The AFC showdown is set, with the top two seeds battling it out for a ticket to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. It’s the Bills versus the Chiefs, squaring off for the ninth time since 2020. This time, the action takes place at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Both teams have traded punches evenly over their last eight games, sitting at 4-4. However, Buffalo hasn’t cracked the code when it comes to beating Kansas City in the postseason. Earlier this season, the Bills managed to take home a 30-21 win in Buffalo. But the million-dollar question is, can they pull it off again, punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, and maybe even win it all? Considering all of this, let’s take a look into the Bills’ playoff history to see what makes this franchise tick.
Buffalo Bills’ Playoff Appearances And Results
The Buffalo Bills have a long history in the playoffs, making it to the NFL postseason 24 times, including 19 times since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Their overall playoff record is 19-21, with an equal 18-18 record in the Super Bowl era. The Bills had their most successful run from 1988 to 1999, when they made the playoffs 10 times, won six AFC East division titles, and appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. However, the team also went through a long 17-year stretch without making the playoffs from 2000 to 2016, which was the longest active streak in the league at the time.
Recently, the Bills have come back strong, making the playoffs six times in a row from 2019 to 2024 under head coach Sean McDermott. Their best recent playoff run came in 2020 when they reached the AFC Championship Game but lost 38-24 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Super Bowl History And Drought
The Bills are one of 12 NFL teams that have never won a Super Bowl. Despite making it to the big game four times in a row from 1990 to 1993, they lost each of those Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XXV, they lost to the New York Giants 20-19, with Scott Norwood’s missed field goal being one of the most famous moments in NFL history. In Super Bowl XXVI, they lost 37-24 to the Washington Redskins. They also lost Super Bowl XXVII 52-17 to the Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowl XXVIII 30-13 to the Cowboys again.
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The last time the Bills played in a Super Bowl was in 1994, and since then, they have gone 31 years without another appearance, which is the seventh-longest active Super Bowl drought in the NFL. For comparison, the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns have never played in a Super Bowl, and the New York Jets haven’t been back since they won in 1969.
Also Read: What Are The Longest Playoff Droughts In NFL History?
Josh Allen’s Impact On The Buffalo Bills And Career Highlights
Josh Allen, who was drafted seventh overall in 2018, has become the leader of the Bills and a big reason for their recent success. Since he joined the team, Allen has led Buffalo to the playoffs six times in seven seasons, with a regular-season record of 65-35 as a starting quarterback. Overall, Allen has thrown for 26,434 yards and 195 touchdowns over his career, completing 63.6% of his passes. He has also rushed for 4,291 yards and scored 51 rushing touchdowns.
In the playoffs, Allen has thrown for 2,407 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 67.1% of his passes. He has also rushed for 396 yards and scored 6 rushing touchdowns. His ability to run and throw the ball has made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL. During the 2024 season, he threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns while also rushing for 531 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. In the postseason, he continued to play at a high level, completing 75% of his passes and throwing for 399 yards in their divisional-round game.
Also Read: Which Are The Highest-Scoring Playoff Games In NFL History?
Historical Playoff Results
The Bills have been part of many memorable playoff games, including “The Comeback” in 1993, when they came back from a 32-point deficit to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime. This game remains the largest comeback in NFL history. The Bills have made six AFC Championship appearances over the years. They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 21-10 in 1988, and in 1990, they beat the Los Angeles Raiders 51-3. In 1991, they won against the Denver Broncos 10-7, but in 1992, they lost to the Miami Dolphins 29-10. The Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-13 in 1993 before losing to them again in 2020, 38-24.
In more recent years, the Bills’ playoff runs have ended in disappointment. In the 2021 AFC Divisional Round, they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 42-36 in overtime, in a game many call one of the greatest NFL games ever played. The next season, the Bills lost 27-10 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round, even though they entered the playoffs with a strong 13-3 record.
Also Read: Philadelphia Eagles’ Playoff History: Wins, Super Bowls, And More
