1960 - First Season
5-8-1 record, third place of four in AFL East, sixth of eight in AFL
The first regular season game in Bills history was played on September 11, 1960, at the New York Titans. The Titans won 27-3 largely due to the fact the Bills passing attack garnered only 52 yards while going 5 for 23 in the air. The first home game in Bills history took place on September 18, a 27-21 loss to the Denver Broncos at War Memorial Stadium (a.k.a "The Rockpile") and was highlighted by two 40+ yard touchdown receptions by Bills wideout Elbert Dubenion. Less than a week later on September 23, the Bills earned their first win by blanking the Boston Patriots 13-0 thanks in large part to seven Patriot turnovers.
The Bills struggled on the field and the new league struggled off it. The Oakland Raiders, for instance, lost $500,000 in their first year and only survived after receiving a $400,000 loan from Wilson. On the year, the Bills ranked next to last in points scored, last in yards gained, and in the bottom half of the league in virtually every offensive statistic. Four different quarterbacks started a game for the Bills that year and combined for a lowly 41.2% completion percentage. The defense was much better than the offense, ranking in the top half of the league in every defensive statistic and first overall in yardage allowed. The Bills' first All-Pro selection came from this defense when middle linebacker Archie Matsos was awarded the honor for recording eight interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.