Perhaps the most hardcore fanbase out of any NFL team, the Buffalo Bills are perpetual contenders. Year after year, the team can build out a playoff-caliber squad at the very least, barring the 2000-2016 barren wasteland.
This year, they’re walking in with Super Bowl aspirations and potential MVP Josh Allen in tow. However, how have they fared in the playoffs since the NFL/AFL merger of 1970?
Buffalo Bills Playoff Appearances and Results by Year
- 2024
- Wild Card: Won 31-7 vs. Broncos
- Divison: Won 27-25 vs. Ravens
- 2023
- Wild Card: Won 31-17 vs. Steelers
- Division: Lost 27-24 vs. Chiefs
- 2022
- Wild Card: Won 34-31 vs. Dolphins
- Division: Lost 27-10 vs. Bengals
- 2021
- Wild Card: Won 47-17 vs. Patriots
- Division: Lost 42-36 vs. Chiefs
- 2020
- Wild Card: Won 27-24 vs. Colts
- Division: Won 17-3 vs. Ravens
- Conference Championship: Lost 38-24 vs. Chiefs
- 2019
- Wild Card: Lost 22-19 vs. Texans
- 2017
- Wild Card: Lost 10-3 vs. Jaguars
- 1999
- Wild Card: Lost 22-16 vs. Titans
- 1998
- Wild Card: Lost 24-17 vs. Dolphins
- 1996
- Wild Card: Lost 30-27 vs. Jaguars
- 1995
- Wild Card: Won 37-22 vs. Dolphins
- Division: Lost 40-21 vs. Steelers
- 1993
- Division: Won 29-23 vs. Raiders
- Conference Championship: Won 30-13 vs. Chiefs
- Super Bowl: Lost 30-13 vs. Cowboys
- 1992
- Wild Card: Won 41-38 vs. Oilers
- Division: Won 24-3 vs. Steelers
- Conference Championship: Won 29-10 vs. Dolphins
- Super Bowl: Lost 52-17 vs. Cowboys
- 1991
- Division: Won 37-14 vs. Chiefs
- Conference Championship: Won 10-7 vs. Broncos
- Super Bowl: Lost 37-24 vs. Washington
- 1990
- Division: Won 44-34 vs. Dolphins
- Conference Championship: Won 51-3 vs. Raiders
- Super Bowl: Lost 20-19 vs. Giants
- 1989
- Division: Lost 34-30 vs. Browns
- 1988
- Division: Won 17-10 vs. Oilers
- Conference Championship: Lost 21-10 vs. Bengals
- 1981
- Wild Card: Won 31-27 vs. Jets
- Division: Lost 28-21 vs. Bengals
- 1980
- Division: Won 20-14 vs. Chargers
- 1974
- Division: Lost 32-14 vs. Steelers
Bills Playoff History FAQ
The Bills are one of the more accomplished franchises in the NFL with a constant string of postseason appearances. Here’s everything you need to know about the team and its history in the playoffs.
What’s the Bills’ Playoff Win/Loss Record?
The Bills’ all-time playoff record is 21-21. Since 1970, their record sits at 20-18.
How Many Times Have the Bills Been to the Playoffs?
Since the merger, not including this season, the Buffalo Bills have made the playoffs 19 times. Their total number is 24.
How Many Super Bowl Appearances Do the Bills Have?
The Buffalo Bills have made it to the Super Bowl four times, in a dominating stretch at the start of the 1990s, where they appeared four consecutive times from 1990-1993.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Bills Won?
Unfortunately, despite making it to four consecutive Super Bowls, the Bills could not register a single victory, losing to the New York Giants, Washington, and the Dallas Cowboys twice. However, this year, they walk in with a healthy roster and an MVP candidate at quarterback as the two-seed. Perhaps a change to that record might be incoming.
When Was the Last Time the Bills Made the Super Bowl?
In 1993, going on their fourth-straight trip, the Buffalo Bills chartered a path through the AFC West, beating the then Los Angeles Raiders and the Chiefs in back-to-back rounds to make it to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, they ran into the Dallas Cowboys buzzsaw, led by Troy Aikman at quarterback, and lost to them for the second straight year.
Since then, they’ve been to the playoffs 10 times, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game. However, they have yet to return to the big game.