1996 Buffalo Bills season

{{main article|1996 NFL draft}}

{{NFL team draft start|year=1996|teamname=Buffalo Bills}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 1

| pick = 24

| player = Eric Moulds

| position = WR

| college = Mississippi State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 53

| player = Gabe Northern

| position = DE

| college = LSU

| notes = Pick from CHI

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 80

| player = Matt Stevens

| position = SS

| college = Appalachian State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 120

| player = Sean Moran

| position = DE

| college = Colorado State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

|-

|align=center

| round = 5

| pick = 156

| player = Ray Jackson

| position = DB

| college = Colorado State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 196

| player = Leon Neal

| position = RB

| college = TCU

| notes =

| maderoster =

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 237

| player = Dan Bradenburg

| position = DE

| college = Indiana State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 202

| player = Dusty Zeigler

| position = C

| college = Notre Dame

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 244

| player = Jay Riemersma

| position = TE

| college = Michigan

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 249

| player = Eric Smedley

| position = DB

| college = Indiana

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft end}}

Mississippi State wide receiver Eric Moulds went on to be the second-leading receiver in Bills history (behind only Andre Reed), with 675 catches for 9,096 yards. He was elected to three Pro Bowls, in 1998, 2000 and 2002.

{{NFL season roster

| year = 1996

| team = Buffalo Bills

| quarterbacks =

{{NFLplayer|15|Todd Collins|d=quarterback}}

{{NFLplayer|12|Jim Kelly}}

{{NFLplayer|10|Alex Van Pelt}}

| running_backs =

{{NFLplayer|45|Carey Bender}}

{{NFLplayer|29|Jason Bratton|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|44|Darick Holmes}}

{{NFLplayer|34|Thurman Thomas}}

{{NFLplayer|33|Tim Tindale|FB}}

| wide_receivers =

{{NFLplayer|82|Chris Brantley}}

{{NFLplayer|85|Russell Copeland|KR/PR}}

{{NFLplayer|88|Quinn Early}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Eric Moulds|rookie=y|KR}}

{{NFLplayer|83|Andre Reed}}

{{NFLplayer|89|Steve Tasker|WR}}

| tight_ends =

{{NFLplayer|86|Tony Cline|d3=Jr.}}

{{NFLplayer|87|Rob Coons}}

{{NFLplayer|49|Jay Riemersma|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|84|Lonnie Johnson|d=American football}}

| offensive_linemen =

{{NFLplayer|79|Ruben Brown|G}}

{{NFLplayer|70|John Fina|T}}

{{NFLplayer|67|Kent Hull|C}}

{{NFLplayer|72|Corey Louchiey|T}}

{{NFLplayer|60|Jerry Ostroski|T}}

{{NFLplayer|74|Glenn Parker|G}}

{{NFLplayer|61|Dusty Zeigler|rookie=y|C}}

| defensive_linemen =

{{NFLplayer|90|Phil Hansen|d=American football|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|77|Jim Jeffcoat|NT}}

{{NFLplayer|98|Sean Moran|rookie=y|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|94|Mark Pike|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|91|Shawn Price|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|78|Bruce Smith|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|92|Ted Washington|NT}}

| linebackers =

{{NFLplayer|96|Dan Brandenburg|OLB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|57|Damien Covington|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Mark Maddox|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|99|Gabe Northern|OLB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|95|Bryce Paup|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|58|Marlo Perry|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|59|Sam Rogers|d=linebacker|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|54|Chris Spielman|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|51|David White|d=American football|OLB}}

| defensive_back =

{{NFLplayer|22|Jeff Burris|CB/PR}}

{{NFLplayer|27|Ken Irvin|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|31|Raymond Jackson|d=American football|rookie=y|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|46|Marlon Kerner|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|21|Manny Martin|CB/S}}

{{NFLplayer|24|Kurt Schulz|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|40|Eric Smedley|rookie=y|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|28|Thomas Smith|d=cornerback|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|23|Matt Stevens|d=safety|rookie=y|SS}}

| special_teams =

{{NFLplayer|76|Ethan Albright|LS}}

{{NFLplayer| 2|Steve Christie|K}}

{{NFLplayer| 9|Chris Mohr|P}}

| reserve_lists =

{{NFLplayer|81|Justin Armour|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|52|John Holecek|LB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Henry Jones|d=American football|SS|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|68|Corbin Lacina|G|IR}}

| practice_squad =

{{NFLplayer|62|Dave Hack|G}}

{{NFLplayer|93|Jerold Jeffcoat|rookie=y|NT}}

{{NFLplayer|73|Mike Rockwood|T}}

53 active, 4 inactive, 3 practice squad

}}

==Regular season==

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=10 |V4=3 |VOT=3

|Host=Giants

|H1=3 |H2=14 |H3=3 |H4=0 |HOT=0

|Date=September 1

|Location=Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

|StartTime=8:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=74,218

|Weather={{Convert|72|F|C}} • {{Convert|9|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Gary Lane

|TVAnnouncers=Verne Lundquist, and Pat Haden

|TVStation=NFL on TNT

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry= yes|Quarter= 1|Time= |Team=NYG|Event=Brad Daluiso 22 yard field goal |Score= Giants 3–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=NYG |Event=Amani Toomer 87 yard punt return (Brad Daluiso kick) |Score= Giants 10–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=NYG |Event=Charles Way 37 yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick) |Score= Giants 17–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Thurman Thomas 1 yard run (Steve Christie kick) |Score= Giants 17–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=NYG |Event= Brad Daluiso 34 yard field goal |Score= Giants 20–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Steve Christie 28 yard field goal |Score=Giants 20–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Andre Reed 60 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick) |Score= Giants 20–17}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 4|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Steve Christie 39 yard field goal |Score= Tie 20–20}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= OT|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Steve Christie 34 yard field goal |Score= Bills 23–20|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609010nyg.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com], [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609010nyg.htm]

{{Clear}}

The Bills upended the Patriots 17–10. Quinn Early caught a 63-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for Buffalo, then the Bills stopped the Patriots inside their five-yard line in the final seconds.

The Bills' first Monday Night appearance ended in ugly fashion as the Steelers erupted to more rushing yards (222 with two touchdowns from ex-Ram Jerome Bettis) than the Bills had total yards of offense (185). Carnell Lake picked off Jim Kelly and ran back a 47-yard score, part of a 24–6 Steelers win.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=3 |V2=0 |V3=3 |V4=0

|Host=Steelers

|H1=7 |H2=17 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=September 16

|Location=Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

|StartTime=9:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=59,002

|Weather={{Convert|57|F|C}} • {{Convert|6|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Larry Nemmers

|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf, and Lynn Swann(on field reporting)

|TVStation=ABC Monday Night Football

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609160pit.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com], [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609160pit.htm]

{{Clear}}

The Bills hosted the defending Super Bowl champs who were 1–2 and fell to 1–3 as Buffalo rushed for 135 yards and a Thurman Thomas score while intercepting Troy Aikman three times; the last came in the final minute, and Aikman was tackled awkwardly by Bruce Smith, necessitating a Monday examination of his ankle. Jim Kelly was injured, as Todd Collins was the starting quarterback for Buffalo.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Cowboys

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=7

|Host=Bills

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=0

|Date=September 22

|Location=Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|StartTime=1:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=78,098

|Weather={{Convert|61|F|C}} • {{Convert|12|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Dale Hamer

|TVAnnouncers=Pat Summerall, John Madden

|TVStation=Fox NFL

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609220buf.htm|title = Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills - September 22nd, 1996|website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

{{Clear}}

Bye week

The Bills hosted the Colts, the league's last undefeated team. They clawed to a 10-3 lead in the second as Todd Collins (quarterback) threw his first NFL touchdown pass of his career. Marshall Faulk's touchdown in the fourth tied the game; an exchange of field goals put the game into overtime tied 13-13 where Steve Christie won it from 39 yards out.

{{Clear}}

Vegas Line: Buffalo Bills -3.5

{{Clear}}

Starting QBs: Indianapolis Colts: Jim Harbaugh / Buffalo Bills: Todd Collins (quarterback)

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Indianapolis Colts (4-0) at Buffalo Bills (3-1)

|Visitor=Colts

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=3 |V4=10 |VOT=0

|Host=Bills

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=3 |H4=3 |HOT=3

|Date=October 6, 1996

|Location=Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|StartTime=4:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=79,401

|Weather={{Convert|52|F|C}} • {{Convert|8|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Red Cashion

|TVAnnouncers=Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy

|TVStation=NFL on NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610060buf.htm|title = Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 6th, 1996|website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=IND|HomeName=BUF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=9:42

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=80

| DriveTime=5:01

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Andre Reed

| QB=Todd Collins (quarterback)

| yards=30

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=0

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=9:59

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=69

| DriveTime=1:05

| Type=FG

| yards=42

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| Visitor=0

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=7:16

| Team=Colts

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=50

| DriveTime=2:43

| Type=FG

| yards=44

| Kicker=Cary Blanchard

| Visitor=3

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=14:57

| Team=Colts

| DrivePlays=11

| DriveLength=81

| DriveTime=5:11

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Marshall Faulk

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cary Blanchard

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=10

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=8:25

| Team=Colts

| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=16

| DriveTime=2:39

| Type=FG

| yards=41

| Kicker=Cary Blanchard

| Visitor=13

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=0:15

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=11

| DriveLength=54

| DriveTime=1:46

| Type=FG

| yards=37

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| Visitor=13

| Home=13

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=OT

| Time=5:42

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=26

| DriveTime=4:20

| Type=FG

| yards=39

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| Visitor=13

| Home=16

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=13|Home=16}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610060buf.htm|title = Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 6th, 1996|website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

{{Clear}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = left

| Level = nfl

| Visitor = Indianapolis Colts 1984thru2001

| VisitorAltColors = y

| VisitorDisplay = Colts

| Home = Buffalo Bills 1974thru2001

| HomeDisplay = Bills

| VisPasser = Jim Harbaugh

| VisPassStats = 17/42, 203 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

| VisRusher = Marshall Faulk

| VisRushStats = 20 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD

| VisReceiver = Marvin Harrison

| VisReceivingStats = 5 receptions, 88 yards

| HomePasser = Todd Collins (quarterback)

| HomePassStats = 23/44, 309 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

| HomeRusher = Thurman Thomas

| HomeRushStats = 18 carries, 69 yards

| HomeReceiver = Thurman Thomas

| HomeReceivingStats = 8 receptions, 111 yards

}}

{{AmFootballGameStatistics

| Float = right

| Level = nfl

| Visitor = Indianapolis Colts 1984thru2001

| VisitorAltColors = y

| VisitorDisplay = Colts

| Home = Buffalo Bills 1974thru2001

| HomeDisplay = Bills

| VisFirsts = 16

| VisPlaysYds = 72-249

| VisRushing = 30-86

| VisPassYds = 163

| VisPassing = 17-42-0

| VisTOP = 34:32

| HomeFirsts = 20

| HomePlaysYds = 78-412

| HomeRushing = 34-113

| HomePassYds = 299

| HomePassing = 23-44-0

| HomeTOP = 34:50

}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610060buf.htm|title = Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 6th, 1996|website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

{{Clear}}

Craig Erickson started for Dan Marino and the Dolphins led 14–7 late in the fourth on scores by Irving Spikes and Karim Abdul-Jabbar. Kelly completed a deep pass to Andre Reed and Reed was stopped at the 1-yard line by Terrell Buckley; the Dolphins held the Bills on the first three downs and Kelly was flagged for intentional grounding, forcing 4th and goal from the 11; Kelly's pass was picked off by Buckley at the 9 and Buckley ran back a 91-yard score. Reacting to fan booing after the 21–7 loss, a disconsolate Kelly said, "We deserved to be booed."

The Bills traveled to face the 0–7 New York Jets and kicker Steve Christie had a major workload as he booted five field goals to support a Darick Holmes score and to offset three touchdowns by ex-Bill Frank Reich (two to Keyshawn Johnson, one to Wayne Chrebet) and a two-point conversion to Kyle Brady. Christie's sixth field goal finished off a 25–22 Bills win.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Buffalo Bills (4-2) at New York Jets (0-7)

|Visitor=Bills

|V1= 3|V2=3 |V3=3 |V4=16

|Host=Jets

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=8 |H4=7

|Date=October 20

|Location=Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

|StartTime=4:00 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=49,775

|Weather={{Convert|55|F|C}} • {{Convert|10|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Walt Coleman

|TVAnnouncers=Charlie Jones (sportscaster), and Randy Cross

|TVStation=NFL on NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610200nyj.htm|title = Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - October 20th, 1996|website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

{{Clear}}

On Sunday Night the Bills traveled to Foxboro Stadium and the ensuing game left them tied with the Patriots and Colts for the AFC East lead at 5–3. After trailing 13–0 the Bills clawed back despite a safety given up on an endzone penalty against Jim Kelly; the Bills led 18–15 in the fourth. With 1:25 to go Curtis Martin scored but Adam Vinatieri missed the PAT. Kelly was then intercepted by Willie McGinest and McGinest ran back a 46-yard score, but the Bills on a 48-yard score to Andre Reed pulled to within 28–25 with 30 seconds left; the ensuing onside kick was recovered by ex-Dolphin recently signed by the Patriots Keith Byars.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=10 |V4=15

|Host=Patriots

|H1=7 |H2=6 |H3=2 |H4=13

|Date=October 27

|Location=Foxboro Stadium - Foxborough, Massachusetts

|StartTime=8:00 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=58,858

|Weather={{Convert|54|F|C}} • {{Convert|8|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Dick Hantak

|TVAnnouncers=Verne Lundquist, and Pat Haden

|TVStation=NFL on TNT

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

The Bills hosted the Washington Redskins and Darick Holmes had the game of his career as the Bills rushed for 266 yards (outgaining the entirety of the Skins offense by 28 yards) and five scores, four of them by Holmes. The Bills reached 6–3 with the 38–13 win while the Skins' seven-game winning streak crashed to a halt.

The Bills finished the NFC East portion of their schedule by upending the Eagles 24–17, thus sweeping the NFC East 4-0. Despite being outgained in total yards (385 to 252) the Bills forced two Eagles fumbles and also scored on a blocked punt.

Starting QBs: BUF=Jim Kelly vs PHI=Ty Detmer

{{Clear}}

Head Coach: BUF=Marv Levy vs PHI=Ray Rhodes

{{Clear}}

Vegas Line= Philadelphia Eagles -3.5

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Buffalo Bills (6-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=7 |V2=10 |V3=7 |V4=0

|Host=Eagles

|H1=10 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=November 10, 1996

|Location=Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

|StartTime=1:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=66,613

|Weather={{Convert|42|F|C}} • {{Convert|12|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Johnny Grier

|TVAnnouncers=Charlie Jones (sportscaster) and Randy Cross

|TVStation=NFL on NBC

|Reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199611100phi.htm]

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=BUF|HomeName=PHI|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=10:22

| Team=Eagles

| DrivePlays=7

| DriveLength=74

| DriveTime=3:16

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Kevin Turner (running back)

| QB=Ty Detmer

| yards=23

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Gary Anderson (placekicker)

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=0

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=8:31

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=1

| DriveLength=18

| DriveTime=0:07

| Type=Other

| Other=Tom Hutton (American football) punt blocked by Gabe Northern 18 yard TD return (Steve Christie kick)

| Visitor=7

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=1:20

| Team=Eagles

| DrivePlays=15

| DriveLength=70

| DriveTime=7:11

| Type=FG

| yards=23

| Kicker=Gary Anderson (placekicker)

| Visitor=7

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=2:23

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=16

| DriveLength=64

| DriveTime=7:31

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Thurman Thomas

| yards=5

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=14

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:36

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=47

| DriveTime=1:06

| Type=FG

| yards=38

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| Visitor=17

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=1:16

| Team=Bills

| DrivePlays=15

| DriveLength=74

| DriveTime=6:44

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Quinn Early

| QB=Jim Kelly

| yards=5

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Steve Christie

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=24

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=10:27

| Team=Eagles

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=67

| DriveTime=5:26

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Irving Fryar

| QB=Ty Detmer

| yards=10

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=24

| Home=17

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=24|Home=17}}

{{Clear}}

The 4-6 Bengals came to Rich Stadium on a three-game winning streak after the firing of David Shula and promotion of Bruce Coslet to head coach. The Bills didn't care as they rushed for 134 yards and touchdowns from Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas; the Bills led 31-7 in the fourth as the Bengals scored ten points, but could get no further as Buffalo won 31-17.

The Bills hosted the 1–11 Jets and erupted to a 28–3 lead by the fourth quarter; after a Frank Reich touchdown to Jeff Graham the Bills scored again on Eric Moulds' 97-yard kickoff return. The 35–10 win left the Bills at 9–3 entering a three-game road trip.

Starting a three-game road trip, the Bills traveled to Indianapolis where despite 307 yards of offense fell to the Colts 13-10 in overtime. Todd Collins started and was intercepted twice as the Colts forced overtime and won on Cary Blanchard's 49-yard field goal. The Colts started backup QB Paul Justin for this game as well.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=0 |V2=10 |V3=0 |V4=0 |VOT=0

|Host=Colts

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=3 |HOT=3

|Date=December 1

|Location=RCA Dome - Indianapolis, Indiana

|StartTime=1:00 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=53,804

|Weather=DOME

|Referee=Jerry Markbreit

|TVAnnouncers=Marv Albert, and Sam Wyche

|TVStation=NFL on NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

The Bills traveled to the Kingdome where Seahawks kicker Todd Peterson booted four field goals while Kelly and Todd Collins combined for two touchdowns and three interceptions. Buffalo's five turnovers were key as Rick Mirer won 26-18 despite only nine completions of 23 attempts.

On Monday Night Football Buffalo's three-game road trip came up empty as the Bills fell to the Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium. Joe Nedney booted three field goals and Dan Marino had one touchdown. Jim Kelly had two scores but was picked off once. I was the first time the Bills had been swept by the Dolphins since 1986.

The Bills hosted the Chiefs with both teams needing the win to make the playoffs. Steve Bono was harassed all game long and held to just 138 yards with two picks. Jim Kelly rallied the Bills from down 9-6 with two touchdowns. The 20-9 win put the Bills into the playoffs as the AFC Wildcard home team while the Chiefs failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in the decade; it was Kansas City's fourth loss in the last five meetings with Buffalo.

The first-ever playoff game for the second-year Jaguars saw the game lead tie or change nine times. Natrone Means rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown while Mark Brunell threw for 239 yards, a score, and two interceptions; in the fourth Jeff Burris ran back a 38-yard score off a Brunell pick. The Jaguars rallied with two fourth-quarter scoring drives ending in a 45-yard field goal from future Bills kicker Mike Hollis. The game turned out to be the last home playoff game for the Bills until the 2020 season and the last home playoff game loss for the Bills until the 2022 season.

{{1996 AFC East standings}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Buffalo Bills}}

{{Buffalo Bills seasons}}

{{1996 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1996 Buffalo Bills Season}}

Category:Buffalo Bills seasons

Buffalo Bills

Buff