2018 Buffalo Bills season

2018 Buffalo Bills season
Head coach Sean McDermott
General manager Brandon Beane
Owner Terry and Kim Pegula
Home field New Era Field
Results
Record 2–3
Division place 3rd AFC East
Uniform

The 2018 season is the Buffalo Bills' 59th season in the National Football League, their fourth full season under the ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula, and their second under both general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott. The team previously finished with a 9–7 record in 2017 and returned to the playoffs for the first time after having not been to the playoffs since 1999.

Offseason

On May 1, 2018, three weeks after the 2017–18 Buffalo Sabres season ended, team president Russ Brandon announced his resignation from Pegula Sports and Entertainment.[1] In a statement to the press, Brandon stated that the departure had been planned since he had reached 20 years with the Bills in November 2017 and that he fulfilled his duties to the Bills and Sabres for the remainder of the Sabres' season before tendering his resignation. A report in The Buffalo News claimed that Brandon had been subject to an internal investigation regarding inappropriate relationships with female employees;[2] neither the Bills, Sabres nor Brandon mentioned such in their statements.[3]

Transactions

Front office changes

PositionNameReason2018 replacementDateNotes
President Russ Brandon Resigned Kim Pegula May 1

Free Agency

Arrivals

PositionPlayer2017 TeamDate signedNotes
CBVontae DavisIndianapolis ColtsFebruary 26, 2018[4]1-year/$5 million
RBChris IvoryJacksonville JaguarsMarch 6, 2018[5]2-year/$5.5 million
DEOwa OdighizuwaNew York GiantsMarch 8, 2018[6]Reserve/future
CBRafael BushNew Orleans SaintsMarch 14, 2018[7]2-year/$4.5 million
DTStar LotuleleiCarolina PanthersMarch 14, 2018[8]5-year/$50 million
LBJulian StanfordNew York JetsMarch 14, 2018[8]2-year/$3 million
LB/DETrent MurphyWashington RedskinsMarch 14, 2018[8]2-year/$5.5 million
QBA.J. McCarronCincinnati BengalsMarch 14, 2018[8]2-year/$10 million
CRussell BodineCincinnati BengalsMarch 19, 2018[9]2-year/5 million
OTMarshall NewhouseOakland RaidersMarch 19, 2018[10]1-year
WRJeremy KerleyNew York JetsApril 16, 2018[11]1-year
DTTenny PalepoiLos Angeles ChargersApril 16, 2018[11]1-year

Departures

PositionPlayer2018 TeamDate signedNotes
OTSeantrel HendersonHouston TexansMarch 14, 2018[12]
LBPreston BrownCincinnati BengalsMarch 16, 2018[13]
WRDeonte ThompsonDallas CowboysMarch 22, 2018[14]
CBE.J. GainesCleveland BrownsMarch 23, 2018[15]
WRJordan MatthewsNew England PatriotsApril 6, 2018[16]

Draft

2018 Buffalo Bills Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
17 Josh AllenQBWyomingFrom Tampa Bay
16 Tremaine EdmundsOLBVirginia TechFrom Baltimore
396 Harrison PhillipsDTStanfordFrom Philadelphia
4121 Taron JohnsonCBWeber St.
5154 Siran NealSJacksonville St.From Baltimore
166 Wyatt TellerGVirginia TechFrom Jacksonville
6187 Ray-Ray McCloudWRClemsonFrom Cincinnati
7255 Austin ProehlWRNorth CarolinaFrom Tampa Bay

Draft trades

  • The Bills traded their first- and second-round selections (12th, 53rd and 56th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Tampa Bay's first- and seventh-round selections (7th and 255th overall).[17]
  • The Bills traded their first- and third-round selections (22nd and 65th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Baltimore's first- and fifth-round selections (16th and 154th overall)[18]
  • The Bills traded their first- and fifth-round selections (21st and 158th overall) and offensive tackle Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for Cincinnati's first- and sixth-round selections (12th and 187th overall).[19]
  • The Bills traded their first-round selection in 2017 (10th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Kansas City's first-round selection (22nd overall) as well as their first- and third-round selections in 2017 (27th and 91st overall).
  • The Bills traded their sixth-round selection (195th overall) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the Rams' second-round selection (56th overall) and cornerback E.J. Gaines.
  • The Bills traded quarterback Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's third-round selection (65th).[19]
  • The Bills traded their third-round selection (85th overall), quarterback Cardale Jones and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers (234th overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
  • The Bills traded cornerback Ronald Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's third-round selection (96th overall) and wide receiver Jordan Matthews.
  • The Bills traded defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a conditional sixth-round selection, which became a fifth-round selection (166th overall) after Dareus remained on Jacksonville's roster for the remainder of the 2017 season and the Jaguars made the playoffs.
  • The Bills traded their seventh-round selection (239th overall) to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for linebacker Lerentee McCray.

Trades

Player/picks acquiredFromDate tradedPlayers/picks tradedSource
2018 3rd-round pick (65th overall)Cleveland BrownsMarch 14, 2018QB Tyrod Taylor[20]
2018 1st-round pick (12th overall)
2018 6th-round pick (187th overall)		Cincinnati BengalsMarch 14, 2018T Cordy Glenn
2018 1st-round pick (21st overall)
2018 5th-round pick (158th overall)		[21]
WR Corey ColemanCleveland BrownsAugust 5, 20182020 7th-round pick[22]
2019 5th-round pickOakland RaidersSeptember 1, 2018QB AJ McCarron[23]

Staff

Buffalo Bills staff
Front office
  • Owner/CEO – Terry Pegula
  • Owner/president – Kim Pegula
  • General manager – Brandon Beane
  • Assistant general manager – Joe Schoen
  • Director of player personnel – Dan Morgan
  • College scouting director – Terrance Gray
  • Senior VP of football administration – Jim Overdorf
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Lake Dawson
  • Director of pro personnel – Malik Boyd
Head coach
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Leslie Frazier
  • Defensive line – Bill Teerlinck
  • Assistant defensive line – Aaron Whitecotton
  • Linebackers – Bob Babich
  • Defensive backs – John Butler
  • Safeties – Bobby Babich
  • Defensive assistant – Jim Salgado
  • Defensive quality control – John Egorugwu
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams – Danny Crossman
  • Assistant special teams – Matt Smiley
Strength and conditioning
  • Head strength and conditioning – Eric Ciano
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Hal Luther
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jason Oszvart
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Mark Loecher
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Will Greenberg

→ Coaching staff
→ Management
→ More NFL staffs

AFC East
BUF
MIA
NE
NYJ
North
BAL
CIN
CLE
PIT
South
HOU
IND
JAX
TEN
West
DEN
KC
LAC
OAK
NFC East
DAL
NYG
PHI
WAS
North
CHI
DET
GB
MIN
South
ATL
CAR
NO
TB
West
ARI
LAR
SF
SEA

Current roster

Buffalo Bills roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists

Practice squad

Rookies in italics

Roster updated October 11, 2018
Depth chart • Transactions
53 Active, 2 Inactive, 10 Practice squad

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters
AFC East
BUF
MIA
NE
NYJ
North
BAL
CIN
CLE
PIT
South
HOU
IND
JAX
TEN
West
DEN
KC
LAC
OAK
NFC East
DAL
NYG
PHI
WAS
North
CHI
DET
GB
MIN
South
ATL
CAR
NO
TB
West
ARI
LAR
SF
SEA

Preseason

The Bills' preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 11, 2018.[24] For the first time since at least 2005, the Detroit Lions, who the Bills will play in Week 15, are not included on the preseason schedule.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 August 9 Carolina Panthers L 23–28 0–1 New Era Field Recap
2 August 17 at Cleveland Browns W 19–17 1–1 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
3 August 26 Cincinnati Bengals L 13–26 1–2 New Era Field Recap
4 August 30 at Chicago Bears W 28–27 2–2 Soldier Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Bills' 2018 schedule was announced on April 19, 2018.

WeekDateKickoff (ET)OpponentResultRecordGame siteTVNFL.com
recap
1 September 9 1:00 p.m. at Baltimore Ravens L 3–47 0–1 M&T Bank Stadium CBS Recap
2 September 16 1:00 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers L 20–31 0–2 New Era Field CBS Recap
3 September 23 1:00 p.m. at Minnesota Vikings W 27–6 1–2 U.S. Bank Stadium CBS Recap
4 September 30 1:00 p.m. at Green Bay Packers L 0–22 1–3 Lambeau Field CBS Recap
5 October 7 1:00 p.m. Tennessee Titans W 13–12 2–3 New Era Field CBS Recap
6 October 14 1:00 p.m. at Houston Texans NRG Stadium CBS
7 October 21 1:00 p.m. at Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium CBS
8 October 29 8:15 p.m. New England Patriots New Era Field ESPN
9 November 4 1:00 p.m. Chicago Bears New Era Field Fox
10 November 11 1:00 p.m. at New York Jets MetLife Stadium CBS
11 Bye
12 November 25 1:00 p.m. Jacksonville Jaguars New Era Field CBS
13 December 2 1:00 p.m. at Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium CBS
14 December 9 1:00 p.m. New York Jets New Era Field CBS
15 December 16 1:00 p.m. Detroit Lions New Era Field Fox
16 December 23 1:00 p.m. at New England Patriots Gillette Stadium CBS
17 December 30 1:00 p.m. Miami Dolphins New Era Field CBS

Notes

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times from Weeks 7 to 17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling with the exception of Week 8 (Monday Night Football).
  • The broadcast simulcast partner for the ESPN game has not yet been determined. WKBW-TV, which previously held the rights, had its contract expire after the 2017 season, but may have a right of first refusal clause. WGRZ and WUTV have both expressed intent on bidding on the game; WBBZ-TV, which most recently simulcast cable games before WKBW's contract, has not made its intentions clear (the consensus is that the station, whose sports director left the station in 2015, is no longer willing to pay the rights fee for sports broadcasts such as the NFL), nor has WIVB-TV, which does not publicly state its future programming intentions under corporate policy.[25]

Game summaries

Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens

Week One: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 303
Ravens 14 12 14747

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Played in heavy rain, the lopsided game saw a dominant performance from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who completed 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns against the Bills defense before handing the reigns off to Lamar Jackson. Buffalo was unable to keep pace on offense, finishing without a first down until the third quarter. Nathan Peterman completed just 5 of 18 attempts for 24 yards and two interceptions, good for a 0.0 passer rating, before being benched for Josh Allen in the third quarter.

With a final score of 47-3 in favor of Baltimore, Buffalo suffered its worst season-opening loss in franchise history and opens the 2018 season at 0-1.[26]

Week 2: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week Two: Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 14 14 0331
Bills 0 6 7720

at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Josh Allen made his first career start in place of Nathan Peterman.[27] This was also Vontae Davis' last game in the NFL as he abruptly retired during halftime after 10 seasons. Veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander called Davis' decision "disrespectful" and that he "never seen it, ever".[28] LeSean McCoy left the game after suffering a strained rib muscle early in the second half.[27]

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Three: Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 17 10 0027
Vikings 0 0 066

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

In Josh Allen's second NFL start, he went 15 for 22 for 196 yards and a touchdown, earning him a 111.2 passer rating. He also added 39 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The defense also sacked Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins 4 times and intercepted him once. The Bills won this game despite being 16.5-point betting underdogs.[29]

Week 4: at Green Bay Packers

Week Four: Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 000
Packers 6 10 3322

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Despite holding Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense to just 22 points, forcing two turnovers in the process, the Bills were unable to garner any points. With the team's first shutout loss since 2008, Buffalo falls to 1—3.[30]

Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Five: Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 3 3 0612
Bills 7 0 3313

at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

With LeSean McCoy back to full health, the Bills maintained a run-heavy offensive game plan. Josh Allen scored his third rushing touchdown of the year and the Bills held Marcus Mariota and the Titans offense in check in a defensive battle. The Bills maintained the lead throughout the game until the fourth quarter, but sealed the win with a 46-yard Steven Hauschka field goal as time expired. The Bills improve to 2—3 on the season.[31]

Week 6: at Houston Texans

Week Six: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 000
Texans 0 0 000

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Standings

Division

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
New England Patriots 4 2 0 .667 1–0 4–1 176 148 W3
Miami Dolphins 4 2 0 .667 1–1 3–2 128 145 W1
New York Jets 3 3 0 .500 0–1 2–3 165 139 W2
Buffalo Bills 2 4 0 .333 0–0 1–3 76 138 L1

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Kansas City Chiefs West 5 1 0 .833 2–0 4–1 .500 .466 L1
2[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 4 2 0 .667 1–0 4–1 .514 .542 W3
3[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] Cincinnati Bengals North 4 2 0 .667 1–1 3–1 .500 .458 L1
4[lower-alpha 3] Tennessee Titans South 3 3 0 .500 2–0 2–3 .528 .500 L2
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 4] Los Angeles Chargers West 4 2 0 .667 1–1 3–1 .500 .283 W3
6[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 4] Baltimore Ravens North 4 2 0 .667 1–2 4–2 .472 .438 W1
In the hunt
7[lower-alpha 4] Miami Dolphins East 4 2 0 .667 1–1 3–2 .514 .435 W1
8 Pittsburgh Steelers North 3 2 1 .583 1–1–1 1–2–1 .557 .471 W2
9[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 5] Houston Texans South 3 3 0 .500 1–1 2–2 .389 .333 W3
10[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 6] Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 3 0 .500 0–1 2–2 .528 .444 L2
11[lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6] New York Jets East 3 3 0 .500 0–1 2–3 .414 .294 W2
12 Cleveland Browns North 2 3 1 .417 1–0–1 2–2–1 .557 .583 L1
13[lower-alpha 7] Buffalo Bills East 2 4 0 .333 0–0 1–3 .571 .542 L1
14[lower-alpha 7] Denver Broncos West 2 4 0 .333 1–1 1–3 .611 .333 L4
15[lower-alpha 8] Oakland Raiders West 1 5 0 .167 0–2 1–3 .597 .417 L2
16[lower-alpha 8] Indianapolis Colts South 1 5 0 .167 0–1 0–4 .571 .600 L3
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 9]
  1. 1 2 New England wins tie break over Cincinnati based on best win percentage in conference games.
  2. 1 2 Cincinnati wins tie break over Baltimore based on head-to-head win percentage.
  3. 1 2 3 Tennessee wins tie break over Jacksonville and Houston based on head-to-head win percentage.
  4. 1 2 3 LA Chargers, Baltimore, and Miami are ranked based on best win percentage in conference games.
  5. 1 2 Houston wins tie break over NY Jets based on best win percentage in conference games. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Jacksonville (see below).
  6. 1 2 Jacksonville wins tie break over NY Jets based on head-to-head win percentage.
  7. 1 2 Buffalo wins tie break over Denver based on best win percentage in common games.
  8. 1 2 Oakland wins tie break over Indianapolis based on best win percentage in conference games.
  9. ↑ 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.
Legend
w — Clinched wild card
x — Clinched playoff berth
y — Clinched division
z — Clinched first-round bye
* — Clinched home-field advantage

References

  1. ↑ "Pegula Sports & Entertainment on Twitter".
  2. ↑ "Russ Brandon resigns from Bills, Sabres after internal investigation". 1 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Rodak, Mike. "Russ Brandon, president of Bills and Sabres, resigns". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "Vontae Davis agrees to terms on 1-year deal with Bills".
  5. ↑ "Bills agree to terms with RB Chris Ivory".
  6. ↑ "Bills sign free agent DE Owa Odighizuwa".
  7. ↑ jerickson@theadvocate.com, JOEL A. ERICKSON. "Former Saints safety Rafael Bush signs with Bills".
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Bills confirm two trades, and sign five defensive players and QB A.J. McCarron".
  9. ↑ "Russell Bodine Buffalo Bills contract details show he's essentially a roster lock".
  10. ↑ "Bills' Marshall Newhouse: Signs with Buffalo".
  11. 1 2 "Bills sign Kerley and Palepoi".
  12. ↑ "Seantrel Henderson: Inks deal with Texans".
  13. ↑ Spotrac.com. "Preston Brown". Spotrac.com.
  14. ↑ "Cowboys sign WR Thompson to 1-year deal".
  15. ↑ "Browns pad secondary with signing of Gaines".
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ Brown, Chris (2018-04-26). "Bills trade up with Bucs to land QB Josh Allen". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  18. ↑ Barber, Kyle (2018-04-26). "2018 NFL Draft: Baltimore Ravens trade down with Buffalo Bills". Baltimore Beatdown. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  19. 1 2 Brown, Chris (14 March 2018). "Trades land Bills bevy of draft assets". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  20. ↑ Overthecap.com. "Tyrod Taylor Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money - Over The Cap".
  21. ↑ "Buffalo Bills trading Cordy Glenn to Cincinnati Bengals".
  22. ↑ Knoblauch, Austin (August 6, 2018). "Browns trade Corey Coleman to Bills for draft pick". NFL.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  23. ↑ Teope, Herbie (September 1, 2018). "Oakland Raiders acquire AJ McCarron in trade with Bills". NFL.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  24. ↑ Brown, Chris (2018-04-11). "Bills 2018 preseason opens at home". BuffaloBills.com. Buffalo Bills. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  25. ↑ "Ch. 7 is favorite to simulcast Bills game with Pats on 'Monday Night Football'". 24 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "Ravens get defensive in 47-3 rout of inept Bills". Associated Press. ESPN. September 9, 2018.
  27. 1 2 Rodak, Mike (September 16, 2018). "Josh Allen can't save Bills in loss to Chargers". ESPN. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  28. ↑ Joseph, Andrew (September 16, 2018). "Vontae Davis' mid-game retirement had Bills linebacker stunned". FTW. USA Today. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  29. ↑ Talbot, Ryan (September 23, 2018). "Buffalo Bills pull off third biggest upset in NFL history vs. Minnesota Vikings". NewYorkUpstate.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  30. ↑ Packers put together complete effort in 22-0 win over Bills
  31. ↑ "Bills beat Titans 13-12 on Hauschka's 46-yard field goal". Associated Press. ESPN. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
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