

The Bills wore their white jerseys at home against the New York Jets in Week Nine.[11][12]

Draft

2011 Buffalo Bills draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 3 Marcell Dareus *  DT Alabama
2 34 Aaron Williams  CB Texas
3 68 Kelvin Sheppard  LB LSU
4 100 Da'Norris Searcy  SS North Carolina
4 122 Chris Hairston  OT Clemson Pick from SEA[a]
5 133 Johnny White  RB North Carolina
6 169 Chris White  LB Mississippi St
7 206 Justin Rogers  CB Richmond
7 245 Michael Jasper  DT Bethel (TN) Compensatory[b]
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
^[a] The Bills acquired this fourth-round selection and a 2012 conditional draft selection in an October 2010 trade that sent RB Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks.
^[b] Compensatory selection.

Staff

Buffalo Bills 2011 staff
Front office
  • President – Ralph Wilson
  • CEO – Russ Brandon
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Buddy Nix
  • Senior vice president of football administration – Jim Overdorf
  • Director of Football Administration – Don Purdy
  • Assistant general manager/director of player personnel – Doug Whaley
  • Player Personnel Analyst – Kevin Meganck
  • Director of pro personnel – Tom Gibbons
  • Pro Personnel Coordinator – Rob Hanrahan
  • Director of college scouting – Chuck Cook

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – George Edwards
  • Defensive line – Giff Smith
  • Outside linebackers – Bob Sanders
  • Defensive backs – George Catavolos
  • Defensive quality control – Adrian White

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Bruce DeHaven
  • Assistant special teams – Stan Kwan

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Eric Ciano
  • Head strength and conditioning – John Gamble

Final roster

2011 Buffalo Bills final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 83 Mike Caussin TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 33 Jon Corto FS (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 81 Marcus Easley WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 36 Bruce Hall RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 22 Fred Jackson RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 19 Donald Jones WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  •  9 Rian Lindell K (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 24 Terrence McGee CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 56 Shawne Merriman OLB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 11 Roscoe Parrish WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  •  3 Dave Rayner K (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 85 Lee Smith TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 53 Reggie Torbor OLB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 96 Torell Troup DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 51 Chris White OLB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 95 Kyle Williams DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 70 Eric Wood C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 17 inactive, 8 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 13 at Chicago Bears L 3–10 0–1 Soldier Field Recap
2 August 20 at Denver Broncos L 10–24 0–2 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
3 August 27 Jacksonville Jaguars W 35–32 (OT) 1–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
4 September 1 Detroit Lions L 6–16 1–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 11 at Kansas City Chiefs W 41–7 1–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2 September 18 Oakland Raiders W 38–35 2–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
3 September 25 New England Patriots W 34–31 3–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
4 October 2 at Cincinnati Bengals L 20–23 3–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
5 October 9 Philadelphia Eagles W 31–24 4–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
6 October 16 at New York Giants L 24–27 4–2 MetLife Stadium Recap
7 Bye
8 October 30 Washington Redskins W 23–0 5–2 Rogers Centre (Toronto) Recap
9 November 6 New York Jets L 11–27 5–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
10 November 13 at Dallas Cowboys L 7–44 5–4 Cowboys Stadium Recap
11 November 20 at Miami Dolphins L 8–35 5–5 Sun Life Stadium Recap
12 November 27 at New York Jets L 24–28 5–6 MetLife Stadium Recap
13 December 4 Tennessee Titans L 17–23 5–7 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
14 December 11 at San Diego Chargers L 10–37 5–8 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
15 December 18 Miami Dolphins L 23–30 5–9 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Denver Broncos W 40–14 6–9 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
17 January 1 at New England Patriots L 21–49 6–10 Gillette Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
 #  Indicates the game was part of the Bills Toronto Series.

Game summaries

Week 1

1 234Total
• Bills 14 6147 41
Chiefs 0 700 7
Scoring summary
Q112:14BUFScott Chandler 4 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 7-0
Q10:55BUFStevie Johnson 27 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 14-0
Q26:42BUFRian Lindell 27 yard field goalBUF 17-0
Q25:38BUFRian Lindell 38 yard field goalBUF 20-0
Q21:46KCJamaal Charles 6 yard pass from Matt Cassel (Ryan Succop kick)BUF 20-7
Q34:19BUFScott Chandler 11 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 27-7
Q30:14BUFDonald Jones 4 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 34-7
Q411:50BUFC. J. Spiller 9 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 41-7

[13]

With the win, the Bills start 1-0.

Week 2

1 234Total
Raiders 0 21014 35
• Bills 0 31421 38
Scoring summary
Q211:33OAKMichael Bush 1 yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick)OAK 7–0
Q28:08OAKDarren McFadden 5 yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick)OAK 14–0
Q22:22BUFRian Lindell 25 yard field goalOAK 14–3
Q21:22OAKJason Campbell 1 yard run (Sebastain Janikowski kick)OAK 21–3
Q313:26BUFFred Jackson 43 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)OAK 21–10
Q33:41BUFStevie Johnson 7 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)OAK 21–17
Q414:10BUFFred Jackson 1 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 24–21
Q49:18OAKDarren McFadden 12 yard pass from Jason Campbell (Sebastian Janikowski kick)OAK 28–24
Q44:48BUFScott Chandler 6 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 31–28
Q43:41OAKDenarius Moore 50 yard pass from Jason Campbell (Sebastain Janikowski kick)OAK 35–31
Q4:14BUFDavid Nelson 6 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 38–35

[14]

Week 3

1 234Total
Patriots 14 737 31
• Bills 0 10717 34
Scoring summary
Q19:45NEWes Welker 14 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick)NE 7–0
Q16:01NERob Gronkowski 1 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick)NE 14–0
Q26:01NERob Gronkowski 26 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick)NE 21–0
Q21:56BUFStevie Johnson 11 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)NE 21–7
Q2:03BUFRian Lindell 42 yard field goalNE 21–10
Q39:34BUFScott Chandler 3 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)NE 21–17
Q34:51NEStephen Gostkowski 23 yard field goalNE 24–17
Q410:36BUFFred Jackson 1 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)Tie 24–24
Q410:22BUFDrayton Florence 27 yard interception return (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 31–24
Q43:25NEWes Welker 6 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick)Tie 31–31
Q4:00BUFRian Lindell 28 yard field goalBUF 34–31

With the stunning win, the Bills improved to 3-0.

Week 4

1 234Total
Bills 0 1703 20
• Bengals 3 01010 23
Scoring summary
Q12:02CINMike Nugent 31 yard field goalCIN 3–0
Q213:33BUFRian Lindell 43 yard field goalTie 3–3
Q23:10BUFBryan Scott 43 yard interception return (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 10–3
Q2:40BUFFred Jackson 2 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 17–3
Q311:23CINMike Nugent 21 yard field goalBUF 17–6
Q35:26CINJermaine Gresham 17 yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick)BUF 17–13
Q411:22BUFRian Lindell 23 yard field goalBUF 20–13
Q44:09CINAndy Dalton 3 yard run (Mike Nugent kick)Tie 20–20
Q4:00CINMike Nugent 43 yard field goalCIN 23–20

Week 5

1 234Total
Eagles 0 7710 24
• Bills 7 14100 31
Scoring summary
Q18:03BUFFred Jackson 5 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 7–0
Q212:42PHIJeremy Maclin 2 yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick)Tie 7–7
Q29:17BUFDavid Nelson 6 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 14–7
Q29:00BUFNick Barnett 31 yard interception return (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 21–7
Q39:11BUFBrad Smith 5 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 28–7
Q37:17PHILeSean McCoy 10 yard run (Alex Henery kick)BUF 28–14
Q31:15BUFRian Lindell 25 yard field goalBUF 31–14
Q414:51PHIDeSean Jackson 31 yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick)BUF 31–21
Q49:29PHIAlex Henery 35 yard field goalBUF 31–24

Week 6

1 234Total
Bills 14 307 24
• Giants 7 1073 27
Scoring summary
Q15:20NYGAhmad Bradshaw 1 yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick)NYG 7–0
Q15:06BUFFred Jackson 80 yard run (Rian Lindell kick)Tie 7–7
Q1:24BUFNaaman Roosevelt 60 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 14–7
Q29:51NYGLawrence Tynes 26 yard field goalBUF 14–10
Q22:58NYGAhmad Bradshaw 1 yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick)NYG 17–14
Q2:39BUFRian Lindell 49 yard field goalTie 17–17
Q36:53NYGAhmad Bradshaw 1 yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick)NYG 24–17
Q48:57BUFStevie Johnson 9 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)Tie 24–24
Q41:32NYGLawrence Tynes 23 yard field goalNYG 27–24

Week 8

1 234Total
Redskins 0 000 0
• Bills 7 673 23
Scoring summary
Q15:11BUFScott Chandler 20 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 7–0
Q28:45BUFRian Lindell 37 yard field goalBUF 10–0
Q2:00BUFRian Lindell 44 yard field goalBUF 13–0
Q310:56BUFScott Chandler 15 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 20–0
Q43:26BUFRian Lindell 41 yard field goalBUF 23–0

Week 9

1 234Total
• Jets 0 3177 27
Bills 0 0011 11
Scoring summary
Q22:55NYJNick Folk 49 yard field goalNYJ 3–0
Q310:16NYJNick Folk 50 yard field goalNYJ 6–0
Q38:34NYJLaDainian Tomlinson 1 yard run (Nick Folk kick)NYJ 13–0
Q34:47BUFRian Lindell 24 yard field goalNYJ 13–3
Q33:27NYJSantonio Holmes 8 yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick)NYJ 20–3
Q46:27NYJJohn Conner 1 yard run (Nick Folk kick)NYJ 27–3
Q43:14BUFDavid Nelson 7 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Ryan Fitzpatrick run)NYJ 27–11

[15]

Week 10

1 234Total
Bills 0 700 7
• Cowboys 14 14610 44
Scoring summary
Q112:12DALDez Bryant 34 yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick)DAL 7–0
Q13:05DALLaurent Robinson 5 yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick)DAL 14–0
Q212:17DALLaurent Robinson 58 yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick)DAL 21–0
Q28:16BUFDavid Nelson 3 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dave Rayner kick)DAL 21–7
Q21:05DALDeMarco Murray 1 yard run (Dan Bailey kick)DAL 28–7
Q32:25DALDan Bailey 45 yard field goalDAL 31–7
Q3:16DALDan Bailey 36 yard field goalDAL 34–7
Q45:11DALDan Bailey 31 yard field goalDAL 37–7
Q44:54DALTerrence Newman 43 yard interception return (Dan Bailey kick)DAL 44–7

[16]

Week 11

1 234Total
Bills 3 302 8
• Dolphins 14 1470 35
Scoring summary
Q110:13BUFDave Rayner 30 yard field goalBUF 3–0
Q13:28MIAAnthony Fasano 1 yard pass from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick)MIA 7–3
Q1:58MIAReggie Bush 5 yard run (Shayne Graham kick)MIA 14–3
Q212:45MIACharles Clay 12 yard pass from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick)MIA 21–3
Q21:36MIADavone Bess 4 yard pass from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick)MIA 28–3
Q310:08MIALex Hilliard recovered blocked punt in end zone (Shayne Graham kick)MIA 35–3
Q413:25BUFSafety, Daniel Thomas tackled by Kelvin Sheppard in end zoneMIA 35–5

[17]

Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Bills flew to Sun Life Stadium for a Week 11 AFC East showdown with the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo delivered the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Dave Rayner, but the Dolphins answered with quarterback Matt Moore completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano, followed by running back Reggie Bush getting a 5-yard touchdown run. Miami added onto their lead in the second quarter with Moore completing a 12-yard touchdown pass to fullback Charles Clay and a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Davone Bess. The Bills would close out the half with a 56-yard field goal from Rayner.

The Dolphins added onto Buffalo's misery in the third quarter with running back Lex Hilliard recovering a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown. The Bills tried to rally in the fourth quarter as rookie linebacker Kelvin Sheppard tackled running back Daniel Thomas in the endzone for a safety, but Miami's lead proved to be too much to overcome.

With the loss, Buffalo fell to 5–5.

Week 12

1 234Total
Bills 7 773 24
• Jets 0 1477 28
Scoring summary
Q11:38BUFDavid Nelson 8 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 7–0
Q212:02NYJDustin Keller 3 yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick)Tie 7–7
Q22:06BUFStevie Johnson 5 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick)BUF 14–7
Q21:03NYJPlaxico Burress 14 yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick)Tie 14–14
Q33:50NYJDustin Keller 18 yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick)NYJ 21–14
Q32:11BUFBrad Smith 36 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dave Rayner kick)Tie 21–21
Q49:46BUFDave Rayner 53 yard field goalBUF 24–21
Q41:01NYJSantonio Holmes 16 yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick)NYJ 28–24

[18]

Week 13

1 234Total
• Titans 10 733 23
Bills 7 307 17
Scoring summary
Q112:27TENRob Bironas 48 yard field goalTEN 3–0
Q17:17BUFC. J. Spiller 35 yard field goal (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 7–3
Q15:50TENChris Johnson 48 yard run (Rob Bironas kick)TEN 10–7
Q213:48TENChris Johnson 4 yard run (Rob Bironas kick)TEN 17–7
Q26:46BUFDave Rayner 27 yard field goalTEN 17–10
Q36:45TENRob Bironas 27 yard field goalTEN 20–10
Q48:55TENRob Bironas 44 yard field goalTEN 23–10
Q42:58BUFStevie Johnson 2 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dave Rayner kick)TEN 23–17

[19]

Week 14

1 234Total
Bills 0 0100 10
• Chargers 7 9147 37
Scoring summary
Q17:52SDAntonio Gates 7 yard pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick)SD 7–0
Q214:16SDMike Tolbert 1 yard run (kick blocked)SD 13–0
Q26:41SDNick Novak 47 yard field goalSD 16–0
Q311:43BUFDave Rayner 37 yard field goalSD 16–3
Q310:11BUFBryan Scott recovered fumble in end zone (Dave Rayner kick)SD 16–10
Q34:11SDAntonio Gates 2 yard pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick)SD 23–10
Q34:02SDSteve Gregory 26 yard interception return (Nick Novak kick)SD 30–10
Q49:01SDPatrick Crayton 26 yard pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick)SD 37–10

[20]

Week 15

1 234Total
• Dolphins 0 13710 30
Bills 7 0016 23
Scoring summary
Q14:53BUFC. J. Spiller 24 yard run (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 7–0
Q214:52MIAAnthony Fasano 22 yard pass from Matt Moore (Dan Carpenter kick)Tie 7–7
Q28:34MIADan Carpenter 20 yard field goalMIA 10–7
Q26:05MIADan Carpenter 26 yard field goalMIA 13–7
Q312:06MIABrandon Marshall 65 yard pass from Matt Moore (Dan Carpenter kick)MIA 20–7
Q411:46MIADan Carpenter 26 yard field goalMIA 23–7
Q45:54BUFC. J. Spiller 3 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (pass failed)MIA 23–13
Q45:41MIAReggie Bush 76 yard run (Dan Carpenter kick)MIA 30–13
Q42:27BUFDerek Hagan 2 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dave Rayner kick)MIA 30–20
Q41:22BUFDave Rayner 34 yard field goalMIA 30–23

[21]

Week 16

1 234Total
Broncos 7 070 14
• Bills 0 17617 40
Scoring summary
Q17:13DENTim Tebow 1 yard run (Matt Prater kick)DEN 7–0
Q26:06BUFDave Rayner 28 yard field goalDEN 7–3
Q24:05BUFLeodis McKelvin 80 yard punt return (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 10–7
Q2:19BUFC. J. Spiller 4 yard run (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 17–7
Q311:42DENDaniel Fells 17 yard pass from Tim Tebow (Matt Prater kick)BUF 17–14
Q36:19BUFDave Rayner 25 yard field goalBUF 20–14
Q32:32BUFDave Rayner 25 yard field goalBUF 23–14
Q413:26BUFDave Rayner 29 yard field goalBUF 26–14
Q48:03BUFJarius Byrd 37 yard interception return (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 33–14
Q47:45BUFSpencer Johnson 17 yard fumble return (Dave Rayner kick)BUF 40–14

[22]

Week 17

1 234Total
Bills 21 000 21
• Patriots 0 141421 49
Scoring summary
Q111:18BUFTashard Choice 1 yard run (Brandon Coutu kick)BUF 7–0
Q15:19BUFStevie Johnson 18 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Brandon Coutu kick)BUF 14–0
Q1:48BUFC. J. Spiller 15 yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Brandon Coutu kick)BUF 21–0
Q211:58NEBenJarvus Green-Ellis 1 yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick)BUF 21–7
Q25:42NEAaron Hernandez 39 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick)BUF 21–14
Q312:19NEStephen Gostkowski 47 yard field goalBUF 21–17
Q35:13NEStephen Gostkowski 20 yard field goalBUF 21–20
Q31:32NERob Gronkowski 17 yard pass from Tom Brady (Danny Woodhead run)NE 28–21
Q411:16NEBenJarvus Green-Ellis 3 yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick)NE 35–21
Q43:02NERob Gronkowski 7 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick)NE 42–21
Q42:55NESterling Moore 21 yard interception return (Stephen Gostkowski kick)NE 49–21

[23]

Buffalo's final game of the season was a 49–21 loss to New England on New Year's Day 2012. In a mirror image of Week Three, the Bills opened a 21–0 on New England, before giving up 49 unanswered points to the high-powered Patriot offense. Head coach Chan Gailey benched wide receiver Stevie Johnson after Johnson caught a touchdown, then lifted his jersey to reveal "Happy New Year" on his shirt. The touchdown was Johnson's final play of the season as he was benched for the rest of the game. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, New England, who won by 28, became the first team in NFL history to win a game by more than eight points after trailing by more than 20 points after one quarter.[24] It was also the first time in a two-game season series that the winning team in each game overcame a deficit of more than 17 points.[25] With the loss, the Bills finished with a 6–10 record and secured the 10th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Standings

AFC East
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W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) New England Patriots 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 513 342 W8
New York Jets 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 394 382 L3
Miami Dolphins 6 10 0 .375 3–3 5–7 348 330 W1
Buffalo Bills 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 372 434 L1

Notes

  1. ^ Fred Jackson's deactivation was somewhat controversial, as it disqualified him from Pro Bowl consideration; Jackson, whose leg was expected to heal by the time of the Pro Bowl, was a contender for the game and would have been the only Bill to make the team, since the Bills had no players named to the contest. At the end of Week 10 (the game in which Jackson was injured), he was leading the NFL in rushing yards, with 917.

References

  1. ^ 2011 Buffalo Bills: Team Allows Fewest Sacks In NFL
  2. ^ Galliford, Brian (February 4, 2012). "Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick Played Hurt, Per David Nelson". Buffalo Rumblings. SB Nation.
  3. ^ "BuffaloBills.com: McGee out for season; Jackson, Jones also hurt". Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  4. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, in 2011, in the regular season, from 1st week to 10th week, sorted by descending Rushing Yds
  5. ^ ESPN: Buffalo Bills Transactions – 2011
  6. ^ Sullivan, Jerry (December 29, 2011). Rookie year an education for Dareus. The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  7. ^ Cortez was the only logical choice to run the Ti-Cats. The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  8. ^ Graham, Tim (April 25, 2011). "Promo video leaks Buffalo's new uniforms". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  9. ^ After the unveiling, there was a movie screening The Blind Side which was scheduled to round out the unveiling and fan appreciation event. Fans could vote for which film they want to see on the Bills' Facebook page.
  10. ^ Brown, Chris (June 24, 2011). "Bills put charge in new uniforms". BuffaloBills.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  11. ^ The Bills hadn't worn white at home since 1986 vs. Indianapolis
  12. ^ Major, Andy (November 2, 2011). "Bills to wear white jerseys on Sunday". BuffaloBills.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  13. ^ Game Book
  14. ^ Game Book
  15. ^ Game Book
  16. ^ Game Book
  17. ^ Game Book
  18. ^ Game Book
  19. ^ Game Book
  20. ^ Game Book
  21. ^ Game Book
  22. ^ Game Book
  23. ^ Game Book
  24. ^ "Team Game Finder".
  25. ^ ESPN: Elias Sports Bureau, 2 January, 2012
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