History of Bills–Patriots rivalry in Timeline

The Bills-Patriots rivalry in the NFL has seen significant shifts in dominance. For years, the Patriots, led by Tom Brady, held sway, consistently defeating the Bills and winning AFC East titles. This era saw the Bills struggle to compete. However, with Brady's departure and the rise of Josh Allen as the Bills' quarterback, the balance of power has begun to shift. Buffalo has experienced resurgence, challenging the Patriots for divisional supremacy. The rivalry is characterized by passionate fan bases and intense matchups, fueled by the Patriots' historical dominance and the Bills' recent attempts to dethrone them. The dynamic and competitiveness have made it a prominent NFL rivalry.

July 30, 1960: First preseason game

On July 30, 1960, the Bills and Patriots played for the first time in a preseason game during the inaugural season of the American Football League. The Patriots won the game 28–7.

September 23, 1960: First regular season game

On September 23, 1960, the Bills and Patriots met for their first regular season game during Week 3 of the inaugural season of the American Football League. The Bills shut out the Patriots 13–0.

1960: Series debut

In 1960, the Bills–Patriots rivalry began as both teams were charter members of the American Football League (AFL). The teams played two games against each other annually as members of the East division of the American Football Conference (AFC).

1962: Lou Saban takes over the Bills

In 1962, Lou Saban took over the Bills and later won two American Football League titles.

December 1963: Patriots win first playoff match

In December 1963, the Patriots won their first playoff match against the Bills in the AFL divisional game, with a score of 26–8. Gino Cappelletti contributed with four field goals.

1963: Patriots lose AFL championship game

In 1963, the Patriots lost to the San Diego Chargers in their only AFL championship appearance.

1963: Boston Patriots Win AFL Playoff Game

In December of 1963, the Boston Patriots secured a 26-8 victory over the Bills during an AFL divisional playoff game, marking their first playoff encounter. Gino Cappelletti contributed significantly with four field goals.

1964: Bills win AFL championship

In 1964, the Buffalo Bills won the AFL championship game.

1965: Bills win AFL championship

In 1965, the Buffalo Bills won the AFL championship game.

1966: Bills win AFL division

In 1966, the Buffalo Bills won the AFL division.

1968: Patriots sweep Bills

In 1968, the Patriots swept the Bills for the first time since 1968.

1970: Franchises Join NFL

In 1970, after the AFL-NFL merger, it marked the point at which the Bills and Patriots franchises officially joined the National Football League (NFL).

1971: Willie Ellison's Rushing Record

In 1971, Willie Ellison of the Rams set the all-time professional football single-game rushing record. On September 16, 1973, O. J. Simpson broke this record.

1971: Bills begin winning streak

In 1971, the Bills began a winning streak of 9 games against the Patriots, lasting until 1975.

September 16, 1973: O. J. Simpson sets single-game rushing record

On September 16, 1973, in a game against the Patriots, O. J. Simpson of the Bills broke the all-time professional football single-game rushing record with 250 yards. He also became the all-time leading rusher for the Bills franchise.

1974: Bills and Patriots play two competitive games

In the 1974 season, the Bills withstood a late Patriots rally at Rich Stadium to win, 30–28. Two weeks later, the Bills edged the Patriots, 29–28, when a last-second field goal attempt by the Patriots was blocked.

November 23, 1975: O. J. Simpson scores four touchdowns

On November 23, 1975, O. J. Simpson scored four touchdowns in a game against the Patriots, including two passes from Joe Ferguson, as the Bills won 45–31. Patriots rookie Steve Grogan threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted three times.

1975: Bills winning streak ends

In 1975, the Bills winning streak of 9 games against the Patriots, which started in 1971, ended.

1976: Simpson's final year in Buffalo

In 1976, Simpson's final year in Buffalo, he rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a 26–22 Patriots win on October 24. On November 7, Simpson was ejected following a scuffle; Mike Haynes ran back a punt for a touchdown. The Patriots completed their first season sweep of the Bills since 1968.

1978: Hank Bullough co-coaches the Patriots

At the end of 1978, Hank Bullough was co-head coach for the Patriots.

January 1983: Patriots start 11-game winning streak

From January 1983 to September 1988, the Patriots completed an 11-game winning streak over the Bills.

September 1988: Patriots winning streak ends

In September 1988, the Patriots' 11-game winning streak over the Bills, which started in January 1983, ended.

1988: Bills win AFC East

From 1988 to 1992, the Bills bested the Patriots to win the AFC East division four years in a row.

1988: Doug Flutie with Patriots

In 1988, Doug Flutie played as quarterback for the Patriots.

1988: AFC East dominance begins

Since 1988, either the Patriots or Bills have won the AFC East division in 28 out of 35 seasons, highlighting their dominance in the division.

1990: Bills reach Super Bowl

In 1990, the Bills reached the Super Bowl. Throughout the decade, the two teams combined to win the AFC East six times, with the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 1996 and the Bills reaching the Super Bowl in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

1991: Bills reach Super Bowl

In 1991, the Bills reached the Super Bowl. Throughout the decade, the two teams combined to win the AFC East six times, with the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 1996 and the Bills reaching the Super Bowl in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

1992: Bills win AFC East

From 1988 to 1992, the Bills bested the Patriots to win the AFC East division four years in a row.

1992: Bills reach Super Bowl

In 1992, the Bills reached the Super Bowl. Throughout the decade, the two teams combined to win the AFC East six times, with the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 1996 and the Bills reaching the Super Bowl in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

1993: Bills reach Super Bowl

In 1993, the Bills reached the Super Bowl. Throughout the decade, the two teams combined to win the AFC East six times, with the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 1996 and the Bills reaching the Super Bowl in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

September 11, 1994: Bills defeat Patriots

On September 11, 1994, the Bills led 28–14 at the half and 35–21 at the start of the fourth quarter after Mike Lodish grabbed a Patriots fumble at the New England goalline. The Patriots scored two touchdowns to tie the game, but Buffalo won 38–35 after Steve Christie kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired.

1996: Jim Kelly's last season

In 1996, Jim Kelly's last season, his Bills won 17–10 on September 8 on a 63-yard touchdown throw to Quinn Early and then on a last-second goal line stand. On October 27, the Bills had an 18–15 lead at the two-minute warning; Curtis Martin ran in a ten-yard score, then Willie McGinest intercepted Kelly and ran in a 46-yard touchdown, but Kelly then completed a 48-yard touchdown off two Patriots defenders to Andre Reed; the onside kick failed and the Patriots won 28–25.

1996: Patriots reach Super Bowl

In 1996, the Patriots reached the Super Bowl. Throughout the decade, the two teams combined to win the AFC East six times, with the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 1996 and the Bills reaching the Super Bowl in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

1998: Doug Flutie returns to Buffalo

In 1998, Doug Flutie returned, replacing Rob Johnson as Bills quarterback after Buffalo started 1–3. Flutie led the Bills to win four of his first five starts, including a 13–10 victory over the Patriots at Rich Stadium on November 15. However, on November 29 in Flutie's return to Foxboro Stadium, the Patriots rallied to a controversial last-second touchdown to Ben Coates and a 25–21 Patriots win that was aided by a pass interference penalty against the Bills as time expired.

November 5, 2000: Flutie leads Bills to victory over Patriots

On November 5, 2000, Doug Flutie and the Bills defeated the Patriots and new head coach Bill Belichick at Foxboro Stadium 16–13 in overtime. After this, the Patriots won 18 of the next 19 games against the Bills.

2000: Doug Flutie Released by Bills

In 2000, Doug Flutie was released by the Bills.

2001: Patriots Win Championship

In 2001, the New England Patriots win championship year.

2001: Brady's wins at Highmark Stadium

Until January 2021, Tom Brady had won more games at Highmark Stadium than any quarterback for Buffalo since 2001.

2002: Drew Bledsoe Traded to Buffalo

In 2002, following New England's 2001 championship year, Drew Bledsoe was traded by New England to Buffalo.

2003: Lawyer Milloy Signed by Buffalo

In 2003, Lawyer Milloy was cut after the 2003 preseason and was immediately signed by Buffalo.

2003: Patriots and Bills exchange shutout victories

In 2003, the Patriots assembled a five-game winning streak over the Bills, which was snapped when Buffalo defeated the Patriots 31–0. However, the Patriots then defeated the Bills by the same score later in the season.

2005: Doug Flutie Joins Patriots

In 2005, Doug Flutie, released by the Bills after 2000, joined the Patriots by way of the San Diego Chargers.

2006: Bills surrender safety in loss

In 2006, the Bills surrendered a safety in the fourth quarter to lose to the Patriots 19–17.

December 28, 2008: Patriots defeat Bills amid severe weather

On December 28, 2008, the 10–5 Patriots needed a win to win the AFC East. The 7–8 Bills were wrapping up their ninth straight season without a playoff berth. Played with severe wind gusts that required stadium officials to use ropes to keep the goalposts from swaying, the game was a 13–0 Patriots win. Matt Cassel threw only eight passes. The Patriots fell short of the division title.

2009: Bills fumble kickoff return, lose game

In 2009, the Bills fumbled a kickoff return, which set up New England's game-winning touchdown.

September 26, 2010: Patriots win franchise's 400th game

On September 26, 2010, the Patriots won 38–30 against the Bills, marking the 400th win in the history of the Patriots franchise. It was first start of the season for Buffalo's former backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Randy Moss caught two touchdowns; they turned out to be his last with the Patriots.

2010: Patriots complete 15-game winning streak

In 2010, the Patriots completed a 15-game winning streak against the Bills, which began in 2003.

September 25, 2011: Bills snap Patriots' winning streak

On September 25, 2011, the Bills came back from a 21–0 deficit to defeat the Patriots 34–31 and snap the Patriots' 15-game winning streak.

January 1, 2012: Patriots erase deficit to win

On January 1, 2012, the Patriots erased a 21–0 Bills lead to win 49–21.

September 30, 2012: Patriots Outscore Bills

On September 30, 2012, the Patriots erased a 21–7 Bills lead in the third quarter by outscoring them, 45–7 on six straight touchdowns, winning 52–28.

November 11, 2012: McCourty intercepts Fitzpatrick

On November 11, 2012, the Bills were driving while down, 37–31, until Devin McCourty intercepted a Fitzpatrick pass in the endzone.

October 12, 2014: Patriots defeat Bills in Pegula's debut

On October 12, 2014, in Terry Pegula's first game as Bills owner, the Patriots defeated the Bills 37–22. Tom Brady threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns.

2014: Pepper Johnson Joins Bills Coaching Staff

In 2014, Pepper Johnson joined the Bills coaching staff after spending fourteen seasons with the Patriots.

2014: Family Guy Parodies Bills-Patriots Rivalry

In 2014, the Family Guy episode "3 Acts of God" parodied the Bills–Patriots rivalry, featuring guest stars Mario Williams and C. J. Spiller. The episode reverses the teams' levels of success.

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2016: Bills Shutout Patriots

In 2016, the Bills shutout the Patriots 16-0, marking New England's first home shutout loss since 1993. Third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett started for the Patriots due to injuries and suspension.

December 3, 2017: Gronkowski Elbows White

On December 3, 2017, during a game with playoff implications, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski elbowed Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White after White intercepted Tom Brady. The Patriots won 23-3.

January 14, 2018: Brian Daboll Hired as Bills Offensive Coordinator

On January 14, 2018, Brian Daboll was hired as the Bills' offensive coordinator, previously serving as the Patriots' tight-end coach.

September 2019: Patriots Win Defensive Struggle

In September 2019, the Patriots defeated the Bills 16-10 in a defensive game at New Era Field, holding both Tom Brady and Josh Allen to under 153 passing yards. Allen left the game in the fourth quarter due to injury.

November 1, 2020: Bills win over Patriots

On November 1, 2020, the Bills secured their first victory over the Patriots since 2016 with a 24–21 win after Cam Newton's late fumble, ending the Patriots' 7-game winning streak in the series.

January 2021: Josh Allen surpasses Tom Brady

In January 2021, Josh Allen surpassed Tom Brady's record for most games won at Highmark Stadium by a quarterback for Buffalo since 2001, ending Brady's long-standing dominance over the Bills.

2021: Bills achieve "Perfect Offensive Game" in playoff win

In 2021, the Bills defeated the Patriots 47–17 in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs, marking the first "Perfect Offensive Game" in NFL history, with touchdowns on every drive. This was Patriots' second-worst loss of the 21st century.

2021: Bills dominate Patriots in NFL Playoff game

In 2021, the Bills dominated the Patriots, 47–17, in a wild card matchup of the 2021–22 NFL playoffs. This was the first "perfect offensive game" by any team in NFL history. In 2020s, Buffalo is 8-3 against New England.

January 2022: Bills Dominate Patriots in Playoffs

In January 2022, the Bills achieved a historic playoff domination of the Patriots.

2022: Bills achieve "The Perfect Offensive Game" against the Patriots.

In 2022, the Bills achieved "The Perfect Offensive Game" against the Patriots in the wild card round of the playoffs, resulting in a 47–17 loss for New England.

2022: Bills and Patriots split season series

In 2022, the Patriots upset the Bills in Foxboro, ending up with a 29-25 win. However, the Bills won the rematch 27-21 in Buffalo, securing their fifth straight season with double-digit wins.

2022: Bills defeat Patriots, eliminating them from playoff contention.

In the 2022 season, the Bills defeated the Patriots 35-23, which eliminated the Patriots from playoff contention. Nyheim Hines returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, including on the opening kickoff after Damar Hamlin's hospitalization.