2011 Buffalo Bills season
Encyclopedia
The 2011
Buffalo Bills
season is the team's 42nd season in the National Football League
and the 52nd overall. The Bills hope to improve on their record from the 2010
season, and attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999
, the longest standing playoff drought in the NFL, which is tied with the Detroit Lions
. Buffalo plays in the Eastern
division of the American Football Conference
(AFC).
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 18 or more points; they overcame a 21-3 deficit to Oakland
in Week Two, and a 21-0 deficit to New England
in Week Three.
Incidentally, Buffalo's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals
the following week was the Bills' first loss to Cincinnati since the 1988 AFC Championship game.
The Bills started the season with a promising 5-2 record. However, the Bills' season was plagued by injuries to key starters, including linebacker Shawne Merriman
, center Eric Wood
, cornerback Terrence McGee
, star nose tackle Kyle Williams
, and star running back Fred Jackson, all of whom went on injured reserve
to end their respective seasons. The Bills also lost two wide receivers, Marcus Easley
and Roscoe Parrish
, to IR. The Bills, after starting the season 5-2, have lost all four of the subsequent games to the New York Jets (twice), Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.
. 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. It was also announced that an official unveiling of the new uniforms would be at a fan appreciation event later in the summer. The date of the new uniform unveiling was June 24, 2011. The team also announced that the U.S. military will be involved in the unveiling. 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.
Due to the labor lockout
that ran from March 11, 2011 through July 25, 2011, the actual Bills players were not being allowed to attend. Instead, models from the New York National Guard, along with former Bills Jim Kelly
and Thurman Thomas, modeled the new uniforms. This is the first full redesign of the team’s uniforms since the 2002 NFL season
.
The Bills wore their white jerseys at home against the New York Jets
in Week Nine, which the team hadn't done since 1986
vs. Indianapolis
. The "White Out" did not prove successful, however, as the Bills lost to the Jets 27-11.
LEGEND:
. 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.
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
season is the team's 42nd season in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the 52nd overall. The Bills hope to improve on their record from the 2010
2010 Buffalo Bills season
The 2010 Buffalo Bills season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League, and their 51st overall. It was Buffalo's first season with Buddy Nix in the role of general manager and head coach Chan Gailey....
season, and attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999
1999 Buffalo Bills season
The 1999 Buffalo Bills season was the 40th season for the team in the National Football League. It would be the final season that long time Bills members Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas were on the same team together. All three were released at the end of the season due to salary cap...
, the longest standing playoff drought in the NFL, which is tied with the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. Buffalo plays in the Eastern
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
division of the American Football Conference
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
(AFC).
In week 3 of the season, the Bills broke a 15-game losing streak that the team had accrued against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
that dated to opening day of the 2003 season
2003 Buffalo Bills season
The 2003 Buffalo Bills season was their 44th in the league. The team failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 8–8, instead finishing 6–10...
; 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 18 or more points; they overcame a 21-3 deficit to Oakland
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Week Two, and a 21-0 deficit to New England
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
in Week Three.
Incidentally, Buffalo's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
the following week was the Bills' first loss to Cincinnati since the 1988 AFC Championship game.
The Bills started the season with a promising 5-2 record. However, the Bills' season was plagued by injuries to key starters, including linebacker Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman
Shawne DeAndre Merriman is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. On November 2, 2010, the Chargers waived Merriman...
, center Eric Wood
Eric Wood
-Buffalo Bills:Wood was selected with the 28th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Counted on to start at right guard, Wood joined a completely retooled offensive line that was expected to feature two rookie starters—him, and second round pick Andy Levitre at left guard—and no players...
, cornerback Terrence McGee
Terrence McGee
Terrence Dewayne McGee is an American football cornerback and kick returner who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by Bills in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, star nose tackle Kyle Williams
Kyle Williams (defensive tackle)
Kyle Derrick Williams is an American football nose tackle who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Louisiana State.-High school:Williams attended Ruston...
, and star running back Fred Jackson, all of whom went on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
to end their respective seasons. The Bills also lost two wide receivers, Marcus Easley
Marcus Easley
Marcus Landon Easley is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 107th selection.-College career:...
and Roscoe Parrish
Roscoe Parrish
Roscoe Parrish is an American football wide receiver and punt returner who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, to IR. The Bills, after starting the season 5-2, have lost all four of the subsequent games to the New York Jets (twice), Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.
Uniform change
On February 9, 2011, the Bills announced that the team planned to introduce redesigned uniforms for the 2011 NFL season2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
. 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
Madden NFL 12
Madden NFL 12 is an American football video game based on the National Football League published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. It was released on August 30, 2011 in North America and September 2, 2011 in Europe...
trailer, and said to be confirmed by the league, indicated the team would be adopting the uniforms the team wore between 1975 and 1983. It was also announced that an official unveiling of the new uniforms would be at a fan appreciation event later in the summer. The date of the new uniform unveiling was June 24, 2011. The team also announced that the U.S. military will be involved in the unveiling. After the unveiling, there was a movie screening The Blind Side
The Blind Side (film)
The Blind Side is a 2009 American semi-biographical drama film. It is written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The storyline features Michael Oher, an offensive lineman who plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL...
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
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page.
Due to the labor lockout
2011 NFL lockout
The 2011 National Football League lockout was a lockout that lasted from March 11 to July 25. It occurred primarily during the offseason for 18 weeks and 4 days...
that ran from March 11, 2011 through July 25, 2011, the actual Bills players were not being allowed to attend. Instead, models from the New York National Guard, along with former Bills Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly
James Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
and Thurman Thomas, modeled the new uniforms. This is the first full redesign of the team’s uniforms since the 2002 NFL season
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
.
The Bills wore their white jerseys at home against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Week Nine, which the team hadn't done since 1986
1986 Buffalo Bills season
The 1986 Buffalo Bills season was the 27th season for the club and its 17th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Week 1: vs. New York Jets:-Standings:-References:* * *...
vs. Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. The "White Out" did not prove successful, however, as the Bills lost to the Jets 27-11.
2011 draft board
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Marcell Dareus Marcell Dareus -Buffalo Bills:Dareus was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills on April 28, 2011. On April 29, the day after the first round, the Bills announced that Dareus would wear jersey number 99. On July, 29, 2011, Dareus signed a 4 year deal with the Bills worth... |
DT | Alabama University of Alabama The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States.... |
| 2 | 34 | Aaron Williams Aaron Williams (American football) Aaron Williams is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 2nd round, 34th overall, of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.... |
CB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Texas University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin... |
| 3 | 68 | Kelvin Sheppard Kelvin Sheppard Kelvin Anthony Sheppard is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills drafted him with the 68th pick in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.... |
ILB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
LSU Louisiana State University Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name... |
| 4 | 100 | Da'Norris Searcy Da'Norris Searcy Da'Norris Searcy is an American football safety for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Bills in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He signed a 4 year contract with the Buffalo Bills on July 29, 2011. He played college football for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.-References:... |
DB Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
UNC University of North Carolina Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century... |
| 4 | 122 | Chris Hairston Chris Hairston Chris Hairston is an American football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Bills in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Clemson University Tigers.-References:... |
OL | Clemson Clemson University Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States.... |
| 5 | 133 | Johnny White Johnny White (American football) Johnny White is an American football running back for the Buffalo Bills. White played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Johnny White was converted to running back for the Tar Heels 2010 season... |
RB Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
UNC University of North Carolina Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century... |
| 6 | 169 | Chris White Chris White (linebacker) Christopher Andrew "Chris" White is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. White attended Vancleave High School. He played college football at Mississippi State.-External links:**... |
LB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Mississippi St. Mississippi State University The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area... |
| 7 | 206 | Justin Rogers Justin Rogers (cornerback) Justin Rogers is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills. Taken in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Rogers played college football for the Richmond Spiders.-References:... |
DB Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
Richmond University of Richmond The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate... |
| 7 | 245 | Michael Jasper Michael Jasper Michael Jasper is an American football nose tackle/offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Bethel , playing two ways both as a defensive tackle and an offensive guard... |
DT | Bethel(TN) |
- The Bills acquired this fourth-round selection and a 20122012 NFL DraftThe 2012 NFL Draft will be the 77th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players.-Trades:...
conditional draft selection in an October 2010 trade that sent RBRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Marshawn LynchMarshawn LynchMarshawn Terrell Lynch is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Lynch became the Bills' first 1,000-yard rookie rusher since Greg Bell in 1984...
to the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. - Compensatory selection.
Schedule
The Bills' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.| Week | | Date | | Kickoff (EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... ) | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | August 13 | 8:00 p.m. | at Chicago Bears 2011 Chicago Bears season The 2011 Chicago Bears season is the franchise's 92nd overall season in the National Football League, and the 8th under head coach Lovie Smith. The Bears, defending NFC North Division champions, will seek a return to the playoffs after falling in the NFC Championship Game to their arch-rivals the... |
L 3–10 | 0–1 | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
WKBW-TV WKBW-TV WKBW-TV, channel 7, is the ABC affiliate for the Buffalo, New York television market, and is one of many local Buffalo TV stations seen over-the-air and on cable in Canada. Its transmitter is located at 8909 Center Street in Colden. The station is owned by the Granite Broadcasting Corporation, who... |
Recap |
| 2 | August 20 | 8:30 p.m. | at Denver Broncos 2011 Denver Broncos season The Denver Broncos season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. It also marks the first season under new head coach John Fox, as well as the first with John Elway as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations... |
L 10–24 | 0–2 | Sports Authority Field at Mile High | WKBW-TV | Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | 7:00 p.m. | Jacksonville Jaguars 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars season is the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League and the 9th under head coach Jack Del Rio, who was fired on November 29 and replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. The team had hoped to improve on their 8–8 record from... |
W 35–32 (OT) | 1–2 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
WKBW-TV | Recap |
| 4 | September 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Detroit Lions 2011 Detroit Lions season The 2011 Detroit Lions season is the franchise's 82nd season in the National Football League, the 10th playing its home games at Ford Field and the third year under head coach Jim Schwartz. Currently 7–4, the team has improved on its 6–10 record from 2010, which is its third consecutive improved... |
L 6–16 | 1–3 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | WKBW-TV | Recap |
Schedule
| Week | | Date | | Kickoff (ET North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... ) | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | September 11 | 1:00 p.m. | at Kansas City Chiefs 2011 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2011 Kansas City Chiefs season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League, the 52nd overall and the third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. The Chiefs are coming off a 10–6 record in 2010, in which the team won its first AFC West... |
W 41–7 | 1–0 | Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 2 | September 18 | 1:00 p.m. | Oakland Raiders 2011 Oakland Raiders season The 2011 Oakland Raiders season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. 2011 also marks the final season under the ownership of Al Davis, who died on October 8, 2011... |
W 38–35 | 2–0 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
CBS | Recap |
| 3 | September 25 | 1:00 p.m. | New England Patriots 2011 New England Patriots season The 2011 New England Patriots season is the 42nd season for the team in the National Football League and 52nd season overall.The Patriots dedicated their 2011 season to the memory of Myra Kraft, the wife of owner Robert Kraft, who died on July 20, 2011 after a long fight against cancer... |
W 34–31 | 3–0 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 4 | October 2 | 1:00 p.m. | at Cincinnati Bengals 2011 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2011 Cincinnati Bengals season will be the team's 44th season as a professional sports franchise and its 42nd season as a member of the National Football League . The team has improved on its 2010 season, where it finished with a record of 4–12 and placed fourth in the AFC North. This marks... |
L 20–23 | 3–1 | Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and... |
CBS | Recap |
| 5 | October 9 | 1:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Eagles 2011 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2011 Philadelphia Eagles season will be the 79th season for the team in the National Football League . The Eagles will play all of their home games at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Personnel changes:... |
W 31–24 | 4–1 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 6 | October 16 | 1:00 p.m. | at New York Giants 2011 New York Giants season The 2011 New York Giants season is the 87th season for the team in the National Football League. The Giants finished with a 10–6 record in 2010 however they missed the playoffs... |
L 24–27 | 4–2 | MetLife Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 7 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
|||||||
| 8 | October 30 | 4:05 p.m. ^ | Washington Redskins 2011 Washington Redskins season The 2011 Washington Redskins season will be the 79th season for the team in the National Football League and their 74th representing the District of Columbia . Their home games will be played at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland for the 15th consecutive year. Washington will play in the Eastern... |
W 23–0 | 5–2 | Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... (Toronto) |
Fox | Recap |
| 9 | November 6 | 1:00 p.m. | New York Jets 2011 New York Jets season The 2011 New York Jets season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League , the 52nd season overall and the team's second season at MetLife Stadium... |
L 11–27 | 5–3 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 10 | November 13 | 1:00 p.m. | at Dallas Cowboys 2011 Dallas Cowboys season The 2011 Dallas Cowboys season will be the Cowboys' 52nd season in the NFL, the third season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium and the first full season under head coach Jason Garrett, who served as the interim head coach for the team's final eight games in 2010... |
L 7–44 | 5–4 | Cowboys Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 11 | November 20 | 1:00 p.m. | at Miami Dolphins 2011 Miami Dolphins season The 2011 Miami Dolphins season will be the team's 42nd season in the National Football League, the 46th overall and the fourth under head coach Tony Sparano... |
L 8–35 | 5–5 | Sun Life Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 12 | November 27 | 1:00 p.m. | at New York Jets | L 24–28 | 5–6 | MetLife Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 13 | December 4 | 1:00 p.m. | Tennessee Titans 2011 Tennessee Titans season The 2011 Tennessee Titans season will be the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League , the 52nd overall and the 15th in the state of Tennessee. It will also mark the first season under new head coach Mike Munchak, replacing longtime head coach Jeff Fisher, who resigned on January 27... |
Ralph Wilson Stadium | CBS | |||
| 14 | December 11 | 4:15 p.m. | at San Diego Chargers 2011 San Diego Chargers season The 2011 San Diego Chargers season will be the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. The team hopes to improve on its 9–7 record from 2010, in which the team missed the playoffs. For Norv Turner, this will be his fifth season as the head coach of the... |
Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... |
CBS | |||
| 15 | December 18 | 1:00 p.m. * | Miami Dolphins | Ralph Wilson Stadium | CBS | |||
| 16 | December 24 | 1:00 p.m. | Denver Broncos 2011 Denver Broncos season The Denver Broncos season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. It also marks the first season under new head coach John Fox, as well as the first with John Elway as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations... |
Ralph Wilson Stadium | CBS | |||
| 17 | January 1 | 1:00 p.m. * | at New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
CBS | |||
LEGEND:
- Royal blue indicates the Bills Toronto SeriesBills Toronto SeriesThe Bills Toronto Series is a five-year deal consisting of a series of National Football League games featuring the Buffalo Bills played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The series began in the 2008 NFL season and will end during the 2012 NFL season...
. - Yellow indicates that the game time is subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 3: vs. New England Patriots
Week 4: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 5: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 6: at New York Giants
Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins
Bills Toronto SeriesBills Toronto Series
The Bills Toronto Series is a five-year deal consisting of a series of National Football League games featuring the Buffalo Bills played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The series began in the 2008 NFL season and will end during the 2012 NFL season...
Week 9: vs. New York Jets
Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins
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 DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Buffalo delivered the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Dave Rayner
Dave Rayner
David Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, but the Dolphins answered with quarterback Matt Moore
Matt Moore (American football)
Matthew Erickson Moore is an American Football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He played college football at UCLA and Oregon State...
completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
, followed by running back Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
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
Charles Clay
Charles Clay was an English surgeon, called the "Father of Ovariotomy".He was born in Bredbury, near Stockport, Cheshire, and died in Poulton-le-Fylde, near Blackpool, Lancashire....
and a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. 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
Lex Hilliard
Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season....
recovering a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown. The Bills tried to rally in the fourth quarter as rookie linebacker Kelvin Sheppard
Kelvin Sheppard
Kelvin Anthony Sheppard is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills drafted him with the 68th pick in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU....
tackled running back Daniel Thomas
Daniel Thomas (American football)
Daniel Thomas is a running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats football team.-High school:...
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: at New York Jets
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 14: at San Diego Chargers
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 17: at New England Patriots
- Gametime subject to change due to flexible scheduling.