Buffalo Bills: Top 5 Franchise Records Unlikely to Ever be Beaten
By Paul Taylor
5) Bill Atkins & Tom Janik: Single season interception record (10)
Most of the younger generations of Bills’ fans will be unfamiliar with Atkins and Janik, who both played in Buffalo during the 1960s. However, each player left their mark on the franchise, despite only spending three and four seasons respectively with the team.
Atkins first spell with the Bills was particularly noteworthy (he returned in 1963, but only played in one game). His versatility saw him feature as a cornerback, safety, kicker and punter and he was selected as an AFL All-Star in 1961.
Janik played nine seasons in the AFL/NFL, with his most productive period coming with the Bills, between 1965-68. In that time, he was twice named as an AFL All-Star and won the AFL Championship in 1965.
Despite not playing together in Buffalo, the two players are linked by the fact they share the team record for most interceptions in a season. The mark of 10 picks was set by Atkins in 1961, and then equaled by Janik in 1967.
People may question this record being on our list and believe 10 interceptions doesn’t sound too significant (Antonio Cromartie reached this mark as recently as 2007). However, we don’t envision any Bill ever topping it, especially when you consider no NFL player has picked off 11 passes since Everson Walls did it…35 years ago.