Throwback Ten: Week 11

Each week throughout the 2015 NFL Season, ProFootballHOF.com will preserve some history by taking a look back at a matchup from the weekend’s schedule.

The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills battle for the second time this season. The Bills will try to avenge their 40-32 loss to the Patriots at home during week two this Monday night. The Patriots look to remain as the only undefeated team in AFC.

To help put this Sunday afternoon’s matchup into perspective, here are ten quick historical notes about the Bills-Patriots series.

1.

The rivalry goes back to the start of the American Football League in 1960 when both clubs were charter members of the upstart league. The Patriots lead the series record 68-42-1.

2.

The Patriots defeated the Bills in the first ever AFL game on July 30, 1960

3.

The Patriots’ single-game franchise records for receiving yards and receptions were set and tied respectively against the Bill on Sept. 25, 2011. Wes Welker dominated the Buffalo secondary with 16 receptions for 217 yards and 2 TDs. (link the Receiving yards records by team)

4.

The Bills and Patriots have only met once in the postseason. New England cruised to a 26-8 victory in the 1963 AFL Eastern Division Playoff.

5.

Tom Brady has beaten Buffalo 24 times during his NFL career. That total is second all-time against a single opponent. Brett Favre, who was among 108 modern era nominees for the Class of 2016, holds the record with 26 wins against the Detroit Lions. The modern-era semifinalist will be announced next week

6.

The Patriots exploded for 45 points in the second half of their 52-28 victory on Sept. 30, 2012. The offensive explosion help New England become just the second team (Green Bay in 2008 was the first) in NFL history to have two players rush for 100 yards (Brandon Bolden and Stephen Ridley) and two players with 100 receiving yards in the same game (Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski).

7.

The 466 yards passing by Brady on Sept. 20, 2015 were the second-most in his career and the most ever given up against a Buffalo defense. Brady eclipsed the previous high of 464 by Hall of Famer George Blanda of the Oakland Raiders in 1961.

8.

The teams combined for 62 first downs in a 35-27 Buffalo victory on Nov. 11, 2012. The combined first downs rank second all-time in the NFL for a single game.

9.

O.J. Simpson ran for a total of 469 yards in the Bills’ two games against the Patriots during the 1973 season. Those two performances were instrumental in Simpson becoming the first player in league history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a season.  

10.

The two franchises played a game that was very likely the last  game in NFL history that wasn't televised. The game, originally scheduled for Friday night in Boston on Oct. 18, 1961, was rescheduled due to inclement weather from Hurricane Gerda. There was no television coverage of the contest when it was finally played two days later.