4 most underrated teams in Buffalo Bills’ franchise history

2004 season

At first glance, it might be strange to see a team that finished 9-7 be included as an underrated Bills team. However, there is a reason why this squad deserves to be in the conversation. Statistically speaking, the 2004 Bills are the best team in NFL history to not make the playoffs, according to Football Outsiders.

Looking past the final record, the 2004 Bills did pretty well on both sides of the ball. The offense scored the seventh most points in the NFL, and the defense was ranked 2nd in terms of total yardage. Buffalo’s defense was first in takeaways, with 39, and only gave up 29 touchdowns – third in the league.

What’s even more, Pro Football Reference gave this team an expected W-L of 11.0-5.0, and an SRS (simple rating system) of 8.05. So essentially, Buffalo could’ve very well finished the season with more than just nine wins.

Well, that would’ve been the case if not for a fateful season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Needing to win against the Steelers to secure a playoff spot, the Bills inexplicably lost to Pittsburgh’s third-stringers as running back Willie Parker ran all over Buffalo’s defense.

2004 could’ve been the Bills’ biggest chance to make the playoffs, but a heartbreaking 29-24 loss to end the season crushed any playoff aspirations.

Ranking the four best seasons by Buffalo Bills wide receivers in franchise history

The Buffalo Bills have seen many good-to-great receivers come and go in Western New York over the years. What receiver had the best individual season?