I was 11. The Music City Miracle. On January 8, 2000, the Buffalo Bills lost to the Tennessee Titans 22-16 in Nashville, which would prove to be the last playoff game the Bills would participate in for 18 seasons.
The Bills were a much different team then. Coming off a great spell that started in the late 80s with the Jim Kelly era, optimism was still rife with the fan base. They had finished 11-5 – the best they have since – and seemed to be on the right trajectory. Rob Johnson showed potential at quarterback, and Doug Flutie was dependable fan favorite. Little did fans know that a last minute contentious play would see their fate for over a decade.
Buffalo up 16-15 after a late field goal, Steve Christy kicked a ‘blooper’ to the Tirana’s Frank Wycheck. Momentum shifting toward the player, he threw a pass to wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who would return it for a game winning touchdown. Coach Wade Phillips argued that the pass was a forward lateral, but to no avail. Bills lost to a record crowd in the then Adelphia Colosseum (a name in which) Buffalo Sabres fans will certainly find irony.)
Front office drama would later ensue. Coach Phillips would be fired the next season because of internal politics, and Doug Flutie was sent to San Diego. It was rumored that Flutie’s benching for Johnson was ordered by owner Ralph Phillips. Further rumors state Flutie’s father “cursed” the team to miss the playoffs for his lifetime (which coincidentally they did). Rob Johnson would later prove a flop, and the following season finished 8-8, followed by a dismal 3-13.
The ‘Aughts’ were a decade of misery at One Bills Drive. A winning record was posted once, a paltry 9-7, and posted 7 losing campaigns. Several coaching and quarterback changes later, the 2010’s hope was deflated.
2010 brought more of the same. The team continued to finish in the cellar of the division, but never finish low enough for a high draft pick. Divisional rivals, The New England Patriots would continue to dominate for years to come, winning 6 Super Bowls, and appearing in another 3. At least the misery was being shared by the other 2 rivals, New York and Miami, by this point.
Bills Mafia, as the fan base because known, had become accustomed to a new coach every 3 years or so, rinse and repeat. The quarterback question never seemed to be solved, with a handful of failed prospects and free agents. The fan base resorted to destroying outdoor furniture and their livers.
Now this leads to this weekend. In 4 days shy of 20 years, the team will face off in Houston against the Texans, Saturday, January 4th. It’s a new decade, and a much different team. Being only the second playoff game since that dreaded “forward lateral”, a lot of expectations are being laid. Third year Head Coach in Sean McDermott, and quarterback Josh Allen in his sophomore season have yet to show us their ceiling. As a Bills fan, it’s something to look forward to. Just don’t take it to the bank yet.
Rustbelt Sports 