What Is 1997 Buffalo Bills football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1997 Buffalo Bills finished the NFL season with a 6–10 record, placing 4th in the AFC East under head coach Wade Phillips. They played their home games at Rich Stadium and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1991.

Key Facts

The 1997 Buffalo Bills had a 6–10 regular season record
They played home games at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York
Quarterback Jim Kelly retired before the season; Rob Johnson and Pete Gonzalez split starts
Defensive end Bruce Smith recorded 10.5 sacks during the season
The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1991

Overview

The 1997 season marked a turning point for the Buffalo Bills, ending a dominant run of playoff appearances. After reaching the Super Bowl in four consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1993, the team struggled to maintain competitiveness under head coach Wade Phillips.

This season reflected a transitional phase, highlighted by the retirement of franchise legend Jim Kelly and the introduction of new quarterbacks. The Bills failed to replicate past success, finishing with a losing record and missing the postseason for the first time in six years.

Record: The team finished 6–10, their first losing season since 1985, signaling a decline in performance.
Division Standing: They placed 4th in the AFC East, behind the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, which had been their home since 1973.
Quarterback Situation: With Jim Kelly’s retirement, Rob Johnson started 10 games and Pete Gonzalez started 6, showing instability at QB.
Defensive Leader: Veteran defensive end Bruce Smith remained a key player, recording 10.5 sacks and anchoring the defensive line.

Season Performance & Key Players

The 1997 campaign was defined by inconsistency on both offense and defense, with several notable performances overshadowed by overall underachievement. Injuries and quarterback transitions contributed heavily to the team’s struggles throughout the 16-game schedule.

Offensive Output: The Bills scored 299 total points (18.7 per game), ranking 20th in the NFL, hampered by inconsistent quarterback play.
Defensive Effort: The defense allowed 357 points (22.3 per game), placing 23rd in the league and struggling against the pass.
Top Receiver: Wide receiver Andre Reed led the team with 55 receptions for 754 yards, showing resilience despite the team’s decline.
Leading Rusher: Running back Antowain Smith rushed for 829 yards and 7 touchdowns in his rookie season, a bright spot.
Coaching: Head coach Wade Phillips entered his second season but faced growing scrutiny due to the team’s poor record.
Special Teams: Kicker Steve Christie made 23 of 30 field goals, including a long of 53 yards, providing reliable scoring.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1997 season stands in stark contrast to the Bills’ success in the early 1990s, illustrating a shift from contender to rebuilding team.

Season	Record	Playoff Result	Head Coach	Key QB
1993	12–4	Lost Super Bowl XXVIII	Bill Belichick	Jim Kelly
1994	9–7	Lost AFC Wild Card	Marv Levy	Jim Kelly
1995	6–10	Missed Playoffs	Marv Levy	Jim Kelly
1996	7–9	Missed Playoffs	Wade Phillips	Jim Kelly
1997	6–10	Missed Playoffs	Wade Phillips	Rob Johnson

This table highlights the steady decline in performance from the peak years of the early 1990s to the mid-to-late decade. The 1997 season continued the downward trend, with the team failing to stabilize after Kelly’s retirement. While Antowain Smith showed promise, the lack of a reliable quarterback and defensive depth kept the Bills from competing. The transition era underscored the difficulty of maintaining success after losing franchise icons.

Why It Matters

The 1997 Buffalo Bills season is significant as a marker of the end of an era and the beginning of a prolonged rebuilding phase. It illustrated the challenges of transitioning from a veteran-led team to a younger roster without immediate playoff implications.

End of an Era: The retirement of Jim Kelly marked the symbolic end of the Bills’ Super Bowl-contending years.
Quarterback Transition: The struggle to replace Kelly highlighted the difficulty of finding a franchise QB in the post-Kelly era.
Defensive Reliance: The team continued to depend on Bruce Smith, who remained elite despite the team’s overall decline.
Rebuilding Phase: The 6–10 record signaled a need for long-term roster changes, leading to future draft investments.
Fan Impact: Buffalo fans experienced a shift from annual Super Bowl hopes to managing expectations during a rebuilding period.
Historical Context: The 1997 season is remembered as the start of a 17-year playoff drought, lasting until 2017.

The 1997 season, while not successful on the field, remains a pivotal chapter in Bills history, illustrating the consequences of aging rosters and the challenges of sustaining success in the NFL.