Buffalo Bills: Franchise History Deep-Dive

Test your knowledge of the Dynasty, the Drought, and the Mafia!

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1. In what year did the Buffalo Bills officially begin play as an original member of the American Football League (AFL)?

A) 1958

B) 1960

C) 1963

D) 1966

Correct Answer: B) 1960 The Story Behind the Stat: The Bills were one of the eight original AFL franchises founded by Ralph Wilson. The name was a reboot of a previous Buffalo team that played in the AAFC in the late 1940s.

2. Which legendary defensive end holds the Buffalo Bills (and NFL) all-time record for career sacks?

A) Aaron Schobel

B) Cornelius Bennett

C) Bruce Smith

D) Kyle Williams

Correct Answer: C) Bruce Smith The Story Behind the Stat: Bruce Smith finished his career with 200.0 sacks, a record that still stands today. He was the anchor of the defense during the Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl runs.

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3. Before moving to Orchard Park, where did the Bills play their home games from 1960 to 1972?

A) War Memorial Stadium

B) Rich Stadium

C) Erie County Field

D) Buffalo Civic Center

Correct Answer: A) War Memorial Stadium The Story Behind the Stat: Affectionately known as "The Rockpile," War Memorial Stadium was famous for its gritty atmosphere and was even used as a filming location for the movie *The Natural*.

4. Who was the head coach that led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s?

A) Lou Saban

B) Chuck Knox

C) Marv Levy

D) Wade Phillips

Correct Answer: C) Marv Levy The Story Behind the Stat: A Hall of Famer and master motivator, Levy is the winningest coach in franchise history. He famously told his players, "Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"

5. In the 1992 Wild Card round, the Bills orchestrated "The Comeback" against the Houston Oilers. Who was the starting quarterback for Buffalo that day?

A) Jim Kelly

B) Frank Reich

C) Gale Gilbert

D) Todd Collins

Correct Answer: B) Frank Reich The Story Behind the Stat: With Jim Kelly injured, Reich led the Bills back from a 32-point deficit to win 41-38. It remained the largest comeback in NFL history for 30 years.

6. Which Bills running back is the only player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14-game season?

A) Thurman Thomas

B) Cookie Gilchrist

C) O.J. Simpson

D) LeSean McCoy

Correct Answer: C) O.J. Simpson The Story Behind the Stat: In 1973, Simpson rushed for 2,003 yards. While others have since passed the 2,000-yard mark, they all did it in 16-game seasons, making Simpson's 14-game feat statistically incredible.

7. The Bills won back-to-back AFL Championships in which two years?

A) 1960 & 1961

B) 1964 & 1965

C) 1966 & 1967

D) 1969 & 1970

Correct Answer: B) 1964 & 1965 The Story Behind the Stat: Led by QB Jack Kemp and a ferocious defense, the Bills defeated the San Diego Chargers in both championship games, cementing their status as an AFL powerhouse.

8. Which University of Miami star was drafted by the Bills in 1983 but initially chose to play in the USFL?

A) Jim Kelly

B) Bernie Kosar

C) Vinny Testaverde

D) Dan Marino

Correct Answer: A) Jim Kelly The Story Behind the Stat: Kelly played for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL before finally joining the Bills in 1986. His arrival transformed the franchise into a perennial contender.

9. Who holds the franchise record for the most career receiving yards?

A) Eric Moulds

B) Stefon Diggs

C) Andre Reed

D) Lee Evans

Correct Answer: C) Andre Reed The Story Behind the Stat: Reed amassed 13,095 receiving yards over 15 seasons with Buffalo. He was Jim Kelly's most reliable target and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

10. What was the final score of the 1990 AFC Championship game where Buffalo defeated the Los Angeles Raiders to reach their first Super Bowl?

A) 24-7

B) 31-10

C) 51-3

D) 45-14

Correct Answer: C) 51-3 The Story Behind the Stat: It remains one of the most lopsided playoff games in NFL history. The Bills' "K-Gun" offense was unstoppable, scoring 41 points in the first half alone.

11. Which Bills player was named the NFL League MVP in 1991?

A) Jim Kelly

B) Bruce Smith

C) Thurman Thomas

D) Andre Reed

Correct Answer: C) Thurman Thomas The Story Behind the Stat: Thomas led the NFL in yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons (1989–1992), but 1991 was his peak, earning him the league's highest individual honor.

12. In 2017, the Bills snapped a 17-year playoff drought. Who was the head coach during that breakthrough season?

A) Rex Ryan

B) Doug Marrone

C) Sean McDermott

D) Chan Gailey

Correct Answer: C) Sean McDermott The Story Behind the Stat: In his first year as head coach, McDermott led the Bills to a 9-7 record, ending the longest active postseason drought in North American pro sports at the time.

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13. From which university did the Bills draft superstar quarterback Josh Allen in 2018?

A) Wyoming

B) North Dakota State

C) Fresno State

D) Boise State

Correct Answer: A) Wyoming The Story Behind the Stat: Allen was the 7th overall pick. Despite concerns about his accuracy in college, he developed into one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in League history.

14. What is the name of the Bills' fan base, known for their high-energy tailgating and "table-breaking" traditions?

A) The Stampede

B) Bills Mafia

C) The Herd

D) Blue Crew

Correct Answer: B) Bills Mafia The Story Behind the Stat: The term originated on Twitter in 2011 and has since grown into a massive community known for both its wild celebrations and its incredible charitable donations.

15. Which Bills linebacker was the first player in franchise history to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1987)?

A) Darryl Talley

B) Shane Conlan

C) Bryce Paup

D) Takeo Spikes

Correct Answer: B) Shane Conlan The Story Behind the Stat: A local favorite from Penn State, Conlan was a key part of the defense that helped turn the Bills into a powerhouse in the late 80s.

16. Who was the founder and long-time owner of the Buffalo Bills from their inception until his passing in 2014?

A) Terry Pegula

B) Ralph Wilson Jr.

C) Lamar Hunt

D) Bud Adams

Correct Answer: B) Ralph Wilson Jr. The Story Behind the Stat: Wilson was a pioneer of the AFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The Bills' stadium bore his name for many years.

17. What jersey number was retired by the Bills to honor "The K-Gun" architect Jim Kelly?

A) 12

B) 7

C) 83

D) 34

Correct Answer: A) 12 The Story Behind the Stat: Number 12 was the first number officially retired by the Bills. Since then, they have also retired 78 (Bruce Smith) and 34 (Thurman Thomas).

18. Which Bills receiver is famously remembered for the "Music City Miracle" being performed against him (though he had a stellar career otherwise)?

A) Peerless Price

B) Kevin Williams

C) Steve Johnson

D) Eric Moulds

Correct Answer: B) Kevin Williams The Story Behind the Stat: Williams was the returner who kicked the ball deep to the Titans. While the Bills lost that game on a controversial lateral, Williams was a versatile player for the Bills in the late 90s.

19. Who was the primary kicker for the Bills during their four-year Super Bowl run?

A) Steve Christie

B) Scott Norwood

C) Rian Lindell

D) Tyler Bass

Correct Answer: B) Scott Norwood The Story Behind the Stat: Norwood is unfortunately remembered for the "Wide Right" kick in Super Bowl XXV, but he was the team's leading scorer for years and a Pro Bowler in 1988.

20. Against which team did the Bills record their first-ever playoff win in the modern NFL era (1981)?

A) New York Jets

B) Miami Dolphins

C) Cincinnati Bengals

D) Kansas City Chiefs

Correct Answer: A) New York Jets The Story Behind the Stat: The Bills defeated the Jets 31-27 in the 1981 Wild Card round. It was their first postseason victory since the AFL-NFL merger.