1994 Buffalo Bills season

1994 Buffalo Bills season
1994 Buffalo Bills season
Owner	Ralph Wilson
General manager	John Butler
Head coach	Marv Levy
Home stadium	Rich Stadium
Results
Record	7–9
Division place	4th AFC East
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	WR Andre Reed; WR Steve Tasker; DE Bruce Smith

The 1994 Buffalo Bills season was the 35th season for the team franchise and the 25th in the National Football League. The Bills entered the season as the four-time defending AFC champions and looked to advance to the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season and to the Super Bowl for the fifth consecutive season---and to finally win a Super Bowl.

However, for the first time since 1987, the Bills failed to make the playoffs. Buffalo finished at 7–9 for the year, only good enough for fourth place in the AFC East.^[1] Going into Week 14 the Bills were still in postseason contention, before losing their final three games and finishing the season with a losing record for the first time since the strike-shortened 1987 season.

Offseason

Additions	Subtractions
QB Rick Strom (Steelers)	T Howard Ballard (Seahawks)
	CB James Williams (Cardinals)
	QB Gale Gilbert (Chargers)
	G Jim Ritcher (Falcons)

NFL draft

1994 Buffalo Bills draft
Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	27	Jeff Burris	CB	Notre Dame
2	48	Bucky Brooks	CB	North Carolina
	61	Lonnie Johnson	TE	Florida State
	64	Sam Rogers	LB	Colorado
3	81	Marlo Perry	LB	Jackson State
3	98	Corey Louchiey	OT	South Carolina
4	130	Sean Crocker	DB	North Carolina
5	158	A. J. Ofodile	TE	Missouri
6	188	Anthony Abrams	DT	Clark Atlanta
	192	Kevin Knox	WR	Florida State
	221	Filmel Johnson	DB	Illinois

Source:^[2]

Undrafted free agents

1994 undrafted free agents of note
Player	Position	College
John Bock	Center	Indiana State
Mike Collins	Safety	West Virginia
Todd Herget	Linebacker	BYU
Steve Hoyem	Tackle	Stanford

Personnel

Staff/coaches

1994 Buffalo Bills staff^[3]

Front office

President – Ralph Wilson
Vice president of administration/general manager – John Butler
Assistant general manager/director of pro personnel – Bob Ferguson
Director of player personnel – John Butler
Assistant director/collegiate scouting – A. J. Smith
Summer intern – Tom Telesco

Coaching staff

Vice president for football operations/head coach – Marv Levy
Assistant head coach - Elijah Pitts
Administrative assistant to the head coach – Chuck Lester

Offensive coaches

Offensive coordinator/offensive line – Tom Bresnahan
Quarterbacks coach – Jim Shofner
Running backs coach – Elijah Pitts
Receivers coach – Charlie Joiner
Offensive quality control/tight ends – Don Lawrence

Defensive coaches

Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Walt Corey
Defensive line – Dan Sekanovich
Defensive backs – Dick Roach
Linebackers coach - Walt Corey
Assistant linebackers coach – Chuck Lester

Special teams

Special teams – Bruce DeHaven

Strength & conditioning

Strength and conditioning coordinator – Rusty Jones

Roster

1994 Buffalo Bills roster

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

66 Jerry Crafts T/G
65 John Davis G
62 Mike Devlin C
70 John Fina T
76 Steve Hoyem T
67 Kent Hull C
63 Adam Lingner C/LS
72 Corey Louchiey T
60 Jerry Ostroski G
74 Glenn Parker T

Defensive linemen

77 Oliver Barnett DE
90 Phil Hansen DE
73 Mike Lodish NT
99 James Patton DE
94 Mark Pike DE
78 Bruce Smith DE
91 Jeff Wright NT

Linebackers

97 Cornelius Bennett OLB
50 Keith Goganious ILB
55 Mark Maddox ILB
53 Marvcus Patton ILB
58 Marlo Perry OLB
59 Sam Rogers OLB
56 Darryl Talley OLB

Defensive backs

22 Jeff Burris CB/PR
43 Matt Darby FS
38 Mike Dumas FS
41 Greg Evans SS
36 Jerome Henderson CB
39 Filmel Johnson CB
20 Henry Jones SS
24 Kurt Schulz FS
28 Thomas Smith CB
25 Mickey Washington CB

Special teams

2 Steve Christie K
9 Chris Mohr P

Reserve lists

81 Bucky Brooks WR/KR (IR)
96 Monty Brown LB (IR)
12 Jim Kelly QB (IR)
68 Corbin Lacina G (IR)
86 A. J. Ofodile TE (PUP)
71 Ed Philion DT (IR)
89 Steve Tasker WR (IR)

Practice squad

* Note: Rookies in Italics

53 active, 7 inactive

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 4	New York Jets	L 3–23	0–1	Rich Stadium	Recap
2	September 11	at New England Patriots	W 38–35	1–1	Foxboro Stadium	Recap
3	September 18	at Houston Oilers	W 15–7	2–1	Astrodome	Recap
4	September 26	Denver Broncos	W 27–20	3–1	Rich Stadium	Recap
5	October 2	at Chicago Bears	L 13–20	3–2	Soldier Field	Recap
6	October 9	Miami Dolphins	W 21–11	4–2	Rich Stadium	Recap
7	October 16	Indianapolis Colts	L 17–27	4–3	Rich Stadium	Recap
8	Bye
9	October 30	Kansas City Chiefs	W 44–10	5–3	Rich Stadium	Recap
10	November 6	at New York Jets	L 17–22	5–4	Giants Stadium	Recap
11	November 14	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 10–23	5–5	Three Rivers Stadium	Recap
12	November 20	Green Bay Packers	W 29–20	6–5	Rich Stadium	Recap
13	November 24	at Detroit Lions	L 21–35	6–6	Pontiac Silverdome	Recap
14	December 4	at Miami Dolphins	W 42–31	7–6	Joe Robbie Stadium	Recap
15	December 11	Minnesota Vikings	L 17–21	7–7	Rich Stadium	Recap
16	December 18	New England Patriots	L 17–41	7–8	Rich Stadium	Recap
17	December 24	at Indianapolis Colts	L 9–10	7–9	RCA Dome	Recap

Game summaries

Week 1

Pete Carroll's debut as a head coach with the New York Jets.

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Jets	0	17	3	3	23
Bills	3	0	0	0	3

Date: September 4
Location: Rich Stadium Orchard Park, New York
Game start: 4:00 PM EST
Game attendance: 79,460
Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C) • 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
Referee: Gerald Austin
TV announcers (NFL on NBC): Marv Albert and Paul Maguire

Week 2

Week Two: Buffalo Bills (0–1) at New England Patriots (0–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	14	14	0	10	38
Patriots	7	7	7	14	35

at Foxboro Stadium • Foxborough, Massachusetts

Date: September 11
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
Game attendance: 60,274
Referee: Dale Hamer
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece
Pro-Football-Reference.com, The Football Database

Game information

Bills

Jim Kelly
25/41, 328 Yds, 4 TD, 3 INT
Thurman Thomas
26 Rush, 106 Yds
Andre Reed
7 Rec, 142 Yds, TD

Patriots

Drew Bledsoe
26/42, 380 Yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Marion Butts
18 Rush, 82 Yds, 2 TD
Ben Coates
9 Rec, 124 Yds, 2 TD

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	BUF	NE
1	12:38	8	80		Bills	Andre Reed 37-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Steve Christie kick good	7	0
1	6:58	11	89		Bills	Thurman Thomas 4-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Steve Christie kick good	14	0
1	0:07	6	42		Patriots	Ben Coates 18-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Matt Bahr kick good	14	7
2	12:04	9	77		Bills	Bill Brooks 12-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Steve Christie kick good	21	7
2	2:58	10	88		Patriots	Ben Coates 5-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Matt Bahr kick good	21	14
2	1:13	6	78		Bills	Don Beebe 14-yard touchdown reception from Jim Kelly, Steve Christie kick good	28	14
3	12:33	1	19		Patriots	Marion Butts 19-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	28	21
4	14:07				Bills	Fumble recovery in end zone for touchdown by Mike Lodish, Steve Christie kick good	35	21
4	9:17	3	23		Patriots	Michael Timpson 12-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Matt Bahr kick good	35	28
4	9:22	5	69		Patriots	Marion Butts 6-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good	35	35
4	0:52	8	53		Bills	32-yard field goal by Steve Christie	38	35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							38	35

Week 3

In a game that featured the old American Football League helmets, the Houston Oilers starting QB for this game was Bucky Richardson.

Buffalo Bills (1-1) at Houston Oilers (0-2)

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Bills	0	9	3	3	15
Oilers	0	0	0	7	7

Date: September 18
Location: Astrodome Houston, Texas
Game start: 1:00pm EST
Game attendance: 55,424
Game weather: DOME
Referee: Ron Blum
TV announcers (NFL on NBC): Charlie Jones (sportscaster) and Randy Cross

Week 4

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	10	3	20
• Bills	3	14	7	3	27

Date: September 26
Location: Rich Stadium
Game start: 9:00
Game attendance: 75,373
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Lynn Swann (Sideline Reporter)

Week 5

Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Chicago Bears (2-2)

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	3	3	7	0	13
• Bears	0	7	3	10	20

Date: October 2
Location: Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois
Game start: 4:00 PM EST
Game attendance: 62,406
Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • 16 miles per hour (26 km/h; 14 kn)
Referee: Ed Hochuli
TV announcers (NFL on NBC): Dick Enberg, Bob Trumpy, and Hannah Storm

Week 6

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	3	0	0	8	11
• Bills	0	7	7	7	21

Date: October 9
Location: Rich Stadium Orchard Park, New York
Game start: 1:00 PM EST
Game attendance: 79,491
Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C) • 20 miles per hour (32 km/h; 17 kn)
Referee: Jerry Markbreit
TV announcers (NFL on NBC): Dick Enberg, Bob Trumpy, and Hannah Storm

^[4]

Week 7

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Colts	3	7	7	10	27
Bills	7	3	0	7	17

Date: October 16
Location: Rich Stadium
Game start: 1:00
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth

Week 9

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	0	3	0	10
• Bills	14	17	3	10	44

Date: October 30
Location: Rich Stadium
Game start: 1:00
Game attendance: 79,501
Game weather: 58 degrees, wind 14 mph
Referee: Gordon McCarter
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Bob Trumpy, and Hannah Storm (Sideline Reporter)

Week 10

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	14	0	3	17
• Jets	3	7	6	6	22

Date: November 6
Location: Giants Stadium
Game start: 4:00
Referee: Howard Roe
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Bob Trumpy, and Hannah Storm

Week 11

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	3	7	0	10
• Steelers	10	6	7	0	23

Date: November 14
Location: Three Rivers Stadium - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 9:00 PM EST
Game attendance: 59,019
Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C) • 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
Referee: Ed Hochuli
TV announcers (Monday Night Football, ABC): Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Lynn Swann (sideline reporter)

Week 12

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	6	14	0	20
• Bills	14	13	0	2	29

Date: November 20
Location: Rich Stadium
Game start: 1:00 PM EST
Game attendance: 79,029
Game weather: 41 °F (5.0 °C); wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
Referee: Johnny Grier
TV announcers (FOX): Joe Buck and Tim Green

Week 13

Thanksgiving Day Game

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	7	7	7	21
• Lions	7	14	0	14	35

Date: November 24
Location: Pontiac Silverdome
Game start: 12:30 PM EST
Game attendance: 75,67
Game weather: Indoors (dome)
Referee: Larry Nemmers
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Bob Trumpy, and Hannah Storm (sideline reporter)

Week 14

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Bills	7	0	21	14	42
Dolphins	0	17	0	14	31

Date: December 4, 1994
Location: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida
Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
Game attendance: 69,358
Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers (ESPN Sunday Night Football): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, and Mark Malone (sideline reporter)

^[5]

Week 15

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Vikings	3	6	3	9	21
Bills	7	3	7	0	17

Date: December 11
Location: Rich Stadium
Game start: 1:00
TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Anthony Muñoz, and Kevin Frazier

Week 16

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Patriots	3	14	14	10	41
Bills	10	7	0	0	17

Date: December 18
Location: Rich Stadium
Game start: 1:00
Referee: Red Cashion
TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert, Paul Maguire, and John Dockery (sideline reporter)

Week 17

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	6	0	3	9
• Colts	0	0	10	0	10

Date: December 24
Location: Hoosier Dome
Game start: 1:00
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece

Standings

AFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
⁽³⁾ Miami Dolphins	10	6	0	.625	389	327	W1
⁽⁵⁾ New England Patriots	10	6	0	.625	351	312	W7
Indianapolis Colts	8	8	0	.500	307	320	W2
	7	9	0	.438	340	356	L3
New York Jets	6	10	0	.375	264	320	L5

Notes

References

^ 1994 was the only season between 1988 and 1996 when Buffalo did not qualify for the postseason.
^ "1994 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. December 16, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
^ 1994 Buffalo Bills Media Guide. pp. 2–23.
^ "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - October 9th, 1994". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
^ "Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - December 4th, 1994". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.

[1] 1994 was the only season between 1988 and 1996 when Buffalo did not qualify for the postseason.

[2] "1994 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. December 16, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2025.

[3] 1994 Buffalo Bills Media Guide. pp. 2–23.

[4] "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - October 9th, 1994". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2025.

[5] "Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - December 4th, 1994". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]


Q1	BUF	Brooks 8 yard pass from Kelly (Christie kick)	BUF 7–0

Q2	MIA	Fryar 3 yard pass from Marino (Stoyanovich kick)	Tie 7–7

Q2	MIA	Stoyanovich 23 yard field goal	MIA 10–7

Q2	MIA	Fryar 45 yard pass from Marino (Stoyanovich kick)	MIA 17–7

Q3	BUF	Beebe 72 yard pass from Kelly (Christie kick)	MIA 17–14

Q3	BUF	Reed 21 yard pass from Kelly (Christie kick)	BUF 21–17

Q3	BUF	Gardner 1 yard run (Christie kick)	BUF 28–17

Q4	MIA	Jackson 23 yard pass from Marino (pass failed)	BUF 28–23

Q4	BUF	Gardner 1 yard run (Christie kick)	BUF 35–23

Q4	BUF	Reed 83 yard pass from Kelly (Christie kick)	BUF 42–23

Q4	MIA	Miller 1 yard pass from Kosar (Parmalee run)	BUF 42–31

Buffalo Bills
Founded in 1960 Based and headquartered in Orchard Park, New York
Franchise	Franchise History All-time roster Seasons Pro Bowl selections First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks Coaches NFL in Toronto
Stadiums	War Memorial Stadium Highmark Stadium Rogers Centre (Bills Toronto Series) New Highmark Stadium (set to open in 2026)
Culture	Ralph Wilson Billy Buffalo Buffalo Jills Bills Mafia Ken "Pinto Ron" Johnson Tim Russert Buffalo '66 Second String Flutie Flakes "Shout" song "Mr. Brightside" "3 Acts of God" Elway to Marino Four Falls of Buffalo Zubaz "No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills!"
Lore	Electric Company Wide Right No Punt Game The Comeback Music City Miracle Snowvertime Hail Murray 13 Seconds 2024 AFC Championship Game
Rivalries	Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Tennessee Titans
Division championships (15)	1964 1965 1966 1980 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1995 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Conference championships (4)	1990 1991 1992 1993
League championships (2)	1964 1965
Wall of Fame	Simpson Kemp McGroder Sestak Shaw Wilson 12th Man Dubenion Stratton Ferguson Levy DeLamielleure James Abramoski Kalsu Saimes Kelly Smerlas Hull Talley Ritcher Thomas Reed Tasker Smith Edgerson Hansen Polian Miller Saban Gilchrist
Media	Broadcasters Radio Radio Network WGR 550 Television MSG Western New York Personalities: Chris Brown Van Miller Eric Wood Steve Tasker
Owners	Ralph Wilson Pegula family Terry Kim
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: East Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)
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