The Buffalo Bills aren’t only battling the rest of the AFC in trying to get to the postseason in 2016. As much as they want to say it has nothing to do with it, they’re battling their own history, too.
The now 16-year playoff drought is felt all over the city of Buffalo. It’s hardened the fan base. It’s turned them into a mainly pessimistic group that uses sarcasm to get through the pains of a season, and the same group that finds the most optimism in the months leading up to the NFL Draft almost yearly.
Out of the four major professional sports leagues, only 10 franchises have a playoff drought of 10-plus seasons.