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1987 Buffalo Bills season

28th season in franchise history

28th season in franchise history

FieldValue
teamBuffalo Bills
year1987
record7–8
division_place4th AFC East
coachMarv Levy
general managerBill Polian
ownerRalph Wilson
stadiumRich Stadium
playoffs*Did not qualify*
pro_bowlers**QB** Jim Kelly
**DE** Bruce Smith
AP All-pros**DE** Bruce Smith (1st team)
**ST** Steve Tasker (1st team)
**LB** Shane Conlan (2nd team)
shortnavlinkBills seasons

DE Bruce Smith | AP All-pros = DE Bruce Smith (1st team) ST Steve Tasker (1st team) LB Shane Conlan (2nd team)

The 1987 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League, and 28th overall.

On October 31, 1987, the Los Angeles Rams traded Eric Dickerson to the Indianapolis Colts in a three team trade involving the Bills. The Rams sent Dickerson to the Colts for six draft choices and two players. Buffalo obtained the rights to Cornelius Bennett from Indianapolis. Buffalo sent running back Greg Bell and three draft choices to the Rams, while Indianapolis added Owen Gill and three of their own draft picks to complete the deal with the Rams. Adding Bennett to the team helped to form the nucleus for a strong young defensive unit that would become the core of Buffalo's later Super Bowl teams.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1987 NFL draft

Buffalo's first two draft picks—linebacker Shane Conlan and defensive back Nate Odomes—would later go on to make to have a great deal of impact on Buffalo's defense. Conlan was named 1987 Defensive Rookie of the Year and would be selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls in the 1988, 1989 and 1990 seasons. Odomes would be selected to consecutive Pro Bowls in 1992 and 1993.

Another impactful rookie, Cornelius Bennett, was drafted by Indianapolis in 1987, before being traded to Buffalo.

Personnel

Staff

  • President – Ralph Wilson

  • Vice president of administration/general manager – Bill Polian

  • Vice president of football operations – Marv Levy

  • Director of college scouting – John Butler

  • Director of pro personnel – Bob Ferguson

  • National scout – Norm Pollom

  • College scout – A. J. Smith

  • Administrative assistant to the head coach – Chuck Dickerson

  • Head coach – Marv Levy

  • Offensive coordinator/offensive line – Jim Ringo

  • Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator – Ted Marchibroda

  • Running backs – Elijah Pitts

  • Receivers – Ted Tollner

  • Tight ends – Chuck Dickerson

  • Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Walt Corey

  • Defensive line – Ted Cottrell

  • Defensive backs – Dick Roach

  • Defensive assistant – Chuck Lester

  • Special teams – Bruce DeHaven

  • Strength and conditioning coordinator – Rusty Jones

NFL replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}};"1987 Buffalo Bills replacement roster

Roster

  • Joe Howard WR (IR) [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|10px]]

Regular season

Cornerback Nate Odomes was the youngest starting defensive player in the NFL. It was also his rookie season.

Schedule

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"WeekBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"DateBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"OpponentBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"ResultBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"RecordBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"Attendance12–September 27at [Dallas Cowboys](1987-dallas-cowboys-season)canceled3456789101112131415Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.
September 13**[New York Jets](1987-new-york-jets-season)****L** 31–280–176,718
September 20[Houston Oilers](1987-houston-oilers-season)**W** 34–301–156,534
October 4**[Indianapolis Colts](1987-indianapolis-colts-season)****L** 47–61–29,860
October 11at **[New England Patriots](1987-new-england-patriots-season)****L** 14–71–311,878
October 18[New York Giants](1987-new-york-giants-season)**W** 6–32–315,737
October 25at **[Miami Dolphins](1987-miami-dolphins-season)****W** 34–31 OT3–361,295
November 1[Washington Redskins](1987-washington-redskins-season)**L** 27–73–471,640
November 8[Denver Broncos](1987-denver-broncos-season)**W** 21–144–463,698
November 15at [Cleveland Browns](1987-cleveland-browns-season)**L** 27–214–578,409
November 22at **[New York Jets](1987-new-york-jets-season)****W** 17–145–558,407
November 29**[Miami Dolphins](1987-miami-dolphins-season)****W** 27–06–568,055
December 6at [Los Angeles Raiders](1987-los-angeles-raiders-season)**L** 34–216–643,143
December 13at **[Indianapolis Colts](1987-indianapolis-colts-season)****W** 27–37–660,253
December 20**[New England Patriots](1987-new-england-patriots-season)****L** 13–77–774,945
December 27at [Philadelphia Eagles](1987-philadelphia-eagles-season)**L** 17–77–857,547

Game summaries

Week 2

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

First quarter

  • No scoring Second quarter
  • BUF – Andre Reed 9 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 7–0
  • BUF – Safety, Robb Riddick blocked punt through end zone. Bills 9–0
  • BUF – Robb Riddick 1 yard rush (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 16–0
  • BUF – Safety, Steve Tasker blocked punt through end zone. Bills 18–0 Third quarter
  • BUF – Scott Norwood 30-yard field goal. Bills 21–0.
  • DEN – Sammy Winder 6 yard rush (Rich Karlis kick). Bills 21–7. Fourth quarter
  • DEN – Vance Johnson 15 yard pass from John Elway (Rich Karlis kick). Bills 21–14. ;Top passers
  • DEN – John Elway – 13/30, 163 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD
  • BUF – Jim Kelly – 14/23, 135 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD ;Top rushers
  • DEN – Sammy Winder – 12 rushes, 40 yards, 1 TD
  • BUF – Robb Riddick – 19 rushes, 78 yards, 1 TD ;Top receivers
  • DEN – Vance Johnson – 5 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD
  • BUF – Andre Reed – 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
  • Cornelius Bennett’s first game as a Buffalo Bill, wearing #55.
  • Steve Tasker blocked punt just before halftime resulting in a safety and 18–0 halftime score.

Week 9

Week 11 vs Dolphins

First quarter

  • No scoring Second quarter
  • BUF – Jamie Mueller 5-yard run (Scott Norwood kick), 14:51. Bills 7–0.
  • BUF – Butch Rolle 3-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick), 5:58. Bills 14–0.
  • BUF – Chris Burkett 22-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick), 1:02. Bills 21–0. Third quarter
  • BUF – Scott Norwood 39-yard field goal, 10:01. Bills 24–0. Fourth quarter
  • BUF – Scott Norwood 28-yard field goal, 7:52. Bils 27–0. ;Top passers
  • MIA – Dan Marino – 13/28, 165 yards, 3 INT
  • BUF – Jim Kelly – 15/21, 217 yards, 2 TD ;Top rushers
  • MIA – Troy Stradford – 15 rushes, 23 yards
  • BUF – Ronnie Harmon – 23 rushes, 119 yards ;Top receivers
  • MIA – Ron Davenport – 3 receptions, 41 yards
  • BUF – Andre Reed – 4 receptions, 96 yards

Week 12

Week 15

Standings

Player stats

Passing

Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PlayerBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"GamesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"CompBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"AttBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"YardsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"TDBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"INTBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"Rating
Jim Kelly122504192798191183.8
John Kidd120100039.6
Dan Manucci372168023.8
Brian McClure120381810332.9
Mark Miller1139012.8
Robb Riddick6113500118.7
Willie Totten213331552249.4

Rushing

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PlayerBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"GamesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"AttemptsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"YardsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"AvgBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"TD
Ronnie Harmon121164852
Jamie Mueller12823542
Carl Byrum13662800
Robb Riddick6592215
Ricky Porter9471770
Jim Kelly12291330

Receiving

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PlayerBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"GamesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"NumberBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"YardsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"AvgBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"TD
Chris Burkett125676513.74
Andre Reed125775213.25
Ronnie Harmon12564778.52
Pete Metzelaars122829010.40
Trumaine Johnson121518612.42

Defense

Note: FR = Fumble Recoveries; TCKL = Tackles; INT = Interceptions; TD = Touchdowns

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PlayerBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"GamesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"SacksBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"Forced FumblesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"FRBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"TcklBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"INTBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"YardsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"TD
Shane Conlan120.510114000
Bruce Smith1212.0302000

Special teams

Note: FGA = Field Goals Attempted; FGM = Field Goals Made; FG% = Field goal percentage; XPA = Extra Points Attempted; XPM = Extra Points Made; XP% = Extra points percentage

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PlayerBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"GamesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"FGABuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"FGMBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"FG %Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"XPABuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"XPMBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"XP %
Scott Norwood12151066.73131100
Todd Schlopy352402150

Punting

Buffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PlayerBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"GamesBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"PuntsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"YardsBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"LongBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"BlockedBuffalo Billsyear=1987border=2}}"Avg. yards
John Kidd1264249567039.0
Rick Partridge31867852137.7

Awards and honors

Defensive Rookie of the Year

  • Shane Conlan

Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player

  • Bruce Smith

References

References

  1. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p.286
  2. "1987 Buffalo Bills draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. "1987 Buffalo Bills Media Guide".
  4. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198709200buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
  5. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198710250mia.htm]. Retrieved 2021-Jul-19.
  6. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711010buf.htm]. Retrieved 2021-Jun-05.
  7. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711080buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2022-Feb-19.
  8. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711150cle.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
  9. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198712270phi.htm Pro-Football-Reference]. Retrieved 2022-Mar-23.
  10. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1987.htm 1987 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players – Pro-Football-Reference.com]
  11. "NFL Rookie of the Year".
Info: Wikipedia Source

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