The 2016 season was the Buffalo Bills' 47th in the National Football League (NFL), their 57th overall, their fourth under general manager Doug Whaley and their second under head coach Rex Ryan. The Bills hoped to improve on their 8–8 record from 2015, the team's first since 2002, but a 34–31 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 eliminated the Bills from playoff contention for a 17th season in a row, extending the longest active drought among all four North American major professional sports leagues. It would be Ryan's final season as head coach of the team, as he and his brother, assistant head coach Rob, were fired with one game remaining in the regular season.[1] 
  Offseason
 Roster changes
 Signings
    | Position | Player | 2015 Team | Date signed | Notes | Source | 
  | RB | Mike Gillislee | Buffalo Bills | January 4, 2016 | 1-year extension/$600,000 | [2] | 
  | RB | James Wilder, Jr. | Cincinnati Bengals | January 20, 2016 | 1 year/$525,000 (Reserve/Future) | [3] | 
  | RB | Reggie Bush | San Francisco 49ers | August 1, 2016 | 1 year/$3 million | [4] | 
  | TE | Jim Dray | Cleveland Browns | March 16, 2016 | 1 year/$760,000 | [5] | 
  | WR | Greg Salas | Buffalo Bills | January 4, 2016 | 1-year extension/$600,000 | [2] | 
  | WR | Leonard Hankerson | Buffalo Bills | April 4, 2016 | 1 year/$840,000 | [6] | 
  | WR | Kain Colter | Minnesota Vikings | August 1, 2016 | 1 year/$450,000 | [7] | 
  | OG | Richie Incognito | Buffalo Bills | March 8, 2016 | 3-year extension/$15.75 million | [8] | 
  | OG | Fernando Velasco | Carolina Panthers | April 7, 2016 | 1 year/$965,000 | [9] | 
  | OT | Jordan Mills | Buffalo Bills | March 30, 2016 | 1 year tender/$1.67 million | [10] | 
  | OT | Chris Martin | Miami Dolphins | June 13, 2016 | 1 year/$525,000 | [11] | 
  | OT | Cordy Glenn | Buffalo Bills | May 3, 2016 | 5-year extension/$65 million | [12] | 
  | OT | Justin Renfrow | San Francisco 49ers | June 17, 2016 | 1 year/$450,000 | [13] | 
  | DT | Corbin Bryant | Buffalo Bills | March 7, 2016 | 1 year tender/$1.67 million | [14] | 
  | DT | Casey Walker | Dallas Cowboys | July 30, 2016 | 1 year/$525,000 | [15] | 
  | LB | Zach Brown | Tennessee Titans | April 4, 2016 | 1 year/$1.25 million | [16] | 
  | LB | Lorenzo Alexander | Oakland Raiders | April 13, 2016 | 1 year/$885,000 | [17] | 
  | CB | Mario Butler | Buffalo Bills | January 4, 2016 | 1-year extension/$600,000 | [2] | 
  | CB/KR | Javier Arenas | New York Jets | February 3, 2016 | 1 year/$600,000 (Reserve/Future) | [18] | 
  | CB | Corey White | Arizona Cardinals | April 4, 2016 | 1 year/$840,000 | [16] | 
  | CB | Sterling Moore | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | April 5, 2016 | 1 year/$840,000 | [19] | 
  | SS | Robert Blanton | Minnesota Vikings | March 18, 2016 | 1 year/$840,000 | [20] | 
  | SS | Colt Anderson | Indianapolis Colts | April 13, 2016 | 1 year/$840,000 | [17] | 
  | P | Colton Schmidt | Buffalo Bills | January 4, 2016 | 1-year extension/$600,000 | [2] | 
  | WR | Percy Harvin | Buffalo Bills | November 1, 2016 |  |  | 
 Free agents lost
  Cuts
    | Position | Player | Date | Source | 
  | RB | Boobie Dixon | March 1, 2016 | [24] | 
  | WR | Davonte Allen | August 1, 2016 | [25] | 
  | TE | MarQueis Gray | March 1, 2016 | [24] | 
  | TE | Jacob Maxwell | April 29, 2016 | [26] | 
  | T | Tyson Chandler | April 15, 2016 | [27] | 
  | T | Keith Lumpkin | June 13, 2016 | [11] | 
  | G | Kraig Urbik | March 1, 2016 | [24] | 
  | C | Ronald Patrick | May 2, 2016 | [28] | 
  | DE | Mario Williams | March 1, 2016 | [24] | 
  | DE | Cedric Reed | July 30, 2016 | [15] | 
  | DE | Claudell Louis | June 13, 2016 | [11] | 
  | DE | Jarius Wynn | May 2, 2016 | [28] | 
  | LB | Tony Steward | April 19, 2016 | [29] | 
  | CB | Leodis McKelvin | March 4, 2016 | [30] | 
  | CB | Cam Thomas | April 18, 2016 | [31] | 
  | CB | Julian Whigham | June 9, 2016 | [32] | 
  | CB | Merrill Noel | May 2, 2016 | [28] | 
  | S | Phillip Thomas | June 17, 2016 | [13] | 
  | K | Marshall Morgan | August 1, 2016 | [25] | 
 Retirements
  Draft
  Pre-Draft
 Prior to the draft, the Bills held visits for 47 players; 8 had previous visits, 23 players visited during the NFL Scouting Combine, 2 at the East–West Shrine Game, 19 had private visits, and 3 had private workouts.[33] 
Previously, the Bills traded their 2016 seventh-round selection (240th overall) and their 2015 fifth-round selection (137th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for quarterback Matt Cassel and the Vikings' 2015 sixth-round selection (188th overall). 
 Day-of Activity
  The Bills traded their 2016 second-round pick (49th overall) and fourth-round pick (117th overall) to the Chicago Bears in return for Chicago's 2016 second-round pick (41st overall). 
 Undrafted free agents
 All undrafted free agents were signed after the 2016 NFL draft concluded on April 30 unless otherwise noted. 
  Staff
 On January 10, 2016, one week after the 2015 season ended, Doug Whaley signed a three-year contract extension to remain the Bills general manager. That same day, it was announced that Ryan had hired his twin brother, Rob, to the Bills coaching staff to serve as an assistant head coach and work with the defense. Three days later, Ryan hired former NFL standout Ed Reed to be an assistant defensive backs coach. 
On January 20, 2016, the Bills promoted Kathryn Smith to special teams quality control coach, making her the first female full-time coach in NFL history. On September 16, 2016, less than 24 hours after losing 37–31 to the New York Jets in their home opener in a game in which the defense failed to stop Jets running back Matt Forte, instead of firing defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, Ryan pretty much sealed his own fate by firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman and promoting running backs coach Anthony Lynn to the position. 
Lynn would later be promoted to interim head coach on December 27, 2016, when the Ryan brothers were fired after the 34–31 overtime loss to the Dolphins eliminated the team from the playoffs.[34] 
 Staff
  2016 Buffalo Bills staff   |  | Front office  Owner/CEO – Terry PegulaOwner – Kim PegulaPresident – Russ BrandonGeneral manager – Doug WhaleySenior vice president of football administration – Jim OverdorfDirector of football administration – Don PurdyDirector of football operations – Kevin MeganckDirector of analytics – Michael LyonsDirector of player personnel – Jim MonosPlayer personnel advisor – Kelvin FisherDirector of pro personnel – Rob HanrahanSpecial assistant – Ron HughesSpecial assistant – Buddy Nix
 Head coaches  Offensive coaches  |  |  | Defensive coaches Special teams coaches  Strength and conditioning   Head strength and conditioning – Eric CianoAssistant head strength and conditioning – Hal LutherStrength and conditioning assistant – Jason OszvartStrength and conditioning assistant – Dan LiburdStrength and conditioning assistant – Mark Loecher
 | 
 Final roster
  Schedule
 Preseason
  Regular season
  Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. 
 Game summaries
 Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  BAL – Justin Tucker 50-yard field goal, 0:35. Ravens 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:47.
 Second quarter  Third quarter  Fourth quarter  BAL – Justin Tucker 37-yard field goal, 5:39. Ravens 13–7. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 5:59.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   Week 2: vs. New York Jets
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  NYJ – Nick Folk 28-yard field goal, 6:41. Jets 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 8:19.BUF – Marquise Goodwin 84-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 5:16. Bills 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 82 yards, 1:25.NYJ – Nick Folk 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:16.
 Second quarter  NYJ – Matt Forte 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 11:07. Jets 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:15.NYJ – Eric Decker 5-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Nick Folk kick), 3:53. Jets 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:54.BUF – Dan Carpenter 39-yard field goal, 0:05. Jets 20–10. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 3:48.
 Third quarter  BUF – Greg Salas 71-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 14:09. Jets 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:51.BUF – Nickell Robey-Coleman 36-yard fumble return (Dan Carpenter kick), 11:15. Bills 24–20.NYJ – Matt Forte 3-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 2:12. Jets 27–24. Drive: 12 plays, 84 yards, 6:27.
 Fourth quarter  NYJ – Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 10:40. Jets 30–24. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:12.NYJ – Matt Forte 12-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 4:02. Jets 37–24. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 3:01.BUF – Mike Gillislee 18-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:17. Jets 37–31. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 2:45.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   The Bills saw the return of their red Color Rush uniforms from 2015 in this game. With the loss, not only did the Bills drop to 0–2, but head coach Rex Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman, promoting running backs coach Anthony Lynn to offensive coordinator the next day. They also lost wide receiver Greg Salas for the season to a groin injury and lost wide receiver Sammy Watkins for several weeks to a foot injury. 
 Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals
   Week Three: Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
  at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York 
        | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 19-yard field goal, 3:29. Bills 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:51.BUF – LeSean McCoy 24-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:55. Bills 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:30.
 Second quarter  BUF – LeSean McCoy 5-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:25. Bills 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:51.ARI – David Johnson 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:05. Bills 17–7. Drive: 17 plays, 84 yards, 9:20.
 Third quarter  BUF – Tyrod Taylor 20-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 10:31. Bills 23–7. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:49.BUF – Aaron Williams 53-yard fumble return (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:25. Bills 30–7.ARI – David Johnson 22-yard run (pass failed), 0:12. Bills 30–13. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:13.
 Fourth quarter  ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 60-yard field goal, 10:36. Bills 30–16. Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 2:19.BUF – Dan Carpenter 45-yard field goal, 4:48. Bills 33–16. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:42.ARI – LeSean McCoy tackled in the end zone by Corey Peters for a safety, 3:04. Bills 33–18.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, the Bills improved to 1–2 in Lynn's first game as offensive coordinator. 
 Week 4: at New England Patriots
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 34-yard field goal, 14:49. Bills 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 3:58.BUF – Dan Carpenter 43-yard field goal, 7:46. Bills 13–0. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 4:40.
 Third quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 44-yard field goal, 0:28. Bills 16–0. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 4:27.
 Fourth quarter  | Top passers  BUF – Tyrod Taylor – 27/39, 246 yards, TDNE – Jacoby Brissett – 17/27, 205 yards
 Top rushers  BUF – LeSean McCoy – 19 rushes, 70 yardsNE – LeGarrette Blount – 13 rushes, 54 yards
 Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, not only did the Bills improve to 2–2, but Ryan got his first career regular season victory at Gillette Stadium (he was 0–7 as head coach entering the game, including six straight losses as New York Jets head coach). 
 Week 5: at Los Angeles Rams
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  BUF – Mike Gillislee 5-yard run (kick blocked), 13:59. Bills 13–3. Drive: 2 plays, 63 yards, 1:01.LA – Greg Zuerlein 32-yard field goal, 7:46. Bills 13–6. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:33.LA – Todd Gurley 1-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 1:56. Tied 13–13. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:39.BUF – Dan Carpenter 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 16–13. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 1:56.
 Third quarter  LA – Greg Zuerlein 54-yard field goal, 8:05. Tied 16–16. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 5:13.BUF – Nickell Robey-Coleman 41-yard interception return (Dan Carpenter kick), 3:54. Bills 23–16.
 Fourth quarter  LA – Greg Zuerlein 22-yard field goal, 5:51. Bills 23–19. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 8:16.BUF – Marquise Goodwin 6-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:37. Bills 30–19. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:04.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, the Bills improve to 3–2 and their first three-game winning streak since 2011 (the team started that season 3–0). 
 Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
   Week Six: San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills
  at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York 
        | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  SF – Phil Dawson 33-yard field goal, 5:43. 49ers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 13 yards, 3:53.BUF – LeSean McCoy 4-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:14. Bills 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:29.
 Second quarter  SF – Torrey Smith 53-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 13:56. 49ers 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:18.BUF – LeSean McCoy 12-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:18. Bills 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.SF – Phil Dawson 48-yard field goal, 5:54. Bills 14–13. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:24.BUF – Dan Carpenter 40-yard field goal, 0:21. Bills 17–13. Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 5:33.
 Third quarter  Fourth quarter  SF – Phil Dawson 47-yard field goal, 14:48. Bills 24–16. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:46.BUF – LeSean McCoy 18-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:53. Bills 31–16. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:55.BUF – Robert Woods 5-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:32. Bills 38–16. Drive: 1 play, 27 yards, 0:11.BUF – Mike Gillislee 44-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 5:40. Bills 45–16. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:25.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, the Bills improve to 4–2 and their first four-game winning streak since 2008 (the team started that season 4–0 in Dick Jauron's last full season as head coach). 
 Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  MIA – Andrew Franks 36-yard field goal, 7:28. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 64 yards, 7:32.BUF – Dan Carpenter 29-yard field goal, 0:49. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 1:59.
 Second quarter  BUF – Tyrod Taylor 10-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 11:47. Bills 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 2:50.MIA – Andrew Franks 33-yard field goal, 3:47. Bills 10–6. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 8:00.
 Third quarter  Fourth quarter  MIA – Damien Williams 12-yard run (Andrew Franks kick), 3:56. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:49.MIA – Kenny Stills 66-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 2:24. Dolphins 28–17. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:03.BUF – Reggie Bush 1-yard run (Tyrod Taylor–Reggie Bush pass), 0:14. Dolphins 28–25. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 2:10.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   The Bills led 17–14 by the start of the fourth quarter, but the Dolphins came back to win 28–25, causing the Bills to drop to 4–3. 
 Week 8: vs. New England Patriots
   Week Eight: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
  at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York 
 - Date: October 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), rain
- Game attendance: 70,442
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game book
     | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 23-yard field goal, 11:07. Bills 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 3:55.NE – Danny Amendola 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 4:35. Patriots 7–3. Drive 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:30.NE – Chris Hogan 53-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 1:41. Patriots 14–3. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 2:08.
 Second quarter  BUF – Mike Gillislee 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 6:26. Patriots 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 2:14.NE – Rob Gronkowski 53-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 4:18. Patriots 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 2:08.NE – Stephen Gostkowski 51-yard field goal, 0:03. Patriots 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 0:27.
 Third quarter  NE – Julian Edelman 12-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 14:00. Patriots 31–10. Drive: 2 plays, 24 yards, 1:00.BUF – Tyrod Taylor 26-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 7:57. Patriots 31–17. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:03.NE – LeGarrette Blount 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:10. Patriots 38–17. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:52.
 Fourth quarter  NE – Stephen Gostkowski 32-yard field goal, 7:10. Patriots 41–17. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 4:52.BUF – Jonathan Williams (EJ Manuel–Nick O'Leary pass), 0:33. Patriots 41–25. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 1:56.
 | Top passers  NE – Tom Brady – 22/33, 315 yards, 4 TDBUF – Tyrod Taylor – 19/38, 183 yards
 Top rushers  NE – LeGarrette Blount – 18 rushes, 43 yards, TDBUF – Mike Gillislee – 12 rushes, 85 yards, TD
 Top receivers  NE – Rob Gronkowski – 5 receptions, 109 yards, TDBUF – Walt Powell – 3 receptions, 59 yards
    |  | 
   Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  SEA – Jimmy Graham 17-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 14:54. Tied 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:27.BUF – Dan Carpenter 31-yard field goal, 9:32. Bills 17–14. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:22.SEA – Christine Michael 3-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 4:29. Seahawks 21–17. Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 1:42.SEA – Jimmy Graham 18-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 1:00. Seahawks 28–17. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 1:19.
 Third quarter  Fourth quarter  BUF – Mike Gillislee 1-yard run (Tyrod Taylor run), 14:26. Seahawks 28–25. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 6:49.SEA – Steven Hauschka 49-yard field goal, 9:49. Seahawks 31–25. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:37.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the loss, not only did the Bills drop to 4–5, but they also lost center Eric Wood for the season. 
 Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  BUF – LeSean McCoy 7-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 8:52. Bills 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:23.CIN – Andy Dalton 2-yard run (kick failed, hit right upright), 2:34. Bills 7–6. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:18.
 Second quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 26-yard field goal, 9:03. Bills 10–6. Drive: 4 plays, −5 yards, 2:05.CIN – Tyler Boyd 1-yard pass from Andy Dalton (kick failed, hit right upright), 3:10. Bengals 12–10. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 5:53.
 Third quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 54-yard field goal, 10:25. Bills 13–12. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 4:35.
 Fourth quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 20-yard field goal, 12:05. Bills 16–12. Drive: 15 plays, 88 yards, 8:12.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, the Bills improved to 5–5, but running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Robert Woods and safety Robert Blanton left the game with injuries. 
 Week 12: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
   Week Twelve: Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
  at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York 
        | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  BUF – LeSean McCoy 7-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 0:20. Jaguars 7–6. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 1:04.
 Third quarter  BUF – LeSean McCoy 75-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 14:47. Bills 7–13. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:13.JAX – Marqise Lee 20-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 9:26. Jaguars 14–13. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:21.BUF – Tyrod Taylor 7-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 3:00. Bills 20–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34.
 Fourth quarter  JAX – Allen Hurns 12-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 14:52. Jaguars 21–20. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:08.BUF – Justin Hunter 16-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (LeSean McCoy run), 10:46. Bills 28–21. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:06.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, the Bills improved to 6–5, but defensive tackle Corbin Bryant and wide receiver Walt Powell had to miss the rest of the season. 
 Week 13: at Oakland Raiders
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 27-yard field goal, 8:02. Bills 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:10.OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 47-yard field goal, 4:35. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:27.
 Second quarter  BUF – Mike Gillislee 1-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 13:28. Bills 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:07.OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 41-yard field goal, 2:56. Bills 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 38 yards, 4:24.OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 47-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 10–9. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 0:30.
 Third quarter  BUF – Tyrod Taylor 12-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 14:03. Bills 17–9. Drive: 2 plays, 66 yards, 0:57.BUF – Mike Gillislee 2-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 9:01. Bills 24–9. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:10.OAK – Michael Crabtree 3-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 5:17. Bills 24–16. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:44.OAK – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:57. Bills 24–23. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 3:03.
 Fourth quarter  OAK – Amari Cooper 37-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 14:08. Raiders 30–24. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 0:40.OAK – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Derek Carr–Seth Roberts pass), 8:34. Raiders 38–24. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 2:11.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the loss, the Bills dropped to 6–6. 
 Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
   Week Fourteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
  at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York 
 - Date: December 11
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C), snow showers
- Game attendance: 69,657
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game book
     | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  PIT – Le'Veon Bell 7-yard run (Chris Boswell kick), 12:00. Steelers 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:14.BUF – Sammy Watkins 8-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 7:07. Steelers 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 1:27.
 Third quarter  PIT – Le'Veon Bell 5-yard run (Chris Boswell kick), 5:28. Steelers 21–7. Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 6:33.
 Fourth quarter  PIT – Chris Boswell 37-yard field goal, 9:57. Steelers 24–7. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 3:34.BUF – Charles Clay 40-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (kick failed, hit left upright), 7:27. Steelers 24–13. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:30.PIT – Chris Boswell 39-yard field goal, 3:38. Steelers 27–13. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:49.BUF – LeSean McCoy 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:25. Steelers 27–20. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns
   Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills
  at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York 
 - Date: December 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 66,529
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Adam Archuleta
- Recap, Game book
     | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 21-yard field goal, 10:14. Bills 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:06.CLE – Cody Parkey 35-yard field goal, 3:50. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:24.BUF – Mike Gillislee 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:00. Bills 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:50.
 Second quarter  BUF – Charles Clay 19-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:34. Bills 17–3. Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 7:29.
 Third quarter  CLE – Robert Griffin III 18-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 8:58. Bills 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:54.BUF – LeSean McCoy 3-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 5:50. Bills 24–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.CLE – Cody Parkey 40-yard field goal, 1:32. Bills 24–13. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:18.
 Fourth quarter  BUF – LeSean McCoy 8-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 12:38. Bills 30–13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:54.BUF – Dan Carpenter 34-yard field goal, 7:21. Bills 33–13. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 4:00.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   With the win, the Bills improved to 7–7 and keep their slim playoff chances alive. The team set a new franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season (27) with LeSean McCoy's second rushing score of the game. This was also the 400th regular-season win in franchise history. 
 Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  Third quarter  MIA – DeVante Parker 56-yard pass from Matt Moore (Andrew Franks kick), 12:05. Dolphins 21–7. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:55.BUF – LeSean McCoy 19-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 6:46. Dolphins 21–14. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 5:19.MIA – Kenny Stills 6-yard pass from Matt Moore (Andrew Franks kick), 3:14. Dolphins 28–14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:32.BUF – Charles Clay 18-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:02. Dolphins 28–21. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:02.
 Fourth quarter  BUF – Dan Carpenter 28-yard field goal, 5:51. Dolphins 28–24. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 4:24.BUF – Charles Clay 7-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:20. Bills 31–28. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 2:40.MIA – Andrew Franks 55-yard field goal, 0:06. Tied 31–31. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 1:14.
 Overtime  MIA – Andrew Franks 27-yard field goal, 0:47. Dolphins 34–31. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:13.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   After the Bills took the lead with a touchdown inside the two-minute warning at the end of the fourth quarter, the Dolphins took the game to overtime with a 55-yard field goal with six seconds on the clock. They then secured the win with 47 seconds left in the extra period with another field goal from 27 yards. The loss for the Bills meant they were eliminated from playoff contention for the 17th consecutive season. Two days later, the Bills fired head coach Rex Ryan and assistant head coach Rob Ryan. 
 Week 17: at New York Jets
      | Game information | 
  |      | First quarter  Second quarter  NYJ – Bilal Powell 2-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Nick Folk kick), 9:28. Jets 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:34.BUF – Dan Carpenter 34-yard field goal, 1:45. Jets 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 4:12.NYJ – Nick Folk 30-yard field goal, 0:00. Jets 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 1:45.
 Third quarter  NYJ – Jalin Marshall 6-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Nick Folk kick), 4:03. Jets 17–3. Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards, 1:28.NYJ – Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 0:01. Jets 20–3. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 2:35.
 Fourth quarter  NYJ – Nick Folk 25-yard field goal, 3:21. Jets 23–3. Drive: 4 plays, −4 yards, 1:42.NYJ – Doug Middleton kickoff recovery in the end zone (Nick Folk kick), 3:21. Jets 30–3. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00.BUF – Mike Gillislee 1-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:39. Jets 30–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:42.
 | Top passers  Top rushers  Top receivers     |  | 
   Anthony Lynn served as interim head coach, and EJ Manuel made his first start of the season, though he was benched in the 4th quarter as Cardale Jones took over. With the loss, Buffalo ended the season 7–9. This game included a notable flaw on Bills' special teams during a botched kickoff play. Jets' kicker Nick Folk made the ball bounce inside the field, over the heads of Bills' special teamers and into the endzone, only to see the surrounding Bills' players miscommunicate and fail to secure the live ball; Jets' specialist Doug Middleton then fell on the ball inside the endzone, giving New York their last touchdown of the game. 
 Standings
 Division
  Conference
   |  | 
  | # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK | 
  | Division leaders | 
  | 1 | New England Patriots | East | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 5–1 | 11–1 | .439 | .424 | W7 | 
  | 2[a] | Kansas City Chiefs | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 9–3 | .508 | .479 | W2 | 
  | 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .494 | .423 | W7 | 
  | 4[b] | Houston Texans | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–1 | 7–5 | .502 | .427 | L1 | 
  | Wild Cards | 
  | 5[a] | Oakland Raiders | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .504 | .443 | L1 | 
  | 6 | Miami Dolphins | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .455 | .341 | L1 | 
  | Did not qualify for the postseason | 
  | 7[b][c] | Tennessee Titans | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .465 | .458 | W1 | 
  | 8[c] | Denver Broncos | West | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .549 | .455 | W1 | 
  | 9[d] | Baltimore Ravens | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .498 | .363 | L2 | 
  | 10[d] | Indianapolis Colts | South | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .492 | .406 | W1 | 
  | 11 |  | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .482 | .339 | L2 | 
  | 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | North | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .521 | .333 | W1 | 
  | 13[e] | New York Jets | East | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .518 | .313 | W1 | 
  | 14[e] | San Diego Chargers | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .543 | .513 | L5 | 
  | 15 | Jacksonville Jaguars | South | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 2–10 | .527 | .417 | L1 | 
  | 16 | Cleveland Browns | North | 1 | 15 | 0 | .063 | 0–6 | 1–11 | .549 | .313 | L1 | 
  | Tiebreakers[f] | 
  |   ^ a b Kansas City clinched the AFC West division over Oakland based on head-to-head sweep. ^ a b Houston clinched the AFC South division title over Tennessee based on record vs. division opponents. ^ a b Tennessee finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head victory. ^ a b Baltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on record vs. conference opponents. ^ a b The New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based record vs. common opponents — the Jets' cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis,Kansas City and Miami was 1–4, while San Diego's cumulative record against the same four teams was 0–5.
^ 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.  | 
 References
   - ^ Lyles Jr., Harry (December 24, 2016). "Bills extend NFL's longest playoff drought". SBNation.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024. 
- ^ a b c d Brown, Chris (January 4, 2016). "Bills sign four players to extensions". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (January 20, 2016). "RB James Wilder Jr. signed by the Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Orr, Conor (August 1, 2016). "Buffalo Bills sign Reggie Bush to one-year deal". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (March 16, 2016). "Bills sign free agent TE Jim Dray". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ "Bills re-sign WR Leonard Hankerson". Buffalo Bills. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ "Bills sign WR Kain Colter". Buffalo Bills. August 1, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016. 
- ^ Rodak, Mike (March 8, 2016). "Richie Incognito will be back with Bills in 2016". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (April 7, 2016). "Bills sign C-G Fernando Velasco". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Jackson, Zac (March 30, 2016). "OT Mills signs tender with Bills". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b c Brown, Chris (June 13, 2016). "Bills sign DL Douzable, OT Martin". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ Wesseling, Chris (May 3, 2016). "Glenn, Bills agree to 5-year deal worth up to $65M". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b Brown, Chris (June 17, 2016). "Tryout player Renfrow signs with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (March 7, 2016). "Bills tender contracts for three restricted free agents". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b "Bills sign DT Casey Walker". Buffalo Bills. July 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ a b Brown, Chris (April 4, 2016). "LB Zach Brown, CB Corey White sign with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b Brown, Chris (April 12, 2016). "LB Alexander, S Anderson agree to terms with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ "Bills sign CB/KR Javier Arenas". Buffalo Bills. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (April 5, 2016). "Bills sign free agent CB Sterling Moore". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (March 18, 2016). "Bills sign S Robert Blanton". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Sessler, Marc (March 11, 2016). "Chris Hogan signs offer sheet with Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ "Lions sign free agent DT Stefan Charles". Detroit Lions. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b Bradham, Michael (March 9, 2016). "Eagles sign ex-Bills Nigel Bradham, Ron Brooks". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b c d Alper, Josh (March 1, 2016). "Boobie Dixon says his "time is up" in Buffalo". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ a b Jackson, Zac (August 1, 2016). "Bills add a wide receiver, cut down to one kicker". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ "Bills release linebacker AJ Tarpley, tight end Jacob Maxwell". www.bostonherald.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ "Bills release offensive lineman Tyson Chandler". Buffalo Bills. April 15, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ a b c "Bills release three veterans". Buffalo Bills. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (April 19, 2016). "Bills release LB Tony Steward". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Brown, Chris (March 4, 2016). "Bills release CB Leodis McKelvin". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Jackson, Zac (April 18, 2016). "Bills release DB Cam Thomas". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2016. 
- ^ Hunter, Jeff (June 9, 2016). "Buffalo Bills bring back RB Boom Herron". Buffalo Rumblings. Retrieved August 4, 2016. 
- ^ "2016 NFL Draft Prospect Visits Tracked by Team". April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2022. 
- ^ "Bills hire Kathryn Smith, first full-time female coach". NFL.com. January 20, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2025. 
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