1987 Buffalo Bills season


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

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; he would be selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls, from the 1988–1990 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

NFL replacement players

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

Roster

Regular season

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

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1

Week 2

Standings

Player stats

Passing

Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions
PlayerGamesCompAttYardsTDINTRating
Jim Kelly122504192798191183.8
John Kidd120100039.6
Dan Manucci372168023.8
Brian McClure120381810332.9
Mark Miller1139012.8
Robb Riddick6113500118.7
Willie Totten213331552249.4

Rushing

Receiving

Defense

Note: FR = Fumble Recoveries; TCKL = Tackles; INT = Interceptions; TD = Touchdowns
PlayerGamesSacksForced FumblesFRTcklINTYardsTD
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
PlayerGamesFGAFGMFG %XPAXPMXP %
Scott Norwood12151066.73131100
Todd Schlopy352402150

PlayerGamesPuntsYardsLongBlockedAvg. yards
John Kidd1264249567039.0
Rick Partridge31867852137.7

Awards and honors

Defensive Rookie of the Year
AFC Pro Bowl selections
Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player
First Team
Second Team