THE AFL 1960–69: A RETROSPECTIVE
1964: Bills Became First AFL Team to Win With Dominant Defense
Teams like Houston and San Diego won AFL titles with wide-open offenses, but Buffalo broke that mold
During the first four years of its existence, the AFL had become known as a wide-open, offensive-minded freak show. Teams such as the 1961 Oilers who scored a pro football record 513 points and the 1963 Chargers who scored 399 with a remarkable array of talent did most of the winning as defenses struggled mightily to catch up.
But in 1964, things began to change thanks to the Buffalo Bills. Lou Saban had begun turning this team around when he came to town in 1962, and after the disappointing playoff loss to Boston in 1963, the Bills were primed to grab the AFL by its throat and literally strangle it in 1964.
The Bills set a pro football record by allowing just 913 yards rushing, an average of 65 yards per game. They led the AFL in fewest points allowed (242), first downs allowed (206), most sacks (50) and most interceptions (34).
“They were a good, smart defense,” said Boston’s Gino Cappelletti. “They were systemized. They always had people in the right positions.”
