I wanted to honor the Buffalo Bills of the early nineties earlier this month. Specifically, I wanted to do so on the anniversary of the "Greatest Comeback in NFL History," which fell on January 3, 1993. It was a wildcard game, and I watched it live on television. Actually, I was in New York state at the time, although in Liberty, NY, and nowhere near Orchard Park. I remember it was an icy day, and I went for a walk, sliding around (the cars were sliding dangerously, as well).
A lot of people forget, but the Oilers had beaten the Bills in a blowout the week before, 27-3. But that had been in Houston, and this playoff game was going to be up in frigid Buffalo. Yes, the Bills had played poorly against the Oilers the weekend before, but surely, they would get big time revenge in this game. At least, that was what I expected, and probably what most people expected, as well. After all, the Bills had been the AFC champions two years running, and they had very nearly won the whole things just two years before. And despite having lost the game against Houston to lose their shot at home field advantage, most everyone expected them to at least get past the Oilers, and probably to make another Super Bowl run.
But the Oilers came to play on that day! They picked up right where they had left off the previous week, as they built a lead, and kept padding it. They were leading 28-3 by halftime, completely dominating the Bills. And then, as Buffalo hoped to rally in the second half, Frank Reich threw a pick six, and Houston was then up, 35-3.
Now, I will admit that, at that point, I was completely shocked. Stunned, really. How could Buffalo not even put up a fight? This was how their terrific run was going to end, with a humiliating blowout loss at home to the same team that they had gotten blown out by the week before? I could hardly believe that the Oilers were dominating quite like this, but did not dare believe that the Bills would truly pull off the miracle of miracles and enjoy a record comeback for a win.
And yet, part of me remember a game that few people seem to remember these days. It happened earlier that season, and also involved one of the teams that would be in the Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys were trouncing the Giants at the Meadowlands, crushing them, 34-0. But the Giants began to rally, and kept scoring, while holding Dallas on defense. Suddenly, it was 34-28, and the Giants had the ball, with time running out. But they fell short, their final drive stalled, and I felt robbed.
As it turns out, the Bills would complete an epic comeback, and it began shortly after Houston's pick six touchdown to go up by 32 points in the third quarter. The Bills drove down the field and got a rushing touchdown, and fans in Orchard Park finally had a reason to celebrate. But the celebrations felt half-hearted, as that seemed to really be the first truly positive development for the home team that day. However, it would not be the last, and the celebrations would be much more spirited before long.
When Don Beebe caught a touchdown pass after stepping out of bounds (it should not have counted), the Bills had closed to within 35-17, and the fans sensed a huge shift in momentum had taken place. Then, Reich started hitting Andre Reed for touchdowns. Once. Twice. Then three times.
But this point, the Bills had, unbelievably, taken the lead, 38-35. The Oilers were able to stop the bleeding, at least temporarily, and kicked a tying field goal to force overtime.
Once there, however, Houston stumbled again. Warren Moon threw an interception, and the Bills were almost already in field goal range. Back then, it was still sudden death, and so shortly later, Buffalo lined up for the game winning kick. It did not go wide right, but split the uprights, and Buffalo had a victory for the ages. It was the single greatest victory that the Bills had during that incredible era, and probably ranks as the best win in franchise history. How could it not?
The Bills got hot, beating Pittsburgh the next weekend, and then crushing Miami in the AFC title game, although of course, once again, they fell short - way short this time - in the Super Bowl.
A lot of people are critical of the Buffalo Bills during that era. There is that joke that the team name of Bills stands for:
However, going to four straight Super Bowls stands as a record that no other franchise can boast, and most likely will not be eclipsed anytime in the near future. Plus, there was that epic comeback, which further distinguishes those Bills as one of the great and most accomplished teams of all time!
This blog entry is in tribute to them, and honors their finest moment!
But the Oilers came to play on that day! They picked up right where they had left off the previous week, as they built a lead, and kept padding it. They were leading 28-3 by halftime, completely dominating the Bills. And then, as Buffalo hoped to rally in the second half, Frank Reich threw a pick six, and Houston was then up, 35-3.
Now, I will admit that, at that point, I was completely shocked. Stunned, really. How could Buffalo not even put up a fight? This was how their terrific run was going to end, with a humiliating blowout loss at home to the same team that they had gotten blown out by the week before? I could hardly believe that the Oilers were dominating quite like this, but did not dare believe that the Bills would truly pull off the miracle of miracles and enjoy a record comeback for a win.
And yet, part of me remember a game that few people seem to remember these days. It happened earlier that season, and also involved one of the teams that would be in the Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys were trouncing the Giants at the Meadowlands, crushing them, 34-0. But the Giants began to rally, and kept scoring, while holding Dallas on defense. Suddenly, it was 34-28, and the Giants had the ball, with time running out. But they fell short, their final drive stalled, and I felt robbed.
As it turns out, the Bills would complete an epic comeback, and it began shortly after Houston's pick six touchdown to go up by 32 points in the third quarter. The Bills drove down the field and got a rushing touchdown, and fans in Orchard Park finally had a reason to celebrate. But the celebrations felt half-hearted, as that seemed to really be the first truly positive development for the home team that day. However, it would not be the last, and the celebrations would be much more spirited before long.
When Don Beebe caught a touchdown pass after stepping out of bounds (it should not have counted), the Bills had closed to within 35-17, and the fans sensed a huge shift in momentum had taken place. Then, Reich started hitting Andre Reed for touchdowns. Once. Twice. Then three times.
But this point, the Bills had, unbelievably, taken the lead, 38-35. The Oilers were able to stop the bleeding, at least temporarily, and kicked a tying field goal to force overtime.
Once there, however, Houston stumbled again. Warren Moon threw an interception, and the Bills were almost already in field goal range. Back then, it was still sudden death, and so shortly later, Buffalo lined up for the game winning kick. It did not go wide right, but split the uprights, and Buffalo had a victory for the ages. It was the single greatest victory that the Bills had during that incredible era, and probably ranks as the best win in franchise history. How could it not?
The Bills got hot, beating Pittsburgh the next weekend, and then crushing Miami in the AFC title game, although of course, once again, they fell short - way short this time - in the Super Bowl.
A lot of people are critical of the Buffalo Bills during that era. There is that joke that the team name of Bills stands for:
Boy
I
Love
Losing
Super Bowls!
However, going to four straight Super Bowls stands as a record that no other franchise can boast, and most likely will not be eclipsed anytime in the near future. Plus, there was that epic comeback, which further distinguishes those Bills as one of the great and most accomplished teams of all time!
This blog entry is in tribute to them, and honors their finest moment!
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