‘“I was told, ‘You’ve got to be careful of the feedback, the echo,’ ” said Dref, a classical crossover tenor who grew up in Western New York and performs around the world. “I’ve heard stories about people listening for the echo, and it takes about four minutes to get through (the anthem).”’
BillsBeat - October 19, 2025
Kyle Orton game-winning pass in 2014 is one of top games in Bills stadium history
‘While it was true the Bills were far from perfect as the offense committed four turnovers, they did outgain Minnesota 373-276, and Orton orchestrated a 15-play, 80-yard drive in the final three minutes to pull out the victory, which was a breakout game for Watkins.’
Doug Flutie's famous 1998 game-winning bootleg touchdown was 'a busted play'
‘“We had a ‘check with me play’ and Thurman thought I called the other play,” Flutie said. “It was a busted play, it wasn’t a naked bootleg. I basically ran the play for Thurman, but the blocks were made, the play was there and I walked into the end zone.”’
My first Bills game was more than football — it was healing
‘Others around me did the same. As the game warmed up, so did we. We were all packed in like sardines and buzzing off the energy of each touchdown and field goal scored by our Buffalo Bills.’
Today in Bills stadium history: Oct. 19
‘2014 — Buffalo 17, Minnesota 16 — Kyle Orton passed for 283 yards and two touchdowns to Sammy Watkins, the last one coming with 1 second left on the clock lifting the Bills to a 4-3 record. Watkins finished with 122 yards on nine receptions, a breakout game for the rookie receiver. Orton led the Bills on a 15-play, 80-minute winning drive starting with less than three minutes to play. Watkins caught three passes for 39 yards on the last series. Leodis McKelvin made two interceptions and Marcell Dareus had two of Buffalo’s five sacks. The Bills overcame four turnovers, six sacks and eight penalties in the victory. Attendance was 68,477.’
Top stats to know about the 4-2 Buffalo Bills heading into the bye week
‘Buffalo is undefeated coming off a bye since 2017, and this is the second-best record in the league behind the Pittsburgh Steelers who are 9-0. Quarterback Josh Allen leads the NFL in wins following a bye week as a starting quarterback since that season as well. He has a 7-0 record.’
BillsBeat - October 18, 2025
A look at the Buffalo Bills rookie class 6 weeks into the season
Whether injured or inactive, the Bills’ rookie class, as a whole, has yet to make a splash. That is not to say those players are less likely to get more involved in the future. But with the Bills paying a premium to quarterback Josh Allen, as well as significant contracts to other play-makers, it is vital for draftees to make an impact on their rookie contracts.’
Local kicker had big moment during 1987 strike in this memorable game
‘Todd Schlopy grew up in Orchard Park and after a career as a World Cup skier didn’t pan out, he went to the University of Michigan and while earning a degree in film study, he was a kickoff specialist for two seasons playing for legendary Wolverines coach Bo Schembechler in the early 1980s.’
Booed early, cheered late — Bills QB Todd Collins delivered a miracle comeback in 1997
‘Frank Reich brought the Bills back from 35-3 down to a 41-38 overtime victory over the Houston Oilers in the 1992 AFC wild-card playoff round, and it was the even more unlikely Todd Collins who rallied the Bills from a 26-0 deficit on this day in 1997 to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 37-35.’
Three questions Bills must answer during bye week
‘The Buffalo Bills’ pass defense, statistically speaking, has actually been pretty good so far. Buffalo has allowed 167.2 passing yards per game, fourth-best in the NFL. The problem is that the number is large, aided by a run defense that has been carved up for 156.3 yards per game so far, 30th in the league.’
The Bills are getting defensive players back, but how will it look on the field?
‘Defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi are eligible to return from six-game suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs. And Bills coach Sean McDermott said they are contemplating opening the 21-day window for first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston to return from injured reserve after suffering an LCL injury July 30.’
Today in Bills stadium history: Oct. 18
‘1987 — Bills 6, Giants 3 (OT) — Orchard Park’s own Todd Schlopy kicked the winning field goal from 27 yards out with 19 seconds remaining in overtime to win what Marv Levy described as the worst football game ever played. A crowd of 15,000 came to Rich Stadium for the final Bills game with replacement players in that week that the ’87 players strike was settled. Some NFL veterans had already crossed the picket line, including Giants superstar Lawrence Taylor, yet the talent assembled in this game combined for nine fumbles, five interceptions, 26 penalties, five missed field goals, and zero touchdowns. Schlopy’s chance to be a local hero came after he’d already missed a 28-yarder in OT. Carl Byrum, a fifth-round pick who played in 41 games for the Bills, rushed for 139 yards, more than a quarter of his career total. Buffalo went 1-2 with scab players in a season it finished with a 7-8 record.’
BillsBeat - October 17, 2025
Contender or pretender? Parity around NFL should give Bills fans hope amid skid
‘The offense will be fi ne. There’s too much talent and offensive coordinator Joe Brady will learn from the head-scratching calls in losses to the Patriots and Falcons. The defense, on the other hand, looks like the phase that could hold Buffalo back in 2025. But a look around the NFL is a reminder that no team has looked perfect through six games and that will remain the case until the Bills (4-2) play again on Oct. 26 in Carolina.’
Jim Kubiak: Josh Allen just had his most undisciplined performance in three years. Have a look
‘Josh Allen turned the ball over and did not make ordinary plays consistently. To make matters worse, James Cook did not establish his dominance early, and Joe Brady did not have Cook in the game during critical moments. This was a strange deviation, as the Bills came into the game ranked first in the NFL in rushing attempts and second in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. This visibly hindered the Bills’ offense at times and put Allen in difficult situations, which may have been a factor in his worsening execution.’
This Bills 1977 win is one of the ugliest games ever played in Buffalo's stadium history
‘But in 1976 when they went 2-12, and then in 1977 when they went 3-11 the Bills were the dregs of the NFL. Even their wins were ugly, such as this one which ranks as one of the ugliest of them all.’