The 2008 Buffalo Bills season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and their 49th season overall. The team finished with a record of 7–9 for the third consecutive year. It started the season 5–1 before a 2–8 stretch to finish the season.
After a 5–1 start to the season, starting quarterback Trent Edwards suffered a concussion in week 5 at Arizona after an Adrian Wilson hit. Edwards had started the year throwing 4 touchdowns and two interceptions through the first five games. After the injury, he threw 7 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, before missing two of the final four games of the season with a groin injury. After their 4–0 start, the Bills won only three of their final 12 games of the year.
Despite strong years from second-year running back Marshawn Lynch (1,036 rushing yards, 1,336 yards from scrimmage) and wide receiver Lee Evans (1,017 receiving yards), the team was eliminated from playoff contention in week 15, which secured their ninth straight year without a playoff appearance.
Offseason
Acquisitions The Bills signed Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Spencer Johnson, New York Jets fullback Darian Barnes and New York Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell in free agency.
Also, the Bills traded for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, sending Baltimore's 2008 3rd round selection, and Chicago's 5th round selection.
DT Marcus Stroud – Acquired via trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for 2008 3rd and 5th round selections. LB Kawika Mitchell – Signed as a free agent from the New York Giants. DT Spencer Johnson – Signed as a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings. TE Courtney Anderson – Signed as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders. Released on August 30. CB William James – Signed as a free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles. Released on August 30, after being beaten out in training camp.
Departures DT Anthony Hargrove – Suspended by league for one year January 24 RB Anthony Thomas – Released on February 27 DT Larry Tripplett – Released on February 29 LB Coy Wire – Released on February 27, failed physical WR Peerless Price – Released on February 14 WR Sam Aiken – Signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent CB Jason Webster – Signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent TE Michael Gaines – Signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent
NFL draft
Buffalo found some impact players in the 2008 NFL draft. Leodis McKelvin was named to the Sporting News All-NFL team in his rookie year; he became a dynamic kick- and punt-return specialist. Demetress Bell eventually won a starting job at offensive tackle in Buffalo, a position he held for four seasons. Stevie Johnson had a breakout year in 2010; he became the first receiver in Bills history to gain 1,000 receiving yards in consecutive seasons.Johnson gained 1,000 or more yards in three straight seasons, from 2010 through 2012.
Personnel Staff/coaches
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Washington Redskins L 14–17 0–1 FedExField Recap 2 Pittsburgh Steelers W 24–21 1–1 Rogers Centre Recap 3 August 24 at Indianapolis Colts W 20–7 2–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 4 Detroit Lions L 6–14 2–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
Regular season One regular season home game per year was played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario as part of a five-year deal. For 2008, December 7's matchup with the Miami Dolphins was staged in Toronto.
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 Seattle Seahawks W 34–10 1–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 2 September 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–16 2–0 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap 3 September 21 Oakland Raiders W 24–23 3–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 4 September 28 at St. Louis Rams W 31–14 4–0 Edward Jones Dome Recap 5 October 5 at Arizona Cardinals L 17–41 4–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 6Bye 7 October 19 San Diego Chargers W 23–14 5–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 8 October 26 at Miami Dolphins L 16–25 5–2 Dolphin Stadium Recap 9 November 2 New York Jets L 17–26 5–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 10 November 9 at New England Patriots L 10–20 5–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 11 Cleveland Browns L 27–29 5–5 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 12 November 23 at Kansas City Chiefs W 54–31 6–5 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 13 November 30 San Francisco 49ers L 3–10 6–6 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 14 December 7 Miami Dolphins L 3–16 6–7 Rogers Centre Recap 15 December 14 at New York Jets L 27–31 6–8 Giants Stadium Recap 16 December 21 at Denver Broncos W 30–23 7–8 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap 17 December 28 New England Patriots L 0–13 7–9 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Bills began their 2008 campaign at home against the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, Buffalo drew first blood as running back Marshawn Lynch got a 21-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, the Bills increased their lead with wide receiver/punt returner Roscoe Parrish returning a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks responded with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nate Burleson. Buffalo closed out the half with kicker Rian Lindell getting a 35-yard and a 38-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Seattle responded with kicker Olindo Mare nailing a 45-yard field goal. Afterwards, Buffalo dug into their bag of tricks. Appearing to attempt a 32-yard field goal, holder Brian Moorman completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to defensive end Ryan Denney. The Bills pulled away with quarterback Trent Edwards completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to tight end Robert Royal.
With this win, the Bills started their season with a 1–0 record.
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Coming off an impressive home win over the Seahawks, the Bills flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 2 duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Buffalo drew first blood as RB Marshawn Lynch got an 11-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Jaguars responded with kicker Josh Scobee getting a 28-yard field goal. The Bills closed the half with kicker Rian Lindell's a 21-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Jacksonville took the lead with RB Maurice Jones-Drew getting a 2-yard TD run and Scobee getting a 50-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Jaguars increased their lead with Scobee nailing a 39-yard field goal. Buffalo rallied as QB Trent Edwards completed a 7-yard TD pass to rookie WR James Hardy, along with Lindell's yard field goal.
With yet another win, the Bills improved to their first 2–0 start since 2003.
Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders
Coming off their road win over the Jaguars, the Bills went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a Week 3 duel with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, Buffalo trailed early as Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski got a 23-yard and a 35-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bills got on the board with RB Marshawn Lynch's 14-yard TD run. Oakland responded with Janikowski's 32-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Raiders increased their lead with QB JaMarcus Russell getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Buffalo began to rally as Lynch got a 3-yard TD run. Oakland immediately responded with Russell completing an 84-yard TD pass to WR Johnnie Lee Higgins. Afterwards, the Bills completed its rally with QB Trent Edwards completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Roscoe Parrish. Then, Buffalo sealed the win with kicker Rian Lindell nailing the game-winning 38-yard field goal.
With the win, the Bills improved to 3–0 for the first time since 1992. With the Patriots' loss to the Dolphins, the Bills are now in first place in the AFC East after 3 weeks.
Also, during halftime, former Bills DE Bruce Smith (the NFL's All-Time Sack Leader) was added to the Bills Wall of Fame.
Week 4: at St. Louis Rams
Coming off their last-second home win over the Raiders, the Bills flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 4 interconference duel with the winless St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, Buffalo drew first blood as kicker Rian Lindell got a 45-yard field goal. The Rams responded with WR Donnie Avery getting a 37-yard TD run. The Bills answered with Lindell's 35-yard field goal. In the second quarter, St. Louis increased its lead with RB Steven Jackson getting a 29-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, Buffalo began to rally as RB Fred Jackson got a 22-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bills completed their comeback with CB Jabari Greer returning an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, QB Trent Edwards completing a 39-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans, and Lindell nailing a 45-yard field goal.
With the win, Buffalo got its first 4–0 start since 1992.
Week 5: at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their road win over the Rams, the Bills flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 5 interconference game with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, Buffalo trailed early as Cardinals QB Kurt Warner completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead as RB Tim Hightower got a 17-yard TD run. The Bills responded as QB J.P. Losman completing an 87-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans, yet the Cardinals replied with RB Edgerrin James getting a 1-yard TD run. Buffalo answered with Losman's 1-yard TD run, yet Arizona closed out the half with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 47-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Bills tried to catch up as kicker Rian Lindell got a 48-yard field goal, but the Cardinals answered with Warner completing a 2-yard TD pass to Fitzgerald. In the fourth quarter, Arizona pulled away as Rackers nailed a 38-yard field goal, along with Hightower getting a 2-yard TD run,
With the loss, Buffalo went into their bye week at 4–1.
QB Trent Edwards (3/3 for 18 yards), who originally started, was knocked out the game on the Bills' third offensive play by Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson with a concussion.
Week 7: vs. San Diego Chargers
Coming off their bye week, the Bills played a Week 7 duel with the San Diego Chargers. In the first quarter, Buffalo drew first blood as kicker Rian Lindell got a 38-yard field goal. The Chargers responded with QB Philip Rivers completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Malcom Floyd. In the second quarter, the Bills regained the lead with QB Trent Edwards (fully recovered from his concussion) completing a 2-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans, along with Lindell getting a 27-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, San Diego regained the lead with Rivers completing a 12-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. Buffalo answered with RB Marshawn Lynch getting a 9-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bills pulled away with Lindell nailing a 44-yard field goal.
With the win, not only did Buffalo improve to 5–1, they also got their first 3–0 home start since 1995.
A power outage at Ralph Wilson Stadium, caused by three helium balloons coming in contact with a transformer, led to portions of the game not being televised. For a short time during the first and second quarters, the game was played with no public address announcers, no scoreboard, and the time being kept by the officials on the field.
Week 8: at Miami Dolphins
Coming off their win over the Chargers, the Bills flew to Dolphin Stadium for a Week 8 AFC East duel with the Miami Dolphins. In the first quarter, Buffalo trailed early as Dolphins QB Chad Pennington completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Anthony Fasano. The Bills responded with kicker Rian Lindell getting a 19-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Buffalo took the lead as Lindell got a 43-yard and a 47-yard field goal.