2012 Buffalo Bills season

The 2012 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League, the 53rd overall and the third under head coach Chan Gailey. The team had hoped to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but failed and continue to own the NFL's longest playoff drought.

2012 Buffalo Bills season
OwnerRalph Wilson
Head coachChan Gailey
General managerBuddy Nix
Home fieldRalph Wilson Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place4th AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersC. J. Spiller, RB
Kyle Williams, DT
Jairus Byrd, S
AP All-ProsJairus Byrd, S

2012 was the final year on the Bills' current lease with Ralph Wilson Stadium as well as the final year on the current Bills Toronto Series agreement. The league had approved an additional five-year extension of the Toronto series, extending through 2017, on the condition that the Bills and Rogers Communications come to an agreement extending the series,[1] a condition that both sides have indicated willingness to do. The Bills and the league are demanding significant and expensive renovations to Ralph Wilson Stadium as a condition of renewing the stadium lease.[2] The Buffalo News reported renovations could top 200 million dollars.[3] The Bills and Erie County (the owners of Ralph Wilson Stadium) missed the deadline for a long-term agreement in September 2012.[4] However, on December 21, the Bills agreed with Erie County to a 10-year lease on Ralph Wilson Stadium, extending it through for at least another 7 years.[5]

Personnel changes

On January 2, 2012, one day after the conclusion of the season, George Edwards was fired from his position as defensive coordinator. Edwards had been the defensive coordinator for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Former NFL and college head coach Dave Wannstedt was promoted to defensive coordinator. (Bills head coach Chan Gailey had been the offensive coordinator under Wannstedt in 2000 and 2001, when Wannstedt was Miami's head coach.)

Roster changes
Buffalo's defensive linemen at training camp in August 2012

In his annual season-ending press conference, general manager Buddy Nix laid out his priorities for the offseason. Nix stated that the team was eager to re-sign wide receiver Stevie Johnson, kicker Rian Lindell and offensive tackle Demetress Bell. Johnson and Lindell were successfully re-signed; Bell was signed by Philadelphia. He also stated that he wanted to re-sign running back Fred Jackson and have him retire as a Bill.[6] Jackson whose contract ran through the end of the 2012 season was having a career season before a mid season 2011 injury. Johnson renewed his contract with the Bills for five years and $36.2 million on March 5, 2012.[7]

On March 15, 2012, the Bills made the biggest free agent acquisition in team history, signing all-pro defensive end Mario Williams to a contract worth $100 million over six years, with $50 million guaranteed, the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history.[8] The recruiting of Williams took place over three days, starting with general manager Buddy Nix and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt escorting Williams to Buffalo in a private jet. Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly was also part of the recruiting.

On March 21, 2012 Mark Anderson, who had 12.5 sacks with the Patriots over the 2011 regular season and playoffs, signed a four-year deal with Buffalo.[9] With announced plans to switch to the 4–3 defense the Bills could field Mario Williams at left end and Anderson on the opposite side in passing situations. Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus will anchor the middle of the defensive line.

On May 11, 2012 the Bills made yet another high-profile signing by signing QB Vince Young to a one-year contract to back up Ryan Fitzpatrick.[10] Young was the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was nonetheless released in the middle of the preseason, with Gailey citing inconsistency as the reason, and replaced by Tarvaris Jackson, whom the Bills acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Because Jackson was not ready for the start of the regular season, the Bills will go with four quarterbacks on its roster for the first several weeks of the season.

Kickoff specialist John Potter, a rookie, made the 53-man roster. He will specialize in kickoffs to ease pressure on the team's aging kickers, placekicker Rian Lindell and punter Brian Moorman, who handled the duties in the past. (Moorman would be released from the roster three weeks into the regular season.)

2012 Draft
Main article: 2012 NFL Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
110 Stephon GilmoreCornerbackSouth Carolina
241 Cordy GlennGuardGeorgia
369 T. J. GrahamWide receiverNC State
4105 Nigel BradhamOutside LinebackerFlorida State
124[a] Ron BrooksCornerbackLSU
5144 Zebrie SandersTackleFlorida State
147[b] Tank CarderInside LinebackerTCU
6178 Mark AsperGuardOregon
7251[c] John PotterKickerWestern Michigan

Notes

^[a] The team acquired an additional fourth-round selection (#124 overall) in a trade that sent wide receiver Lee Evans to the Baltimore Ravens.
^[b] The team acquired an additional fifth-round selection (#147 overall) as part of a trade that sent running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks.
^[c] Compensatory selection.

Undrafted free agents

Stanford safety Delano Howell, Missouri State running back Chris Douglas, Virginia Tech cornerback Cris Hill, Colorado State offensive lineman Paul Madsen, Florida State punter Shawn Powell, Texas offensive lineman David Snow, Penn State safety Nick Sukay, Mercyhurst safety/long snapper Ian Wild, Texas A&M linebacker Garrick Williams and Richmond quarterback Aaron Corp.[11] Corp was later released.

Staff
2012 Buffalo Bills staff
Front office
  • President – Ralph Wilson
  • CEO – Russ Brandon
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – Buddy Nix
  • Senior Vice President of Football Administration – Jim Overdorf
  • Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel – Doug Whaley
  • Director of Pro Personnel – Tom Gibbons
  • Director of College Scouting – Chuck Cook

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Bruce DeHaven
  • Assistant Special Teams – Stan Kwan

Strength and conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning – Eric Ciano
  • Head Strength and Conditioning – John Gamble

Final roster
2012 Buffalo Bills final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 15 inactive, 7 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 August 9 Washington Redskins L 6–7 0–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
2 August 17 at Minnesota Vikings L 14–36 0–2 Mall of America Field Recap
3 August 25 Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–38 0–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
4 August 30 at Detroit Lions L 32–38 0–4 Ford Field Recap

Regular season
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 9 at New York Jets L 28–48 0–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
2 September 16 Kansas City Chiefs W 35–17 1–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
3 September 23 at Cleveland Browns W 24–14 2–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
4 September 30 New England Patriots L 28–52 2–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
5 October 7 at San Francisco 49ers L 3–45 2–3 Candlestick Park Recap
6 October 14 at Arizona Cardinals W 19–16 (OT) 3–3 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
7 October 21 Tennessee Titans L 34–35 3–4 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
8 Bye
9 November 4 at Houston Texans L 9–21 3–5 Reliant Stadium Recap
10 November 11 at New England Patriots L 31–37 3–6 Gillette Stadium Recap
11 November 15 Miami Dolphins W 19–14 4–6 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
12 November 25 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–20 4–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 2 Jacksonville Jaguars W 34–18 5–7 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
14 December 9 St. Louis Rams L 12–15 5–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
15 December 16 Seattle Seahawks L 17–50 5–9 Rogers Centre (Toronto) Recap
16 December 23 at Miami Dolphins L 10–24 5–10 Sun Life Stadium Recap
17 December 30 New York Jets W 28–9 6–10 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
 #  Indicates the game was part of the Bills Toronto Series.

Week 1: at New York Jets
Week One: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 71428
Jets 7 20 14748

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 79,088
  • Referee: Robert Frazer
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Two: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 01717
Bills 7 14 14035

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,402
  • Referee: Robert Dalton
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein
Game information

Week 3: at Cleveland Browns
Week Three: Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 14 0 3724
Browns 0 7 7014

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), rain
  • Game attendance: 69,353
  • Referee: David Scott
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein
Game information

Week 4: vs. New England Patriots
Week Four: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 0 143152
Bills 0 14 7728

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 70,684
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Five: Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 3 003
49ers 3 14 72145

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Game information

Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Six: Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Bills 9 0 70319
Cardinals 3 7 33016

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. Arizona time
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 60,385
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
Game information

Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Seven: Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 14 7 7735
Bills 14 6 14034

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 68,836
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

Week 9: at Houston Texans
Week Nine: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 6 309
Texans 7 0 7721

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,698
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

Week 10: at New England Patriots
Week Ten: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 17 7731
Patriots 10 14 7637

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

With the loss, the Bills dropped to 3–6 and 0–11 against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Week 11: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Eleven: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 0 0714
Bills 13 6 0019

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

By beating the Dolphins on a Thursday Night Football showdown, Buffalo improved to 4–6 and snapped an 8-game losing skid against division rivals.

Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts
Week Twelve: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 3 3 0713
Colts 7 6 7020

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 64,366
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Thirteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 10 0818
Bills 7 10 10734

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), rain
  • Game attendance: 53,971
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein (blacked out locally)
Game information

Week 14: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Fourteen: St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 0 0 01515
Bills 3 3 6012

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Bills Toronto Series

Week Fifteen: Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 14 17 16350
Bills 7 10 0017

at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 40,770
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information

With the loss, the Bills fall to 5–9 and are officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Week 16: at Miami Dolphins
Week Sixteen: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 3 0710
Dolphins 7 7 10024

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 54,462
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Randy Cross
Game information

Week 17: vs. New York Jets
Week Seventeen: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jets 3 6 009
Bills 7 7 01428

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 54,533
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon (blacked out locally)
Game information

Standings
AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New England Patriots 12 4 0 .750 6–0 11–1 557 331 W2
Miami Dolphins 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 288 317 L1
New York Jets 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 281 375 L3
Buffalo Bills 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 344 435 W1

Statistics

Team leaders
Player(s)Value
Passing YardsRyan Fitzpatrick2471 Yards
Passing TouchdownsRyan Fitzpatrick20 TDs
Rushing YardsC. J. Spiller907 Yards
Rushing TouchdownsC. J. Spiller5 TDs
Receiving YardsStevie Johnson705 Yards
Receiving TouchdownsScott Chandler6 TDs
PointsRian Lindell83 Points
Kickoff Return YardsLeodis McKelvin453 Yards
Punt Return YardsLeodis McKelvin387 Yards
TacklesNick Barnett82 Tackles
SacksMario Williams9.5 Sacks
InterceptionsJairus Byrd5 INTs

stats values are correct through Week 14. '

League rankings
  • Total Offense (YPG): 346.4 (17th)
  • Passing (YPG): 199 (26th)
  • Rushing (YPG): 147.9 (4th)
  • Total Defense (YPG): 368.5 (24th)
  • Passing (YPG): 229 (13th)
  • Rushing (YPG): 139.2 (30th)

Stats correct through week 14.

References
  1. "Five-year extension of Buffalo Bills' Toronto series approved". NFL. NFL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  2. Bailey, Budd (December 31, 2011). 2011 in review: In sports, high hopes and painful losses. The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  3. "Progress made in Bills lease/renovation talks". The Buffalo News. June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  4. Jewell-Gee, Denise (September 12, 2012). Bills, county agree they need one-year extension of stadium lease. The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  5. Wawrow, John (December 21, 2012). "Bills staying put after agreeing to new lease". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  6. Buffalo Rumblings: Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix Lays Out Team's Off-Season Priorities
  7. "Buffalo Bills sign RB Fred Jackson to two-year extension". NFL. NFL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  8. Gaughan, Mark (March 15, 2012). "Bills' Williams: 'Can't wait to get out there and make things happen'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  9. Gaughan, Mark (March 21, 2012). "Bills sign productive pass rusher in Anderson". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  10. "Vince Young agrees to one-year deal with Buffalo Bills". NFL. NFL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  11. "Bills sign 10 undrafted rookies, including Aaron Corp". NBC Sports. NBCSports.com. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
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