BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With March Madness underway, News 4 got in the spirit with its own bracket for Western New Yorkers to vote in via Twitter.
The “Buffalo’s Favorite Drought-Era Bills Player” bracket kicked off with 36 players from the 2000-2016 seasons who never played on any Bills playoff team, so players like Tyrod Taylor, Kyle Williams, and Peerless Price were not included.
The play-in round took place March 13, round one took place March 14 and 15, with rounds two through five running from March 16-23. The full bracket can be seen below and voting results from each round can be found at the bottom of the page.
Champion
Ryan Fitzpatrick

Full bracket
Round 5 (March 22)
(1) Ryan Fitzpatrick – 61.4% vs. (1) Fred Jackson – 38.6%
391 votes


Round 4 (March 21)
(1) Ryan Fitzpatrick – 83.8% vs. (1) Stevie Johnson – 16.2%
481 votes


(1) Fred Jackson – 93.2% vs. (1) Lee Evans – 6.8%
442 votes


Round 3 (March 20)
FITZMAGIC DIVISION
(1) Ryan Fitzpatrick – 91.9% vs. (3) Aaron Schobel – 8.1%
172 votes


“WHY SO SERIOUS?” DIVISION
(1) Stevie Johnson – 83.0% vs. (6) Takeo Spikes -17.0%
200 votes


BEAST MODE DIVISION
(1) Fred Jackson – 78.2% vs. (3) Marshawn Lynch – 21.8%
444 votes


UNCLE RICO DIVISION
(1) Lee Evans – 83.8% vs. (3) Jason Peters – 16.2%
364 votes


Round 2 (March 16)
FITZMAGIC DIVISION
(1) Ryan Fitzpatrick – 95.3% vs. (5) Rian Lindell – 4.7%
337 votes


(2) Nate Clements – 40.3% vs. (3) Aaron Schobel – 59.7%
424 votes


“WHY SO SERIOUS?” DIVISION
(1) Stevie Johnson – 90.3% vs. (4) Aaron Williams – 9.7%
289 votes


(6) Takeo Spikes – 70.6% vs. (7) Robert Woods – 29.4%
279 votes


BEAST MODE DIVISION
(1) Fred Jackson – 87.0% vs. (4) Brian Moorman – 13%
300 votes


(2) London Fletcher – 44.7% vs. (3) Marshawn Lynch – 55.3%
302 votes


UNCLE RICO DIVISION
(1) Lee Evans – 80.8% vs. (4) Terrence McGee – 19.2%
360 votes


(3) Jason Peters – 54.7% vs. (7) Kyle Orton – 45.3%
358 votes


Round 1 (March 14-15)
FITZMAGIC DIVISION
(1) Ryan Fitzpatrick – 96.7% vs. (8) Angelo Crowell – 3.3%
151 votes


(4) Scott Chandler – 49.4% vs. (5) Ryan Lindell – 50.6%
166 votes


(3) Aaron Schobel – 61.3% vs. (6) Mario Williams – 38.8%
160 votes


(2) Nate Clements – 56.8% vs. (7) Paul Posluszny – 43.2%
155 votes


“WHY SO SERIOUS?” DIVISION
(1) Stevie Johnson – 95.8% vs. (8) Trent Edwards – 4.2%
192 votes


(4) Aaron Williams – 73.5% vs. (5) Roscoe Parrish – 26.5%
283 votes


(3) Sam Adams – 28.2% vs. (6) Takeo Spikes – 71.8%
294 votes


(2) Jairus Byrd – 37.7% vs. (7) Robert Woods – 62.3%
175 votes


BEAST MODE DIVISION
(1) Fred Jackson – 94.7% vs. (8) Willis McGahee – 5.3%
133 votes


(4) Brian Moorman – 81.6% vs. (5) Terrell Owens – 18.4%
125 votes


(3) Marshawn Lynch – 89.2% vs. (6) Naaman Roosevelt – 10.8%
120 votes


(2) London Fletcher – 82.4% vs. (7) Sammy Watkins – 17.6%
125 votes


UNCLE RICO DIVISION
(1) Lee Evans – 84.6% vs. (8) JP Losman – 15.4%
123 votes


(4) Terrence McGee – 54.3% vs. (5) Drew Bledsoe – 45.7%
221 votes


(3) Jason Peters – 52.4% vs. (6) Chris Kelsay – 47.6%
225 votes


(2) Coy Wire – 47.6% vs. (7) Kyle Orton – 52.4%
126 votes


Play-in round (March 13)
Mario Williams – 54.2% v. CJ Spiller – 45.8%
179 votes


Robert Woods – 75.5% v. Josh Reed – 24.5%
184 votes


Corey Graham – 42.4% vs. Naaman Roosevelt – 57.6%
177 votes


EJ Manuel – 34.0% vs. JP Losman – 66.0%
268 votes


Adam Duke is a digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of his work here.