The 1974 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 5th season in the National Football League, and the 15th overall. Buffalo made the NFL playoffs for the first time and reached the postseason for the first time in eight seasons. In the divisional playoffs the Bills lost to the eventual champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, 32âÂÂ14, in Pittsburgh.
As it turned out, this was running back O. J. Simpson's only playoff appearance of his career. Buffalo did not make the playoffs again until 1980, by which time OJ had been traded to the 49ers. In his 2 seasons in San Francisco, the 49ers finished with 2-14 records and missed the playoffs, which was followed by Simpson announcing his retirement from the NFL. In his only playoff game, Simpson finished with 49 rushing yards on 11 carries and 0 touchdowns, though he did catch a touchdown pass from Joe Ferguson in the 3rd quarter.
Buffalo debuted their new uniforms and helmets in 1974, replacing the red "standing buffalo" with the "streaking bison." This updated look was first displayed before a national audience on the first Monday Night Football game of the season, in a dramatic 21âÂÂ20 victory over Oakland.
Simpson, coming off consecutive rushing titles, did not lead the league in 1974, but did cross the 1,000-yard barrier despite a sore knee.
Buffalo's defense was far more stout than it had been in previous years, as it gave up 3,489 yards in 1974, fifth-fewest in the NFL. The Bills' 1,611 passing yards allowed were the third-best in the league.
The 1974 Bills have the odd distinction of being the last team to go a full game without completing a pass, in Week Three of the season against the New York Jets. Despite this, they still managed to defeat the Jets, behind 223 combined Buffalo rushing yardsâÂÂas well as only 2 completions by Jets quarterback Joe Namath in 18 attempts.
Oklahoma State tight end Reuben Gant played his entire seven-year career with the Bills. Quarterback Gary Marangi was the Bills' backup quarterback for three seasons; in 1976, he started the final seven games of the season when starter Joe Ferguson was injured for the season with a back injury.