The 2018 season was the Buffalo Bills' 59th overall, 49th in the National Football League (NFL), fourth full under the ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula and second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane. The team previously finished with a 9–7 record in 2017 and returned to the playoffs for the first time after having not been to the playoffs since 1999.
After a 21–17 loss to the rival Miami Dolphins in Week 13, the Bills failed to match their 9–7 record from the previous season. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention the following week with a 27–23 loss to the New York Jets, ultimately finishing with a 6–10 record as numerous players from the previous season departed via trades, roster cuts or retirement. They went 4–3 in their last 7 games. This season was also notable for being the first season for quarterback Josh Allen and the last one for longtime defensive tackle Kyle Williams.
This was the only season the Bills missed the playoffs under McDermott, and as of the 2025 season, remains the most recent season in which the Bills missed the playoffs or finished with a losing record.
Offseason On May 1, 2018, three weeks after the 2017–18 Buffalo Sabres season ended, team president Russ Brandon announced his resignation from Pegula Sports and Entertainment. In a statement to the press, Brandon stated that the departure had been planned since he had reached 20 years with the Bills in November 2017 and that he fulfilled his duties to the Bills and Sabres for the remainder of the Sabres' season before tendering his resignation. A report in The Buffalo News claimed that Brandon had been subject to an internal investigation regarding inappropriate relationships with female employees; neither the Bills, Sabres nor Brandon mentioned such in their statements.
Transactions
Front office changes Position Name Reason 2018 replacement Date Notes President Russ Brandon Resigned Kim Pegula May 1
Free Agency
Arrivals Position Player 2017 Team Date signed Notes CB Vontae Davis Indianapolis Colts February 26, 2018 1-year/$5 million RB Chris Ivory Jacksonville Jaguars March 6, 2018 2-year/$5.5 million DE Owa Odighizuwa New York Giants March 8, 2018 Reserve/future CB Rafael Bush New Orleans Saints March 14, 2018 2-year/$4.5 million DT Star Lotulelei Carolina Panthers March 14, 2018 5-year/$50 million LB Julian Stanford New York Jets March 14, 2018 2-year/$3 million LB/DE Trent Murphy Washington Redskins March 14, 2018 3-year/$22.5 million QB A. J. McCarron Cincinnati Bengals March 14, 2018 2-year/$10 million C Russell Bodine Cincinnati Bengals March 19, 2018 2-year/5 million OT Marshall Newhouse Oakland Raiders March 19, 2018 1-year WR Jeremy Kerley New York Jets April 16, 2018 1-year DT Tenny Palepoi Los Angeles Chargers April 16, 2018 1-year QB Matt Barkley Cincinnati Bengals October 31, 2018 P Colton Schmidt Buffalo Bills October 31, 2018
Departures Position Player 2018 team Date signed Notes OT Seantrel Henderson Houston Texans March 14, 2018 LB Preston Brown Cincinnati Bengals March 16, 2018 WR Deonte Thompson Dallas Cowboys March 22, 2018 CB E.J. Gaines Cleveland Browns March 23, 2018 WR Jordan Matthews New England Patriots April 6, 2018
Draft
Draft trades The Bills traded their first- and second-round selections (12th, 53rd and 56th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Tampa Bay's first- and seventh-round selections (7th and 255th overall). The Bills traded their first- and third-round selections (22nd and 65th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Baltimore's first- and fifth-round selections (16th and 154th overall) The Bills traded their first- and fifth-round selections (21st and 158th overall) and offensive tackle Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for Cincinnati's first- and sixth-round selections (12th and 187th overall). The Bills traded their first-round selection in 2017 (10th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Kansas City's first-round selection (22nd overall) as well as their first- and third-round selections in 2017 (27th and 91st overall). The Bills traded their sixth-round selection (195th overall) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the Rams' second-round selection (56th overall) and cornerback E.J. Gaines. The Bills traded quarterback Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's third-round selection (65th). The Bills traded their third-round selection (85th overall), quarterback Cardale Jones and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers (234th overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The Bills traded cornerback Ronald Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's third-round selection (96th overall) and wide receiver Jordan Matthews. The Bills traded defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a conditional sixth-round selection, which became a fifth-round selection (166th overall) after Dareus remained on Jacksonville's roster for the remainder of the 2017 season and the Jaguars made the playoffs. The Bills traded their seventh-round selection (239th overall) to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for linebacker Lerentee McCray.
Trades Player/picks acquired From Date traded Players/picks traded Source 2018 3rd-round pick (65th overall) Cleveland Browns March 14, 2018 QB Tyrod Taylor 2018 1st-round pick (12th overall) 2018 6th-round pick (187th overall) Cincinnati Bengals March 14, 2018 T Cordy Glenn2018 1st-round pick (21st overall)2018 5th-round pick (158th overall) WR Corey Coleman Cleveland Browns August 5, 2018 2020 7th-round pick 2019 5th-round pick Oakland Raiders September 1, 2018 QB A. J. McCarron
Undrafted free agents Name Position College Gerhard de Beer Tackle Arizona Mat Boesen Defensive end TCU Ike Boettger Guard Iowa Ryan Carter Cornerback Clemson Tyler Davis Kicker Penn State Keith Ford Running back Texas A&M Robert Foster Wide receiver Alabama Mike Love Defensive end South Florida Zach Olstad Fullback Winona State Mo Porter Offensive Linemen Baylor Corey Thompson Linebacker LSU Levi Wallace Cornerback Alabama
Staff
Final roster
Preseason The Bills' preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 11, 2018. For the first time since 2001, the Detroit Lions, who the Bills played in Week 15, were not included on the preseason schedule. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Carolina Panthers L 23–28 0–1 New Era Field Recap 2 at Cleveland Browns W 19–17 1–1 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap 3 August 26 Cincinnati Bengals L 13–26 1–2 New Era Field Recap 4 at Chicago Bears W 28–27 2–2 Soldier Field Recap
Regular season
Schedule The Bills' 2018 schedule was announced on April 19, 2018. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 9 at Baltimore Ravens L 3–47 0–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 2 September 16 Los Angeles Chargers L 20–31 0–2 New Era Field Recap 3 September 23 at Minnesota Vikings W 27–6 1–2 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap 4 September 30 at Green Bay Packers L 0–22 1–3 Lambeau Field Recap 5 October 7 Tennessee Titans W 13–12 2–3 New Era Field Recap 6 October 14 at Houston Texans L 13–20 2–4 NRG Stadium Recap 7 October 21 at Indianapolis Colts L 5–37 2–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 8 New England Patriots L 6–25 2–6 New Era Field Recap 9 November 4 Chicago Bears L 9–41 2–7 New Era Field Recap 10 November 11 at New York Jets W 41–10 3–7 MetLife Stadium Recap 11 Bye 12 November 25 Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–21 4–7 New Era Field Recap 13 December 2 at Miami Dolphins L 17–21 4–8 Hard Rock Stadium Recap 14 December 9 New York Jets L 23–27 4–9 New Era Field Recap 15 December 16 Detroit Lions W 14–13 5–9 New Era Field Recap 16 December 23 at New England Patriots L 12–24 5–10 Gillette Stadium Recap 17 December 30 Miami Dolphins W 42–17 6–10 New Era Field Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens
Played in heavy rain, the lopsided game saw a dominant performance from Ravens QB Joe Flacco, who completed 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns against the Bills defense before handing the reigns off to rookie Lamar Jackson. Buffalo was unable to keep pace on offense, finishing without a first down until the third quarter. Bills QB Nathan Peterman completed just 5/18 attempts for 24 yards and two interceptions, good for a 0.0 passer rating before being benched for rookie Josh Allen in the third quarter. With a final score of 47–3 in favor of Baltimore, Buffalo suffered its worst season-opening loss ever and opened the 2018 season 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
QB Josh Allen made his first career start in place of Nathan Peterman. This was also CB Vontae Davis' last game in the NFL as he abruptly retired during halftime after 10 seasons. Veteran LB Lorenzo Alexander called Davis' decision "disrespectful" and that he had "never seen it, ever." Star RB LeSean McCoy left the game after suffering a strained rib muscle early in the second half.
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
In Josh Allen's second NFL start, he went 15/22 for 196 yards and a TD, earning him a 111.2 passer rating. He also added 39 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The defense also sacked Vikings QB Kirk Cousins four times and intercepted him once. The Bills won this game despite being 16.5-point betting underdogs.
Week 4: at Green Bay Packers
Despite holding the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers offense to just 22 points and forcing two turnovers, which included a Jordan Poyer interception, the Bills were unable to garner any points. With the team's first shutout loss since 2008, Buffalo fell to 1–3.Packers put together complete effort in 22-0 win over Bills
Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans
With RB LeSean McCoy back to full health, the Bills maintained a run-heavy offensive game plan. QB Josh Allen scored his third rushing touchdown of the season and the Bills held the Titans offense, led by QB Marcus Mariota, in check in a defensive battle, aided by a Taron Johnson interception in the second quarter. The Bills maintained the lead throughout the game until the fourth quarter, but sealed the win with a 46-yard Steven Hauschka FG as time expired, improving the Bills to 2–3 on the season.
Week 6: at Houston Texans
The Bills defense only allowed 216 yards from the Texans offense, sacking QB Deshaun Watson seven times and forcing three turnovers, but an inept performance by special teams gave the Texans good field position in the first half as Houston jumped to a 10–0 halftime lead. After leading the Bills to a field goal and moving the offense back into Texans territory a few drives later, Josh Allen was injured by a late hit from Texans LB Whitney Mercilus and was replaced by Nathan Peterman, who put the Bills in the lead with a touchdown pass to WR Zay Jones. However, after Houston tied the game at 13–13 late in the fourth quarter, Peterman threw two interceptions, including a pick-six to Texans CB Johnathan Joseph, which sealed the loss for Buffalo, dropping the team to 2–4.
Week 7: at Indianapolis Colts
After Allen's injury in the previous game against the Texans and Peterman's poor performance in his relief, recently signed third-stringer Derek Anderson was named the starter on October 17, 2018. Sadly, not even Anderson could help the Bills, who suffered their worst loss since Week 1, as they were on the wrong end of a final score of 37–5, dropping to 2–5. This was the first NFL game to ever end in the score of 37–5.
Week 8: vs. New England Patriots