\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S_A6aHt8H0 Parts 2 to 7 can be found on the right side of the page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corp000085 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Greatest football game ever, period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThurmasThoman Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Greatest football game ever, period. indeed. from a different era of NFL football. watching that video, on the drive that cut the score to 35-17, there was a beebe catch that would have been overturned and ruled a fumble by modern day instant replay a beebe spike of the ball after a drop that would have been flagged for delay of game or unsportsmanlike conduct by todays officials and beebe clearly stepped out of bounds before catching the td, which would have been overturned by instant replay i have long been an opponent of instant replay, and this video may be my prime example of why. although its the "greatest comeback ever," really, it was the oilers playing a great half of football, then the bills playing a great half of football. you can feel the "momentum" ( a tricky concept to define,) changing with every successful play in that game. kenneth davis running for a first down when we were still down 35-10 elicited a monster fist pump from kent hull: when was the last time you saw a bills O line man celebrating a first down run at midfield? that day was magical, a game the league as a whole still remembers 20 years later. a game that couldnt even exist in todays NFL. magic like that requires illusion and slight of hand, like beebe stepping out by half an inch before catching a touchdown. he was still covered by the corner, the spirit of the play remained unchanged. in todays nfl, that play would be nullified, that comeback wouldnt happen. the nfl has sacrificed the magical and the impossible, to replace it with "perfection." you tell me whats better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-8 Forever? Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Greatest football game ever, period. livin in the past Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Can't ever lie. I was like 10 and the game wasn't on TV. So I went outside with my friends and played hockey until the 3rd quarter. When they started coming back, I jumped right back on the bandwagon and listened to Van. I love all technology now, but there was nothing better than the whole family listening to one of the greatest games called by one of the greatest announcers ever by radio. And I still believe the bills win the SB if they started Reich. He was Tebow without the fanfare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloWings Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 True story...I had been recording every Bills playoff game (in my lifetime) and at halftime of this game, I stopped the VCR with no intention of restarting it. My mother suggested I keep recording, so I did. Good thing... I also recorded a piece by NBC run a week later showing how many plays that went the Bills' way in the second half. Had any one of those plays gone Houston's way, the outcome of the game would likely have been different. A pass by Reich to Metzelaars that went through the hands of a Houston LB, the Beebe non-fumble, Beebe stepping out of bounds on the TD, a hold by Talley in OT that led to Odomes' INT, etc. What I loved about the comeback was how it was primarily the backups (Reich, Kenneth Davis, Beebe) that led the charge while the starters (Kelly, Thurman) were all cheerleaders on the sidelines. Andre Reed played a huge part, obviously, but Reich & Davis were the big players. You hardly even heard from Bruce Smith that game (save for a costly roughing the passer), since Darryl Talley, Carlton Bailey, and Mark Kelso were all making plays. It really was a great half by Houston, then a great half by Buffalo. And I still believe the bills win the SB if they started Reich. He was Tebow without the fanfare. I doubt it. Reich was the master of preparation, but Dallas had everything going for them in that game. Don't forget that Kelly started the AFC Championship against Miami and played well. Why do you say Reich was Tebow? Tim Tebow's got nothing on Frank Reich - two different types of QBs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Remember when we didn't suck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRH Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I doubt it. Reich was the master of preparation, but Dallas had everything going for them in that game. Don't forget that Kelly started the AFC Championship against Miami and played well. Why do you say Reich was Tebow? Tim Tebow's got nothing on Frank Reich - two different types of QBs. Tebow could not carry Reich's jock as a QB. That said, we weren't beating Dallas with any quarterback. Like JJ said at halftime of that game, "We're not Houston." He was right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanC883 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Great game. Bebee TD may have been overturned, but we could have got a TD on that drive anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 True story...I had been recording every Bills playoff game (in my lifetime) and at halftime of this game, I stopped the VCR with no intention of restarting it. My mother suggested I keep recording, so I did. Good thing... I also recorded a piece by NBC run a week later showing how many plays that went the Bills' way in the second half. Had any one of those plays gone Houston's way, the outcome of the game would likely have been different. A pass by Reich to Metzelaars that went through the hands of a Houston LB, the Beebe non-fumble, Beebe stepping out of bounds on the TD, a hold by Talley in OT that led to Odomes' INT, etc. What I loved about the comeback was how it was primarily the backups (Reich, Kenneth Davis, Beebe) that led the charge while the starters (Kelly, Thurman) were all cheerleaders on the sidelines. Andre Reed played a huge part, obviously, but Reich & Davis were the big players. You hardly even heard from Bruce Smith that game (save for a costly roughing the passer), since Darryl Talley, Carlton Bailey, and Mark Kelso were all making plays. It really was a great half by Houston, then a great half by Buffalo. I doubt it. Reich was the master of preparation, but Dallas had everything going for them in that game. Don't forget that Kelly started the AFC Championship against Miami and played well. Why do you say Reich was Tebow? Tim Tebow's got nothing on Frank Reich - two different types of QBs. I just meant in that they were both very open about their faith and it seemed like there was something magical in some of the games they played in. Hate Tebow all you want but the Pittsburgh playoff game was amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanNC Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Remember when we didn't suck? Barely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Greatest football game ever, period. I dont know I thought the 1983 National Championship was a pretty good game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Remember when we didn't suck? Less and less as the years go by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) I was living in Rochester then. The game was blacked out but I could get ch.3 from Syracuse which had the game. I had to work at Lakeshore Ice Arena during the game so I recorded it. When my shift ended right around 4pm I ran home got the VCR tape, brought it into the bar at Lakeshore and had a packed room watch it. PTR Edited January 3, 2013 by PromoTheRobot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I was living in Rochester then. The game was blacked out but I could get ch.3 from Syracuse which had the game. I had to work at Lakeshore Ice Arena during the game so I recorded it. When my shift ended right around 4pm I ran home got the VCR tape, brought it into the bar Lakeshore and had a packed room watch it. PTR I had my in-laws, who live outside Utica, tape it for me and as soon as I got home from the game I called them and asked that they get me that tape ASAP. They knew somebody driving to Rochester the next day so I met them and picked it up. I did record the ESPN pre & post games shows also. Still have those tapes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Remember when we didn't suck? Actually what I remember most is how jaded Bills fans became after 2 SB losses. Seems unthinkable now but we were just awful. Some actually wanted to bench Jim Kelly in favor of Frank Reich, and get rid of "losers" like TT, Andre and Bruce. I know it's hard for the youngins to believe that but Bills fans have always been cynical...always. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I was living in Rochester then. The game was blacked out but I could get ch.3 from Syracuse which had the game. I had to work at Lakeshore Ice Arena during the game so I recorded it. When my shift ended right around 4pm I ran home got the VCR tape, brought it into the bar at Lakeshore and had a packed room watch it. PTR I watched the first half, then went to a friends house and recorded the game... then at some point during the hangout I heard the Bills had gotten close and turned off all radios and otherwise... rushed back home to watch the recorded game and it was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Cain Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I was there as a 12 year old punk kid. Remember crying at halftime b/c I thought our SB run was over. No Kelly, Bennett, or Thurman. Unbilleavable comeback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Yesterday's "baby". I can't live on it anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snafu Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Yesterday's "baby". I can't live on it anymore. You always love your "babies", no matter how old they get. I saw it in NYC on my girlfriend's tv. I made her stay with me. We're celebrating our 20th anniversary later this year. I've seen two replays in the past 20 years and I still get worked up as though it is a live broadcast. Someone should show that game tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 OK. I take it back. I wandered on to the Bills website and watched the whole thing. I almost cried. What a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Someone should show that game tonight. I'm gonna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I'm gonna. Me to. I was at home watching the game (yes, someone that admits they weren't at the stadium). I kept turning the TV off and on towards the end of the first half. After the score to make it 35-3, I turned it off again, thinking I wouldn't turn it back on again. Sure enough, being a Bills fan, I turned it back on about 5 minutes later and never turned it off again. My only disappointment with the broadcast? They mentioned the Bills fans climbing the fences to get back in during the second half, but never showed a shot of it on TV. I would have loved to see if it was a few here or there, or was it like a wave of hundreds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsoldier54 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I was in Alaska in the Army watching at home. What a great game. A couple of things that struck me watching it again. One was the depth of that roster. They did the whole thing with Kelly, Thurman and Bennet on the bench. They had so many playmakers on both sides of the ball it was amazing. What a talented group of players that was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRHater69 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Anyway to get those clips without the NBC guys? My Gawd Todd Christenson is beyond annoying!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garion Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Actually what I remember most is how jaded Bills fans became after 2 SB losses. Seems unthinkable now but we were just awful. Some actually wanted to bench Jim Kelly in favor of Frank Reich, and get rid of "losers" like TT, Andre and Bruce. I know it's hard for the youngins to believe that but Bills fans have always been cynical...always. PTR Agreed us fans don't realize what we have. Grass is always greener somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsFan1972 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 It sure has been fun reliving this game. I've been to hundreds of sporting events over the years but none better than this one. Watching drunk fans try to scale the fencing once the comeback started to unfold is a great memory. I had an opportunity to talk to a few Oilers in preparing my story for the NYT and this is still a bitter pill for them, even 20 years later. Chris Dishman told me that w/o the Beebe play The Comeback never would have happened. But I looked back to the record and noticed that it was a first down play at the Houston 38. Who is to say that if that call was reversed that they still wouldn't have scored on that drive? The Bills were unstoppable in the 2nd half. The other thing I noticed in looking at the play by play is how often Houston was throwing the ball in the 2nd half. The Henry Jones INT, for example, came on 1st down at their own 15 yard line. Easy to Monday morning Qb 20 yrs later, but they (obviously) should have been trying to eat more clock! But the run and shoot offense wasn't about TOP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRHater69 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 The other thing I noticed in looking at the play by play is how often Houston was throwing the ball in the 2nd half. Bingo! The Bills actually had more running plays and they were the team that was trailing! Further proof that without Tom Coughlin to keep him in line, Kevin Gilbride was always too pass happy, and that particular offense which didn't even have a tight end on the roster was not built to protect a lead. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dog Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I was at the Game, row 35 upper deck, still looked good from there. I have never left a game early, never will. We hung out for about 2 hours after the game in the stadium, just did not want the euporia to end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Lived in CT then and watched it at our Bills Backers bar. At the half , I said we should interfere on every pass play, as Houston would get less yards. Remember NBC at the half talking about who Houston would be playing the next week. Boomer Esiason said "Don't count out Frank, he had the greatest comeback ever in college ball when he subbed for me." They laughed at him. On the post-game show, they said "Boomer, we will never doubt you again." People forget Reich had the greatest comeback ever in college too. I think he still has that record too. Edited January 3, 2013 by Wacka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Just watched the vids again. Almost feel sorry for the Oilers. The refs just abused them. PTR Edited January 3, 2013 by PromoTheRobot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomper Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Charlie Jones was such a classic play by play man "You gotta love it...unless you're in Houston" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Remember NBC at the half talking about who Houston would be playing the next week. I remember reading how reporters in the press box were making their reservations for Houston the next week at halftime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS 56 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Many fans think our 4 appearances in back to back Super bowls were the crowning achievement of the team. I see this comeback win as even more significant.. It is a metaphor what the team, and area, are capable of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDinRTP Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 What a memory! Still remember hanging with my Bills Backers buds in Atlanta and watching the amazing comeback. Had to be 200+ at the bar for the game and only ten or so of us stuck it out until the end. Still have the recording of us being interviewed on the local news...not a pretty site, but we were sure happy campers!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAWNDO Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Was at the game with my Dad, Section N2 Row 11 Seats 3 and 4. We decided to stay for the game even after the Oilers went up 35-3. By the end of the game I never seen so many grown men crying and hugging each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I was at home listening to Van Miller on the radio with my Mom. She got so upset at the way they were playing after they returned the interception for a TD to make it 35-3 she said she was done listening and for me to go upstairs and listen. She asked me why was I even bothering. I told her they could still come back and win. She was like yeah right. Every big play I yelled downstairs. Finally when the Bills got the ball back at 35-24 she came upstairs and we listened to the rest of the game together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Front Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I remember watching it on TV in my parents' room with my brother. We were youngins at the time. My dad was a former college football player, and he didn't like watching the NFL. We had to watch the game upstairs in my parents' bedroom. The first half was so bad that we started horsing around, WWF wrestling. All of a sudden, the Bills started to come back in the second half, so we started paying attention to the game. I have never experienced any greater joy from watching a Bills football game. I wish I could go back to those days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Just watched the vids again. Almost feel sorry for the Oilers. The refs just abused them. PTR It was almost divine intervention. An almost impossible series of events happened to conspire against them...blown coverages, passes going right through defenders hands into our receivers, Beebe stepping out of bounds unseen by the ref, a fluke squib kick attempt by Houston that Del Greco shanked as a gust of wind shifted the ball just as he approached the tee the Bills recover at midfield only because Maddox clawed the ball from underneath a Houston players stomach as he lay on top of it, a recovery of an onside kick by Christie, rain and wind that started at precisely the time Houston was attempting a FG that caused the ball to slip through the holders hands, etc, etc... It was like an avalanche that just couldn't be stopped once it was put in motion... Edited January 3, 2013 by matter2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 The other thing I noticed in looking at the play by play is how often Houston was throwing the ball in the 2nd half. Bingo! The Bills actually had more running plays and they were the team that was trailing! Further proof that without Tom Coughlin to keep him in line, Kevin Gilbride was always too pass happy, and that particular offense which didn't even have a tight end on the roster was not built to protect a lead. . Bills switched back to base 3-4 personnel in 2nd half after playing dime in first half...Gilbride tried to exploit the mismatches but couldn't as we attacked... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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