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Buffalo Bills: Reliving The Historic 2015 Season

Trends January 10, 2025

What was the 2015 Buffalo Bills season like?

The 2015 Buffalo Bills season was a tumultuous one for the team. After starting the season 0-2, the Bills fired head coach Rex Ryan and replaced him with interim head coach Anthony Lynn. Under Lynn, the Bills went 6-4, but they ultimately missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record.

One of the biggest storylines of the season was the play of quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor, who was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason, had a breakout season, passing for 3,035 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also rushed for 568 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Despite Taylor's success, the Bills' offense struggled at times, particularly in the red zone. The team also had a number of injuries, including to key players like running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver Sammy Watkins.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bills were led by a young and talented group of players. Linebacker Preston Brown led the team with 144 tackles, while cornerback Stephon Gilmore had 5 interceptions. The Bills' defense also forced 27 turnovers, which was tied for the most in the NFL.

Overall, the 2015 Buffalo Bills season was a disappointing one for the team. However, there were some positive signs, particularly from Taylor and the defense. The Bills are hoping to build on those positives in 2016 and make a run at the playoffs.

2015 Buffalo Bills Season

The 2015 Buffalo Bills season was a tumultuous one, but it also featured some positive signs. Here are seven key aspects of the season:

Coaching change
Tyrod Taylor's breakout
Offensive struggles
Injuries
Young defense
Forced turnovers
Missed playoffs

The Bills fired head coach Rex Ryan after starting the season 0-2 and replaced him with interim head coach Anthony Lynn. Under Lynn, the Bills went 6-4, but they ultimately missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record.

1. Coaching change

The coaching change was a major factor in the 2015 Buffalo Bills season. After starting the season 0-2, the Bills fired head coach Rex Ryan and replaced him with interim head coach Anthony Lynn. Lynn, who had previously been the Bills' offensive coordinator, brought a new energy and philosophy to the team.

Improved offensive performance
One of the most noticeable changes under Lynn was the improved performance of the Bills' offense. Under Ryan, the Bills' offense had been one of the worst in the NFL. However, under Lynn, the Bills' offense showed significant improvement, averaging over 100 more yards per game.
Increased player morale
Another positive change under Lynn was the increased player morale. Ryan was known for being a tough and demanding coach, and his players often seemed to be afraid of him. Lynn, on the other hand, was a more relaxed and approachable coach, and his players seemed to respond to him better.
Missed playoffs
Despite the positive changes under Lynn, the Bills ultimately missed the playoffs in 2015. The team finished with a 7-9 record, which was not good enough to qualify for a wild card berth.

Overall, the coaching change was a major factor in the 2015 Buffalo Bills season. The Bills showed significant improvement under Lynn, but they ultimately fell short of their goal of making the playoffs.

2. Tyrod Taylor's breakout

Tyrod Taylor's breakout season was a major factor in the 2015 Buffalo Bills season. After struggling in his first two seasons in the NFL, Taylor emerged as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league in 2015.

Taylor's success was due in part to his improved accuracy and decision-making. He also benefited from the Bills' improved offensive line, which gave him more time to throw and kept him upright. Taylor's mobility also played a major role in his success, as he was able to extend plays with his legs and pick up yards on the ground.

Taylor's breakout season had a major impact on the Bills' offense. The Bills averaged over 100 more yards per game in 2015 than they did in 2014, and they also scored more points per game. Taylor's success also helped the Bills to win more games, as they finished with a 7-9 record in 2015 after going 9-7 in 2014.

Taylor's breakout season was a major bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Bills. He emerged as a franchise quarterback and gave the Bills hope for the future. With Taylor leading the offense, the Bills are hoping to make a run at the playoffs in 2016.

3. Offensive struggles

The Buffalo Bills' offensive struggles were a major factor in the team's disappointing 2015 season. After finishing the 2014 season ranked 10th in the NFL in total offense, the Bills dropped to 22nd in 2015. The team's struggles were particularly evident in the passing game, where they ranked 29th in the NFL in passing yards per game.

There were a number of factors that contributed to the Bills' offensive struggles in 2015. One major factor was the team's lack of a consistent running game. The Bills finished the season ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, and their inability to establish a consistent running game made it difficult for the team to sustain drives and put points on the board.

Another major factor in the Bills' offensive struggles was the team's poor offensive line play. The Bills' offensive line was ranked 29th in the NFL in sacks allowed, and their inability to protect quarterback Tyrod Taylor made it difficult for the team to move the ball down the field.

The Bills' offensive struggles were a major disappointment for the team and its fans. After finishing the 2014 season with a 9-7 record and a playoff berth, the Bills were hoping to take the next step in 2015. However, the team's offensive struggles prevented them from reaching their goals.

4. Injuries

Injuries played a major role in the Buffalo Bills' disappointing 2015 season. The team was hit hard by injuries, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and tight end Charles Clay all missed significant time due to injuries.

The injuries to McCoy, Watkins, and Clay had a major impact on the Bills' offense. McCoy is one of the most productive running backs in the NFL, and his absence left a big hole in the Bills' backfield. Watkins is the Bills'receiver, and his absence left the team without a go-to target in the passing game. Clay is a versatile tight end who can both block and catch passes, and his absence hurt the Bills in both areas.

In addition to the injuries to McCoy, Watkins, and Clay, the Bills also had a number of other injuries to key players. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor missed two games due to a knee injury, and wide receiver Robert Woods missed four games due to a concussion. The Bills also had a number of injuries to their offensive line, which made it difficult for the team to protect Taylor and create running lanes for McCoy.

The Bills' injuries were a major factor in the team's disappointing 2015 season. The team was unable to overcome the loss of so many key players, and they ultimately finished with a 7-9 record.

5. Young defense

The Buffalo Bills' young defense was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 2015 season. The Bills finished the season ranked 12th in the NFL in total defense, and their defense played a major role in the team's seven wins.

The Bills' young defense was led by a number of talented players, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore, linebacker Preston Brown, and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. Gilmore had five interceptions in 2015, and he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Brown led the Bills with 144 tackles, and he was named to the All-Pro Second Team. Dareus had 10 sacks in 2015, and he was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career.

The Bills' young defense showed a lot of promise in 2015. The team was able to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and they were also able to force turnovers. The Bills' defense also played well in the red zone, and they were able to keep opponents out of the end zone.

The Bills' young defense is a major reason for optimism for the future. The team has a number of talented young players on defense, and they are all still developing. The Bills' defense should continue to improve in the years to come, and they could be one of the best defenses in the NFL in the near future.

6. Forced turnovers

Forced turnovers were a major component of the Buffalo Bills' success in the 2015 season. The Bills led the NFL in forced turnovers with 27, and their defense played a major role in the team's seven wins.

The Bills' defense was able to generate turnovers in a variety of ways. They had 15 interceptions, which was tied for the most in the NFL. They also had 12 fumble recoveries, which was tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. The Bills' defense was able to force turnovers in key situations, and they often gave the team's offense good field position.

The Bills' forced turnovers were a major factor in their success in the 2015 season. The team was able to win games by creating turnovers and giving their offense good field position. The Bills' defense is one of the most opportunistic in the NFL, and they are a major reason for the team's success.

7. Missed playoffs

The Buffalo Bills missed the playoffs in the 2015 season, finishing with a 7-9 record. This was a disappointing result for a team that had high expectations entering the season. The Bills had a talented roster, led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor, running back LeSean McCoy, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. However, the team struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout the season.

Injuries
The Bills were hit hard by injuries in 2015. McCoy, Watkins, and Clay all missed significant time due to injuries. These injuries had a major impact on the Bills' offense, which struggled to find consistency throughout the season.
Inconsistent play
The Bills also struggled with inconsistent play in 2015. The team would often play well in one game and then struggle the next. This inconsistency was particularly evident on the offensive side of the ball, where the Bills would often struggle to score points.
Tough schedule
The Bills also had a tough schedule in 2015. The team played six games against teams that finished the season with a winning record, including two games against the New England Patriots. The Bills also played four games in December, which is a difficult month to play in due to the cold weather.

Ultimately, the Bills missed the playoffs in 2015 due to a combination of injuries, inconsistent play, and a tough schedule. The team will need to address these issues in order to be successful in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2015 Buffalo Bills Season

The 2015 Buffalo Bills season was a disappointing one for the team, as they finished with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs. However, there were some positive signs, particularly from quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the defense. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the season:

Question 1: What were the major storylines of the season?

Answer: The major storylines of the season included the coaching change, Tyrod Taylor's breakout season, the offensive struggles, the injuries, the young defense, the forced turnovers, and the missed playoffs.

Question 2: What was the impact of the coaching change?

Answer: The coaching change had a major impact on the team. The Bills showed significant improvement under Lynn, but they ultimately fell short of their goal of making the playoffs.

Question 3: How did Tyrod Taylor perform in 2015?

Answer: Taylor had a breakout season in 2015, passing for 3,035 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also rushed for 568 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Question 4: What were the major factors that contributed to the Bills' offensive struggles?

Answer: The major factors that contributed to the Bills' offensive struggles were the lack of a consistent running game and the poor offensive line play.

Question 5: What was the impact of injuries on the Bills' season?

Answer: Injuries played a major role in the Bills' disappointing season. The team was hit hard by injuries, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Conclusion

The 2015 Buffalo Bills season was a disappointing one for the team, as they finished with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs. However, there were some positive signs, particularly from quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the defense. The Bills will need to address their offensive struggles and improve their consistency in order to be successful in the future.

The Bills have a talented roster, and they are led by a young and promising quarterback in Tyrod Taylor. The defense is also young and talented, and they have the potential to be one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Bills also have a new head coach in Sean McDermott, who has a reputation for being a good defensive coach. With McDermott at the helm, the Bills have the potential to be a playoff contender in the future.