The 1968 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s ninth season.
The Bills' 1–12–1 record in 1968 (a 0.107 winning percentage) is the second-worst in team history: the 1971 Bills went 1–13. They were one of only two teams in AFL history (the other being the 1962 Oakland Raiders) to finish the season with only one victory. The record landed the Bills with the first overall pick in the draft, which they used to take 1968 Heisman Trophy winner O. J. Simpson from USC.
The Bills, coming off a 4–10 season in 1967, fired coach Joe Collier after an 0–2 start in 1968. Defensive backfield coach Harvey Johnson was promoted to interim head coach,Johnson would be promoted to head coach again before the 1971 season where he went 1–10–1 to finish the year.Johnson resumed his defensive coaching duties under John Rauch in 1969, but would later be promoted to head coach again for one year in 1971.
With the release of running back Wray Carlton, wide receiver Elbert Dubenion was the last player from the Bills' original roster in 1960 to still be with the team.
The majority of Buffalo's games were started by backup quarterback Dan Darragh, after injuries claimed the seasons of long-time starter Jack Kemp and new addition Tom Flores. Even Darragh and new addition Kay Stephenson were injured. Ultimately, running back Ed Rutkowski, who hadn't played the quarterback position since college six years prior, ended up starting at quarterback for the Bills.[Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition, p.144, Martin's Press, August 1994,
Buffalo's only win of the season was a home victory over the New York Jets, who eventually went on to win Super Bowl III. In that game, the Bills held a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter before giving up two late touchdowns to the Jets. Ultimately, the Bills were able to hold on to the two-point win.Pro-Football-Reference: New York Jets 35 at Buffalo Bills 37, Sunday, September 29, 1968 Through the 2025 season, this is the only instance in which a team that had only 1 win have that win come against the eventual Super Bowl champion.
Offseason August 24: Bills sign fullback Wayne Patrick.Rockin’ the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, p.392, Jeffrey J. Miller, ECW Press, 2007, August 27: Bills acquire quarterback (and future Bills head coach) Kay Stephenson from the San Diego Chargers for a Fifth Round Pick. August 28: Bills acquire fullback Bob Cappadona from the Boston Patriots for a ninth round draft pick. September 2: The Bills cut running backs Wray Carlton, wide receiver Ed Rutkowski (who would return later in the season as a quarterback), tight end Charley Ferguson and defensive tackle Dudley Meredith.Rockin’ the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, p.393, Jeffrey J. Miller, ECW Press, 2007,
AFL draft
Personnel Coaches/Staff 1968 Buffalo Bills staff Front office Majority Owner/President – Ralph Wilson Vice President and General Manager – Bob Lustig Vice President/Minority Owner – Pat McGroder
Coaching staff Head Coach - Joe Collier (fired earlier in season) Interim Head Coach - Harvey Johnson
Offensive coaches Wide Receivers - John Mazur & Bob Celeri Offensive Backfield Coach - John Mazur Offensive Line – Jerry Smith & Marvin Bass
Defensive coaches Defensive Backfield – Richie McCabe Kickers - Harvey Johnson Source: https://pro-football-history.com/franchise/7/buffalo-bills-coaches
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 August 5 Detroit Lions W 13–9 1–0 War Memorial StadiumRecap 2 August 11 Miami Dolphins T 28–281–0–1 War Memorial StadiumRecap 3 August 17 Cincinnati Bengals L 6–10 1–1–1 Nippert StadiumRecap 4 August 23 Houston Oilers L 7–37 1–2–1 AstrodomeRecap 5 August 30 Cleveland Browns L 12–221–3–1 War Memorial StadiumRecap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 8 Boston Patriots L 7–16 0–1 War Memorial Stadium Recap 2 September 15 Oakland Raiders L 6–480–2 War Memorial Stadium Recap 3 September 22 at Cincinnati Bengals L 23–34 0–3Nippert Stadium Recap 4 September 29 New York Jets W 37–351–3 War Memorial Stadium Recap 5 October 5 Kansas City Chiefs L 7–18 1–4 War Memorial Stadium Recap 6 October 12 at Miami Dolphins T 14–141–4–1Miami Orange Bowl Recap 7 October 20 at Boston Patriots L 6–231–5–1Fenway Park Recap 8 October 27 Houston Oilers L 7–301–6–1 War Memorial Stadium Recap 9 November 3 at New York Jets L 21–251–7–1Shea Stadium Recap 10 November 10 Miami Dolphins L 17–23 1–8–1 War Memorial Stadium Recap 11 November 17 San Diego Chargers L 6–211–9–1 War Memorial Stadium Recap 12 November 24 at Denver Broncos L 32–34 1–10–1 Mile High Stadium Recap 13 November 28 at Oakland Raiders L 10-13 1–11–1Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Recap 14 December 7 at Houston OilersL 6–351–12–1Astrodome Recap
Standings
Game summaries
Week 12 vs. Raiders
Thanksgiving Day
Awards and Records Bob Kalsu, Team Rookie of the YearRockin’ the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, p.513, Jeffrey J. Miller, ECW Press, 2007,
References
Further reading
Jeffrey J. Miller, Rockin' the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League. Toronto, ON: ECW Press, 2007. Jeffrey J. Miller and Greg D. Tranter, Relics: The History of The Buffalo Bills in Objects and Memorabilia. Haworth, NJ: St. Johann Press, 2021. Sal Maiorana, Buffalo Bills: The Complete Illustrated History. Minneapolis, MN: MVP Books, 2010.