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| stadium = [[Rich Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Rich Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| pro_bowlers = '''G''' [[Joe DeLamielleure]]
| AP All-pros = '''G''' [[Joe DeLamielleure]] <small>(2nd team)</small>
| shortnavlink = Bills seasons
| shortnavlink = Bills seasons
}}
}}
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The '''1978 Buffalo Bills season''' was the franchise's 9th season in the [[National Football League]], and the 19th overall. The Bills were [[1977 Buffalo Bills season|coming off a season]] in which they only won three games, making 1978 a slight improvement.
The '''1978 Buffalo Bills season''' was the franchise's 9th season in the [[National Football League]], and the 19th overall. The Bills were [[1977 Buffalo Bills season|coming off a season]] in which they only won three games, making 1978 a slight improvement.


Head coach [[Chuck Knox]] began his first season with the team, having coached the [[Los Angeles Rams]] for the previous five seasons.<ref>Knox would coach the Bills for five seasons – through the [[1982 Buffalo Bills season|1982 season]] – before leaving for [[1983 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle]].</ref> It was also Buffalo's first season after the departure of star [[running back]] [[O.J. Simpson]], who was traded to the [[1978 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco]] for five draft picks in the offseason.
Head coach [[Chuck Knox]] began his first season with the team, having [[list of Los Angeles Rams head coaches|coached the Los Angeles Rams]] for the previous five seasons.<ref group="note">Knox would coach the Bills for five seasons – through [[1982 Buffalo Bills season|the 1982 season]] – before leaving for [[1983 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle]].</ref> It was also Buffalo's first season after the departure of star [[running back]] [[O. J. Simpson]], who was traded to [[1978 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco]] for five draft picks in the offseason.


The Bills offense acquired a pair of weapons for quarterback [[Joe Ferguson]]: wide receiver [[Frank Lewis (American football)|Frank Lewis]], who had spent the previous 7 seasons in [[Pittsburgh Steelers|Pittsburgh]], and rookie running back [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]], who ended the season with over 1,000 yards.<ref>Miller's 1,060 yards would be the only 1,000-yard total of his three year career in Buffalo.</ref>
The Bills offense acquired a pair of weapons for quarterback [[Joe Ferguson]]: wide receiver [[Frank Lewis (American football)|Frank Lewis]], who had spent the previous 7 seasons in [[Pittsburgh Steelers|Pittsburgh]], and rookie running back [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]], who ended the season with over 1,000 yards.<ref group="note">Miller's 1,060 yards would be the only 1,000-yard total of his three year career in Buffalo.</ref>


The 1978 Bills' run defense allowed an [[List of National Football League records (team)#Rushing|NFL record]] 3,228 rushing yards; the 677 rushing attempts the Bills faced in 1978 is also an NFL record.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/VRzMX Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending opp Rushing Att]</ref> Oddly, the Bills were first in the league in yards allowed on pass defense, giving up only 1,960 yards through the air.<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1978/opp.htm 1978 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics]</ref>
The 1978 Bills' run defense allowed an [[List of National Football League records (team)#Rushing|NFL record]] 3,228 rushing yards; the 677 rushing attempts the Bills faced in 1978 is also an NFL record.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/VRzMX Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending opp Rushing Att]</ref> Oddly, the Bills were first in the league in yards allowed on pass defense, giving up only 1,960 yards through the air.<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1978/opp.htm 1978 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics]</ref>

Buffalo's week eight victory over the [[1978 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] produced the second 5-0 final score in modern NFL history (since {{nfly|1933}}); the other was a {{nfly|1970}} NFC divisional playoff between the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[Detroit Lions]].


== Offseason ==
== Offseason ==


=== Draft ===
=== Draft ===
{{main article|1978 NFL Draft}}
{{main article|1978 NFL draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
{{NFL team draft start
| year = 1978
| year = 1978
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| player = [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]]
| player = [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]]
| position = [[Running back]]
| position = [[Running back]]
| college = [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]]
| college = [[1977 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team|Oklahoma State]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 43: Line 47:
| player = [[Dee Hardison]]
| player = [[Dee Hardison]]
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| college = [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]]
| college = [[1977 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 52: Line 56:
| player = [[Scott Hutchinson (American football)|Scott Hutchinson]]
| player = [[Scott Hutchinson (American football)|Scott Hutchinson]]
| position = Defensive end
| position = Defensive end
| college = [[Florida Gators football|Florida]]
| college = [[1977 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 61: Line 65:
| player = [[Dennis Johnson (fullback)|Dennis Johnson]]
| player = [[Dennis Johnson (fullback)|Dennis Johnson]]
| position = Running back
| position = Running back
| college = [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]]
| college = [[1977 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|Mississippi State]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 68: Line 72:
| round = 3
| round = 3
| pick = 65
| pick = 65
| player = Danny Fulton
| player = [[Danny Fulton]]
| position = [[Wide receiver]]
| position = [[Wide receiver]]
| college = [[Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks|Nebraska–Omaha]]
| college = [[Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks|Nebraska–Omaha]]
Line 79: Line 83:
| player = [[Lucius Sanford]]
| player = [[Lucius Sanford]]
| position = [[Linebacker]]
| position = [[Linebacker]]
| college = [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]
| college = [[1977 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team|Georgia Tech]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 88: Line 92:
| player = Ken Spaeth
| player = Ken Spaeth
| position = [[Tight end]]
| position = [[Tight end]]
| college = [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]
| college = [[1977 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]]
| notes =
| notes =
}}
}}
Line 96: Line 100:
| player = Eric Smith
| player = Eric Smith
| position = [[Offensive tackle]]
| position = [[Offensive tackle]]
| college = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles football|Southern Miss]]
| college = [[1977 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team|Southern Miss]]
| notes =
| notes =
}}
}}
Line 104: Line 108:
| player = [[Mario Celotto]]
| player = [[Mario Celotto]]
| position = Linebacker
| position = Linebacker
| college = [[USC Trojans football|USC]]
| college = [[1977 USC Trojans football team|USC]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 121: Line 125:
| pick = 255
| pick = 255
| player = [[Will Grant]]
| player = [[Will Grant]]
| position = [[Center (American and Canadian football)|Center]]
| position = [[Center (gridiron football)|Center]]
| college = [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]]
| college = [[1977 Kentucky Wildcats football team|Kentucky]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 131: Line 135:
| player = [[Jerry Blanton]]
| player = [[Jerry Blanton]]
| position = Linebacker
| position = Linebacker
| college = [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]]
| college = [[1977 Kentucky Wildcats football team|Kentucky]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
Line 137: Line 141:
{{NFL team draft entry
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 12
| round = 12
| pick = 308
| pick = 309
| player = [[Richard Crump]]
| player = [[Richard Crump]]
| position = Running back
| position = Running back
| college = [[Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College|NE Oklahoma A&M]]
| college = [[Northeast Oklahoma A&M Aggies|Northeast Oklahoma A&M]]
| notes =
| notes =
}}
}}
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== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==


=== Staff/Coaches ===
=== Staff/coaches ===
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;border:2px solid black;"
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;border:2px solid black;"
|-
|-
! colspan="7" style="background-color: #00338D; color: #FFFFFF; border:2px solid #C60C30; text-align: center;"| '''1978 Buffalo Bills staff'''
! colspan="7" style="background-color: #00338D; color: #FFFFFF; border:2px solid #C60C30; text-align: center;"| '''1978 Buffalo Bills staff'''
|-
|-
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Front Office'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Front office'''
* Majority Owner/Team President – [[Ralph Wilson]]
* Majority owner/team president – [[Ralph Wilson]]
* Vice President & General Manager – [[Bob Lustig]]
* Vice-president & general manager – [[Bob Lustig]]
* Vice President/Minority Owner – [[Pat McGroder]]
* Vice-president/minority owner – [[Pat McGroder]]
'''Coaching Staff'''
'''Coaching staff'''
* Head Coach – [[Chuck Knox]]
* Head coach – [[Chuck Knox]]


'''Offensive Coaches'''
'''Offensive coaches'''
* Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line - [[Ray Proschaska]]
* Offensive coordinator / offensive line – [[Ray Proschaska]]
* Running Backs Coach – [[Elijah Pitts]]
* Running backs coach – [[Elijah Pitts]]
* Wide Receivers Coach - [[Jack Donaldson (American football)|Jack Donaldson]]
* Wide receivers coach – [[Jack Donaldson (American football)|Jack Donaldson]]


'''Defensive/Special Teams Coaches'''
'''Defensive/special teams coaches'''
* Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach - [[Tom Caitlin]]
* Defensive coordinator / linebackers coach - [[Tom Caitlin]]
* Defensive Line – [[Willie Zapalac]]
* Defensive line – [[Willie Zapalac]]
* Defensive Backs – [[Jim Wagstaff]]
* Defensive backs – [[Jim Wagstaff]]
* Special Teams - Steve Moore & Elijah Pitts
* Special teams – Steve Moore & Elijah Pitts
|}
|}


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{{NFL season roster
{{NFL season roster
| year = 1978
| year = 1978
| team = Buffalo Bills
| team = Buffalo Bills


| quarterbacks =
| quarterbacks =
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| running_backs =
| running_backs =
{{NFLplayer|47|Curtis Brown|d=running back, born 1954|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|47|Curtis Brown|d=running back, born 1954|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Mike Collier}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Roland Hooks}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Roland Hooks}}
{{NFLplayer|40|Terry Miller|d=running back|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|40|Terry Miller|d=running back|rookie=y}}
Line 195: Line 198:
{{NFLplayer|89|Lou Piccone}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Lou Piccone}}
{{NFLplayer|49|Larry Walton}}
{{NFLplayer|49|Larry Walton}}
{{NFLplayer|86|Leonard Willis}}


| tight_ends =
| tight_ends =
Line 203: Line 205:


| offensive_linemen =
| offensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|60|Bill Adams|d=American football|G}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Bill Adams|d=offensive lineman|G}}
{{NFLplayer|68|Joe DeLamielleure|G}}
{{NFLplayer|68|Joe DeLamielleure|G}}
{{NFLplayer|70|Joe Devlin|d=American football|T}}
{{NFLplayer|70|Joe Devlin|d=American football|T}}
Line 230: Line 232:
{{NFLplayer|57|Lucius Sanford|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|57|Lucius Sanford|rookie=y}}


| defensive_backs =
| defensive_back =
{{NFLplayer|29|Mario Clark|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Mario Clark|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Steve Freeman|d=football|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Steve Freeman|d=football|SS}}
Line 245: Line 247:


| reserve_lists =
| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|--|Mario Celotto|rookie=y|LB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Mike Collier|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|--|Eric Smith|d=offensive lineman, born 1956|rookie=y|T|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|86|Leonard Willis|WR|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|--|Willie Zackery|rookie=y|WR|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|--|Connie Zelencik|C|IR}}


| practice_squad =
| practice_squad =
Line 252: Line 260:


=== Schedule ===
=== Schedule ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Record
! Attendance
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Venue
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Attendance
| 1
|-style="background:#fcc"
| September 3, 1978
! 1
| September 3
| [[1978 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| [[1978 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| L 28–17
| '''L''' 17–28
| 0–1
| <div style="text-align: center;">64,147</div>
| [[Rich Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 2
| 64,147
|-style="background:#fcc"
| September 10, 1978
! 2
| [[1978 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]
| September 10
| L 21–20
| '''[[1978 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]'''
| <div style="text-align: center;">40,985</div>
| '''L''' 20–21
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 3
| 0–2
| Rich Stadium
| September 17, 1978
| 40,985
| at [[1978 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 31–24
! 3
| <div style="text-align: center;">48,373</div>
| September 17
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| at '''[[1978 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]'''
| 4
| '''L''' 24–31
| September 24, 1978
| 0–3
| [[1978 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]
| [[Miami Orange Bowl]]
| W 24–17
| 48,373
| <div style="text-align: center;">55,270</div>
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background:#cfc"
| 5
! 4
| September 24
| October 1, 1978
| '''[[1978 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]'''
| '''W''' 24–17
| 1–3
| Rich Stadium
| 55,270
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 5
| October 1
| [[1978 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]
| [[1978 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]
| W 28–13
| '''W''' 28–13
| 2–3
| <div style="text-align: center;">47,310</div>
| Rich Stadium
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 6
| 47,310
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 8, 1978
! 6
| at New York Jets
| October 8
| L 45–14
| at '''[[1978 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]'''
| <div style="text-align: center;">44,545</div>
| '''L''' 14–45
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 7
| 2–4
| [[Shea Stadium]]
| October 15, 1978
| 44,545
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 7
| October 15
| at [[1978 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]
| at [[1978 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]
| L 17–10
| '''L''' 10–17
| 2–5
| <div style="text-align: center;">47,727</div>
| [[Astrodome]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 8
| 47,727
|-style="background:#cfc"
| October 22, 1978
! 8
| October 22
| [[1978 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]
| [[1978 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]
| W 5–0
| '''W''' 5–0
| 3–5
| <div style="text-align: center;">47,754</div>
| Rich Stadium
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 9
| 47,754
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 29, 1978
! 9
| October 29
| at [[1978 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]
| at [[1978 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]
| L 41–20
| '''L''' 20–41
| 3–6
| <div style="text-align: center;">51,409</div>
| [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 10
| 51,409
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 5, 1978
! 10
| [[1978 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]
| November 5
| L 14–10
| '''[[1978 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]'''
| <div style="text-align: center;">44,897</div>
| '''L''' 10–14
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 11
| 3–7
| Rich Stadium
| November 12, 1978
| 44,897
| Miami Dolphins
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 25–24
! 11
| <div style="text-align: center;">48,623</div>
| November 12
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| '''[[1978 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]'''
| 12
| '''L''' 24–25
| November 19, 1978
| 3–8
| Rich Stadium
| 48,623
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 12
| November 19
| at [[1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
| at [[1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
| L 31–10
| '''L''' 10–31
| 3–9
| <div style="text-align: center;">61,383</div>
| [[Tampa Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 13
| 61,383
|-style="background:#cfc"
| November 26, 1978
! 13
| November 26
| [[1978 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]
| [[1978 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]
| W 41–17
| '''W''' 41–17
| 4–9
| <div style="text-align: center;">28,496</div>
| Rich Stadium
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 14
| 28,496
|-style="background:#fcc"
| December 3, 1978
! 14
| at Kansas City Chiefs
| December 3
| L 14–10
| at [[1978 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]
| <div style="text-align: center;">25,781</div>
| '''L''' 10–14
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 15
| 4–10
| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]
| December 10, 1978
| 25,781
| at New England Patriots
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 26–24
! 15
| <div style="text-align: center;">59,598</div>
| December 10
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| at '''[[1978 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]'''
| 16
| '''L''' 24–26
| December 17, 1978
| 4–11
| at Baltimore Colts
| [[Foxboro Stadium|Schaefer Stadium]]
| W 21–14
| 59,598
| <div style="text-align: center;">25,415</div>
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 16
| December 17
| at '''[[1978 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]'''
| '''W''' 21–14
| 5–11
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| 25,415
|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"
|colspan="8"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}


Line 360: Line 404:


====Week 1====
====Week 1====

{{AFB game box start
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Title=
|Visitor=Steelers
|Visitor=Steelers
|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=0
|V1=0 |V2=14 |V3=0 |V4=14
|Host=Bills
|Host=Bills
|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=20 |H4=0
|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=17
|Date=
|Date=September 3, 1978
|Location=[[Rich Stadium]] • [[Orchard Park, NY]]
|Location=
|StartTime=
|StartTime=1:00 PM
|TimeZone=EST
|TimeZone=EST
|ElapsedTime=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Attendance=64,147
|Weather={{Convert|50|F|C}} • {{Convert|20|mph|km/h knot}}
|Weather={{convert|67|°F|°C|1|disp=or}} • {{Convert|13|mph|km/h knot}}
|Referee=
|Referee=[[Fred Silva]]
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVAnnouncers=[[Jay Randolph]] and [[Mike Haffner]]
|TVStation=
|TVStation=[[NFL on NBC|NBC]]
}}
}}


Line 398: Line 441:
|ElapsedTime=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Attendance=
|Weather=56&nbsp;°F; wind 11
|Weather={{convert|56|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}; wind {{convert|11|mph|km/h knot}}
|Referee=
|Referee=[[Cal Lepore]]
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
|TVStation=
Line 416: Line 459:
{{-}}
{{-}}


===Week 13===
====Week 5====
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Week Five: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills&nbsp;– Game summary
|date=October 1
|time=1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CST
|road=Chiefs
|R1=6|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7
|home='''Bills'''
|H1=0|H2=21|H3=7|H4=0
|stadium=[[Rich Stadium]], [[Orchard Park, New York]]
|attendance=47,310
|weather={{Convert|60|F|C}}
|referee=[[Gordon McCarter]]
|TV=NBC
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197810010buf.htm Box score]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*KC – [[Jan Stenerud]] 42-yard field goal. ''Chiefs 3–0.''
*KC – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal. ''Chiefs 6–0.''
'''Second quarter'''
*BUF – [[Bob Chandler]] 20-yard pass from [[Joe Ferguson]] ([[Tom Dempsey]] kick). ''Bills 7–6.''
*BUF – [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]] 8-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Bills 14–6.''
*BUF – Bob Chandler 22-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Bills 21–6.''
'''Third quarter'''
*BUF – [[Curtis Brown (running back, born 1954)|Curtis Brown]] 22-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Bills 28–6.''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*KC – [[Ted McKnight]] 41-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). ''Bills 28–13.''
|stats=
;Top passers
*KC – [[Tony Adams (quarterback)|Tony Adams]] – 7/12, 80 yards
*BUF – [[Joe Ferguson]] – 15/18, 210 yards, 2 TD, INT
;Top rushers
*KC – [[MacArthur Lane]] – 17 rushes, 144 yards
*BUF – [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]] – 18 rushes, 67 yards, TD
;Top receivers
*KC – [[Walter White (American football)|Walter White]] – 5 receptions, 60 yards
*BUF – [[Bob Chandler]] – 7 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
}}
====Week 10====


{{AFB game box start
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Title=
|Visitor=Giants
|Visitor=Patriots
|V1= 7|V2=3 |V3=7 |V4=0
|V1= 0|V2=7 |V3=7 |V4=0
|Host=Bills
|Host=Bills
|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=7|H4=27
|H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=7
|Date=November 26
|Date=September 24
|Location=[[Rich Stadium]] [[Orchard Park, NY]]
|Location=[[Rich Stadium]]
|StartTime=1:00 p.m.
|StartTime=1:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=EST
|TimeZone=EST
|ElapsedTime=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=28,496
|Attendance=44,897
|Weather=23&nbsp;°F; wind 10
|Weather={{convert|56|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}; wind {{convert|13|mph|km/h knot}}
|Referee=
|Referee=[[Chuck Heberling]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Pat Summerall]] and [[Tom Brookshier]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Sam Nover]] and [[Len Dawson]]
|TVStation=[[NFL on CBS|CBS]]
|TVStation=[[NFL on NBC|NBC]]
}}
}}


{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}

* [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]] 20 Rushes / 208 yards, 2 TDs
<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197811260buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2021-Jun-13.</ref>
<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197811050buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2023-Sep-07.</ref>


{{-}}
{{-}}

====Week 13 vs. Giants====
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Week Thirteen: New York Giants (5–7) at Buffalo Bills (3–9)
|date=November 26, 1978
|time=1:00 p.m. [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|road=[[1978 New York Giants season|Giants]]
|R1=7 |R2=3 |R3=7 |R4=0
|home='''[[Buffalo Bills|Bills]]'''
|H1=7 |H2= 0|H3=7 |H4=27
|stadium=[[Rich Stadium]], [[Orchard Park, New York]]
|attendance=28,496
|weather={{Convert|23|F|C}}
|referee=[[Red Cashion]]
|TV=[[NFL on CBS|CBS]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Pat Summerall]] and [[Tom Brookshier]]
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197811260buf.htm Box Score]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*NYG – [[Al Dixon]] 31-yard pass from [[Joe Pisarcik]] ([[Joe Danelo]] kick). ''Giants 7–0.''
*BUF – [[Curtis Brown (running back, born 1954)|Curtis Brown]] 1-yard run ([[Tom Dempsey]] kick). ''Tie 7–7.''
'''Second quarter'''
*NYG – Joe Danelo 27-yard field goal. ''Giants 10–7.''
'''Third quarter'''
*NYG – [[Doug Kotar]] 19-yard pass from Joe Pisarcik (Joe Danelo kick). ''Giants 17–7.''
*BUF – [[Roland Hooks]] 1-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Giants 17–14.''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*BUF – Curtis Brown 1-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Bills 21–17.''
*BUF – [[Lou Piccone]] 9-yard pass from [[Joe Ferguson]] (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Bills 28–17.''
*BUF – [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]] 39-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). ''Bills 35–17.''
*BUF – Terry Miller 13-yard run (kick failed). ''Bills 41–17.''
|stats=
;Top passers
*NYG – [[Joe Pisarcik]] – 15/24, 230 yards, 2 TD, INT
*BUF – [[Joe Ferguson]] – 9/15, 106 yards, TD, INT
;Top rushers
*NYG – [[Bobby Hammond]] – 15 rushes, 60 yards
*BUF – [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]] – 21 rushes, 208 yards, 2 TD
;Top receivers
*NYG – [[Al Dixon]] – 2 receptions, 78 yards, TD
*BUF – [[Bob Chandler]] – 5 receptions, 75 yards
}}

====Week 14 at Chiefs====
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Week Fourteen: Buffalo Bills (4–9) at Kansas City Chiefs (4–9)
|date=December 3
|time=1:00 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
|road=[[Buffalo Bills|Bills]]
|R1=0|R2=7|R3=3|R4=0
|home='''[[1978 Kansas City Chiefs season|Chiefs]]'''
|H1=7|H2=0|H3=7|H4=0
|stadium=[[Arrowhead Stadium]], [[Kansas City, Missouri]]
|attendance=25,781
|weather={{Convert|24|F|C}}
|referee=[[Fred Silva]]
|TV=[[NFL on NBC|NBC]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Jay Randolph]] and [[Mike Haffner]]
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197812030kan.htm Box score]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*KC – [[Ted McKnight]] 17-yard run ([[Jan Stenerud]] kick). ''Chiefs 7–0.''
'''Second quarter'''
*BUF – [[Frank Lewis (American football)|Frank Lewis]] 40-yard pass from [[Joe Ferguson]] ([[Tom Dempsey]] kick). ''Tied 7–7.''
'''Third quarter'''
*BUF – Tom Dempsey 22-yard field goal. ''Bills 10–7.''
*KC – [[Walter White (American football)|Walter White]] 3-yard pass from [[Mike Livingston]] (Jan Stenerud kick). ''Chiefs 14–10.''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*''No scoring''
|stats=
;Top passers
*BUF – [[Joe Ferguson]] – 14/25, 207 yards, TD, 3 INT
*KC – [[Mike Livingston]] – 12/21, 99 yards, TD, INT
;Top rushers
*BUF – [[Terry Miller (running back)|Terry Miller]] – 15 rushes, 57 yards
*KC – [[Tony Reed]] – 16 rushes, 97 yards
;Top receivers
*BUF – [[Frank Lewis (American football)|Frank Lewis]] – 7 receptions, 126 yards, TD
*KC – [[Henry Marshall (American football)|Henry Marshall]] – 3 receptions, 40 yards
}}


=== Standings ===
=== Standings ===
Line 449: Line 623:
=== Passing ===
=== Passing ===
''Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions''
''Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions''
{|class="wikitable" width="80%"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|- align="center" style="background:#14345B;color:#C41E3A;"
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Player
| '''Player''' || '''Games''' || '''Comp''' || '''Att''' || '''Yards''' || '''TD''' || '''INT''' || '''Rating'''
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Games
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Completions
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Attempts
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Yards
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| TD
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| INT
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Rating
|- align="center"
| [[Joe Ferguson]] || 16 || 175 ||330 || 2136 || 16 || 15 || 70.5
| [[Joe Ferguson]] || 16 || 175 ||330 || 2136 || 16 || 15 || 70.5
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|- align="center"
|}<ref name="pro-football-reference.com">https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1978.htm</ref>
|}<ref name="pro-football-reference.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1978.htm|title=1978 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players}}</ref>


=== Special teams ===
=== 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''
''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''
{|class="wikitable" width="80%"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|- align="center" style="background:#14345B;color:#C41E3A;"
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Player
| '''Player''' || '''Games''' || '''FGA''' || '''FGM''' || '''FG %''' || '''XPA''' || '''XPM''' || '''XP %'''
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| Games
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| FGA
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| FGM
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| FG %
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| XPA
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| XPM
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Buffalo Bills|year=1978|border=2}}"| XP %
|- align="center"
| [[Tom Dempsey]] || 16 || 13 ||10 || 76.9% || 38 || 36 || 94.7%
| [[Tom Dempsey]] || 16 || 13 ||10 || 76.9% || 38 || 36 || 94.7%
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|- align="center"
|}<ref name="pro-football-reference.com"/>
|}<ref name="pro-football-reference.com"/>

== Awards and honors ==

=== All-Pros ===
{{main article|1978 All-Pro Team}}
* [[Joe DeLamielleure]], Guard

== External links ==
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1978.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1978 Buffalo Bills]


== Video Archives ==
== Video Archives ==
Line 481: Line 660:
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gigmt00XqSI 1978 NFL Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills] at [[YouTube]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gigmt00XqSI 1978 NFL Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills] at [[YouTube]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SZPC9S9fBw 1978 NFL Week 6: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets] at [[YouTube]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SZPC9S9fBw 1978 NFL Week 6: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets] at [[YouTube]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1978.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1978 Buffalo Bills]


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 04:08, 11 January 2025

1978 Buffalo Bills season
OwnerRalph Wilson
Head coachChuck Knox
Home fieldRich Stadium
Results
Record5–11
Division place4th AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersG Joe DeLamielleure
AP All-ProsG Joe DeLamielleure (2nd team)

The 1978 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 9th season in the National Football League, and the 19th overall. The Bills were coming off a season in which they only won three games, making 1978 a slight improvement.

Head coach Chuck Knox began his first season with the team, having coached the Los Angeles Rams for the previous five seasons.[note 1] It was also Buffalo's first season after the departure of star running back O. J. Simpson, who was traded to San Francisco for five draft picks in the offseason.

The Bills offense acquired a pair of weapons for quarterback Joe Ferguson: wide receiver Frank Lewis, who had spent the previous 7 seasons in Pittsburgh, and rookie running back Terry Miller, who ended the season with over 1,000 yards.[note 2]

The 1978 Bills' run defense allowed an NFL record 3,228 rushing yards; the 677 rushing attempts the Bills faced in 1978 is also an NFL record.[1] Oddly, the Bills were first in the league in yards allowed on pass defense, giving up only 1,960 yards through the air.[2]

Buffalo's week eight victory over the Cincinnati Bengals produced the second 5-0 final score in modern NFL history (since 1933); the other was a 1970 NFC divisional playoff between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.

Offseason

[edit]

Draft

[edit]
Main article: 1978 NFL draft
1978 Buffalo Bills draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 5 Terry Miller  Running back Oklahoma State
2 32 Dee Hardison  Defensive end North Carolina
2 38 Scott Hutchinson  Defensive end Florida
3 59 Dennis Johnson  Running back Mississippi State
3 65 Danny Fulton  Wide receiver Nebraska–Omaha
4 89 Lucius Sanford  Linebacker Georgia Tech
5 114 Ken Spaeth  Tight end Nebraska
6 145 Eric Smith  Offensive tackle Southern Miss
7 171 Mario Celotto  Linebacker USC
7 183 Steve Powell  Running back NE Missouri State
10 255 Will Grant  Center Kentucky
11 282 Jerry Blanton  Linebacker Kentucky
12 309 Richard Crump  Running back Northeast Oklahoma A&M
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[3]

Personnel

[edit]

Staff/coaches

[edit]
1978 Buffalo Bills staff
Front office

Coaching staff

Offensive coaches

Defensive/special teams coaches

Roster

[edit]
1978 Buffalo Bills roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 3 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–28 0–1 Rich Stadium 64,147
2 September 10 New York Jets L 20–21 0–2 Rich Stadium 40,985
3 September 17 at Miami Dolphins L 24–31 0–3 Miami Orange Bowl 48,373
4 September 24 Baltimore Colts W 24–17 1–3 Rich Stadium 55,270
5 October 1 Kansas City Chiefs W 28–13 2–3 Rich Stadium 47,310
6 October 8 at New York Jets L 14–45 2–4 Shea Stadium 44,545
7 October 15 at Houston Oilers L 10–17 2–5 Astrodome 47,727
8 October 22 Cincinnati Bengals W 5–0 3–5 Rich Stadium 47,754
9 October 29 at Cleveland Browns L 20–41 3–6 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 51,409
10 November 5 New England Patriots L 10–14 3–7 Rich Stadium 44,897
11 November 12 Miami Dolphins L 24–25 3–8 Rich Stadium 48,623
12 November 19 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 10–31 3–9 Tampa Stadium 61,383
13 November 26 New York Giants W 41–17 4–9 Rich Stadium 28,496
14 December 3 at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–14 4–10 Arrowhead Stadium 25,781
15 December 10 at New England Patriots L 24–26 4–11 Schaefer Stadium 59,598
16 December 17 at Baltimore Colts W 21–14 5–11 Memorial Stadium 25,415
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

[edit]

Week 1

[edit]
1 234Total
• Steelers 0 14014 28
Bills 0 0017 17


Week 4

[edit]
1 234Total
Colts 0 1430 17
• Bills 14 1000 24
  • Date: September 24
  • Location: Rich Stadium
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 56 °F or 13.3 °C; wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn)
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
Scoring summary
Q1BUFGant 19 yard pass from Ferguson (Dempsey kick)BUF 7–0
Q1BUFLewis 28 yard pass from Ferguson (Dempsey kick)BUF 14–0
Q2BALLeaks 17 yard pass from Troup (Linhart kick)BUF 14–7
Q2BALMcCall 5 yard blocked punt return (Linhart kick)Tie 14–14
Q2BUFBrown 102 yard kickoff return (Dempsey kick)BUF 21–14
Q2BUFDempsey 21 yard field goalBUF 24–14
Q3BALLinhart 21 yard field goalBUF 24–17

[4]

Week 5

[edit]
Week Five: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 6 0 0713
Bills 0 21 7028

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 47,310
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV: NBC
  • Box score
Game information

Week 10

[edit]
1 234Total
• Patriots 0 770 14
Bills 3 007 10


[5]

Week 13 vs. Giants

[edit]
Week Thirteen: New York Giants (5–7) at Buffalo Bills (3–9)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 3 7017
Bills 7 0 72741

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Week 14 at Chiefs

[edit]
Week Fourteen: Buffalo Bills (4–9) at Kansas City Chiefs (4–9)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 3010
Chiefs 7 0 7014

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Standings

[edit]
1978 AFC East standings
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
New England Patriots(2) 11 5 0 .688 6–2 9–3 358 286 L1
Miami Dolphins(4) 11 5 0 .688 5–3 8–4 372 254 W3
New York Jets 8 8 0 .500 6–2 7–5 359 364 L2
Buffalo Bills 5 11 0 .313 2–6 4–10 302 354 W1
Baltimore Colts 5 11 0 .313 1–7 3–9 240 421 L5

Player stats

[edit]

Passing

[edit]

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

Player Games Completions Attempts Yards TD INT Rating
Joe Ferguson 16 175 330 2136 16 15 70.5

[6]

Special teams

[edit]

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

Player Games FGA FGM FG % XPA XPM XP %
Tom Dempsey 16 13 10 76.9% 38 36 94.7%

[6]

Video Archives

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Knox would coach the Bills for five seasons – through the 1982 season – before leaving for Seattle.
  2. ^ Miller's 1,060 yards would be the only 1,000-yard total of his three year career in Buffalo.
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending opp Rushing Att
  2. ^ 1978 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics
  3. ^ "1978 Bufflo Bills draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  4. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-Oct-09.
  5. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-Sep-07.
  6. ^ a b "1978 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players".
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