Phil The Thrill Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Sal Capaccio started this idea on WGR this morning and there are so many options. Openers that good and bad for different reasons. I’ll throw my 2 cents in. For me the best season opener was in 1991. The Bills were coming off a SB loss but were still loaded. They played Miami in Buffalo in Week 1 and this game was a shootout. Both the Bills and Dolphins executed really well on offense - not so much on defense. I think I was at the mall school shopping so I listened to the game on the radio mostly and spend about 2 hours watching the game in Sears while family shopped. Back in the day, Sears had about 30 TV’s on a wall - all tuned to the game. Some employees were watching as well LOL In the end, I remember the Bills were up by four and needed a first down to wind down the clock. Van Miller set the situation up perfectly and Thurman gained about 15 yards on 3rd and long. Bills win 35-31 and go onto to have a pretty memorable year! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Finkel Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 1980 opener against Dolphins when the Bills broke the losing streak. Fans ripped the posts down. Also, when Kelly ran for the touchdown against Miami with no time remaining to win. I believe that might have been an opening game. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) "Memorable." I've been an avid fan only since the beginning of the SB run and even then, I was 10 years old. Didn't really follow every game until the late 90's. Great timing. The two openers that stick out for me as "memorable" are at New England(Leodis, p... poor clock management) and Denver sometime in the mid to late 2000's where we lost on a last second field goal. On the more positive side, at the Chiefs maybe 8 years back was great. Went INTO Arrowhead and beat their breaks off. EDIT; The "Lawyer Milloy" game was by far the most fun I've had during an opener. I was an obnoxious 21 year old surrounded by Pats fans and started holding my fingers up after Brady threw his second pick. Then 3. Then 4. Glad I didn't run into the wrong person. Not quite sure why that Denver game stands out, but it was a TOUGH one. Did you mean good or memorable? Edited September 4, 2019 by LSHMEAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilzfancy Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Just now, Ray Finkel said: 1980 opener against Dolphins when the Bills broke the losing streak. Fans ripped the posts down. Also, when Kelly ran for the touchdown against Miami with no time remaining to win. I believe that might have been an opening game. That's it. Rosey Leaks falling into the end zone, breaking an 0 for the 70s streak. Bills made the playoffs that year and only a gimpy Fergy, and a long last minute TD kept the Bills from playing for the AFC title 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Finkel Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Just now, bilzfancy said: That's it. Rosey Leaks falling into the end zone, breaking an 0 for the 70s streak. Bills made the playoffs that year and only a gimpy Fergy, and a long last minute TD kept the Bills from playing for the AFC title We even faked a punt. Greg Cater hit Mark Brammer for the first down. Chuck Knox! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Blitz Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) It's this one and no other opener comes close: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100mia.htm Here is Van's call of Kelly's winning TD run with no time left: https://www.buffalobills.com/video/van-miller-moments-1989-victory-over-miami-14012381 Edited September 4, 2019 by Big Blitz 4 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil The Thrill Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 15 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: Season opener....not bottle opener!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 7 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said: "Memorable." I've been an avid fan only since the beginning of the SB run and even then, I was 10 years old. The two openers that stick out for me as "memorable" are at New England(Leodis, p... poor clock management) and Denver sometime in the mid to late 2000's where we lost on a last second field goal. On the more positive side, at the Chiefs maybe 8 years back was great. Went INTO Arrowhead and beat their breaks off. Not quite sure why that Denver game stands out, but it was a TOUGH one. Did you mean good or memorable? I was at that Denver game as well. That was the Kevin Everett game. That's one of the reasons I remember it. The other was some Canadian chick. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 14 minutes ago, Ray Finkel said: 1980 opener against Dolphins when the Bills broke the losing streak. Fans ripped the posts down. Also, when Kelly ran for the touchdown against Miami with no time remaining to win. I believe that might have been an opening game. The 1980 opener was an epic event. Goal posts torn down and a section passed up through the stands to Mr. Wilson’s suite. And he loved EVERY minute of the wild celebration. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil The Thrill Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 8 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said: "Memorable." I've been an avid fan only since the beginning of the SB run and even then, I was 10 years old. The two openers that stick out for me as "memorable" are at New England(Leodis, p... poor clock management) and Denver sometime in the mid to late 2000's where we lost on a last second field goal. On the more positive side, at the Chiefs maybe 8 years back was great. Went INTO Arrowhead and beat their breaks off. Not quite sure why that Denver game stands out, but it was a TOUGH one. Did you mean good or memorable? Either one...memorable good or bad. Your choices are great. Here is the Denver game: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vorpma Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 24 minutes ago, Ray Finkel said: 1980 opener against Dolphins when the Bills broke the losing streak. Fans ripped the posts down. Also, when Kelly ran for the touchdown against Miami with no time remaining to win. I believe that might have been an opening game. You got it!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) ‘80 Opener was historic, ‘89 @ Miami was epic! But for my money, our 1st ever MNF game against the previously unbeaten MNF Raiders! I was there with my Dad in the end zone Rashad caught both TDs. Edit: ‘73 7th game vs Chiefs was our 1st MNF game. We won and O.J. went over 1000 yards in route to 2000. Dad & I were at that game as well. Edited September 5, 2019 by Chandler#81 Correction 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 7 minutes ago, Phil The Thrill said: Either one...memorable good or bad. Your choices are great. Here is the Denver game: Ugh....No thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiotAct Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 2003 against the Pats is the correct answer 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simstim Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I still remember that '91 game. Was the first game I watched a fan proper. Thought just occurred to me whilst re-watching some of it. My word the no huddle offense was great for making the match go quickly. It's no wonder the game seems so slow now. Not to mention the increasing amount of ads. Crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangarang Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) I remember having a lot of fun watching the 2011 opener against the Chiefs where we absolutely curb stomped them 41-7. We started the year 5-2 and were media darlings with Fitz getting a lot of attention...we finished the year 6-10. Edited September 4, 2019 by Bangarang 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Nice topic @Phil The Thrill!! For me it is the Kelly TD run followed by the Lawyer Milloy game. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bray Wyatt Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) Lawyer milloy game for me, mainly due to my age and the fact that I was there. I remember when he was introduced the stadium was one of the loudest I ever heard it, then Sam Adams int return was amazing, plus it was beating the pats 31-0 doesn’t get much better Edited September 4, 2019 by Bray Wyatt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Was 31-0 against the Putz an opener? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bray Wyatt Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 1 minute ago, SlimShady'sGhost said: Was 31-0 against the Putz an opener? Yes then last game of the season we lost in their place same score 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Just now, Bray Wyatt said: Yes then last game of the season we lost in their place same score That’s why I have to cross that one off the list. I call it the Sam Adams game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 1 minute ago, Bray Wyatt said: Yes then last game of the season we lost in their place same score I also knew that but the OP said opener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 48 minutes ago, Big Blitz said: It's this one and no other opener comes close: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100mia.htm Here is Van's call of Kelly's winning TD run with no time left: https://www.buffalobills.com/video/van-miller-moments-1989-victory-over-miami-14012381 Absolutely! Was my first thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 (edited) 45 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said: ‘80 Opener was historic, ‘89 @ Miami was epic! But for my money, our 1st ever MNF game against the previously unbeaten MNF Raiders! Edit: our 1st MNF game was the previous season ‘73. It was our 7th game that year and O.J. reached 1000 yards for the season, in route to 2000. Dad & I were there as well. I was there with my Dad in the end zone Rashad caught both TDs. Perhaps my favorite as well. Edited September 5, 2019 by Chandler#81 Correction 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRHater69 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Yep that Raiders MNF was great. Sat in the last row at the top with my father. We almost left when the Bills went up 14-13 and then almost left again when Art Thoms scooped up that fumble. That was a brutal break for the Bills, but we stayed and Fergie rallied them. That game wasn't a sellout, odds are if it was on local TV that night more people would remember it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBilz2500 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 2004-Bills/Jags. Bills lead the entire way until a 4th and goal TD by Ernest Wilford with no time remaining. He actually only got 1 foot down inbounds but at the time the “force out” rule awarded him the touchdown. Devastating opening day loss. Ended up costing us a playoff spot that season as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 1 hour ago, K-9 said: The 1980 opener was an epic event. Goal posts torn down and a section passed up through the stands to Mr. Wilson’s suite. And he loved EVERY minute of the wild celebration. I will always take pride in helping carry the goal posts 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vorpma Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 59 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said: ‘80 Opener was historic, ‘89 @ Miami was epic! But for my money, our 1st ever MNF game against the previously unbeaten MNF Raiders! I was there with my Dad in the end zone Rashad caught both TDs. You won me over, the MNF game and the Raiders my friend! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 No question about it. 1973. Bills beat the Pats 31-13 in Foxboro. OJ rushed for 250 yards, a new single--game record, on his way to breaking 2000 in a single season. And the Bills improved a huge amount, finishing 9-5 but unfortunately missing the playoffs. (Nine wins can get a team into the playoffs now, in a 16 game season. We wuz robbed.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 16 minutes ago, DBilz2500 said: 2004-Bills/Jags. Bills lead the entire way until a 4th and goal TD by Ernest Wilford with no time remaining. He actually only got 1 foot down inbounds but at the time the “force out” rule awarded him the touchdown. Devastating opening day loss. Ended up costing us a playoff spot that season as well. There are a bunch of heart-breaking openers like that one. The thing that still irks me was the big 4th down catch by Jimmy Smith over Nate Clements on that drive. but consider these other heart-breaking openers: 1) the 2007 broncos-Bills one where with no time, the broncos raced on the field to kick the game winner as time expired. Lost 15-14. 2) the 2002 OT loss to the Jets where Morton had that 100-yard return in OT to end it (I was watching the game at a jets sports bar too, which really hurt). 3) The 2006 McKelvin kickoff fumble against the Pats in NE, in a game that we had won. Lost it 19-17. 4) 2009 loss to patriots where Brady throws game winner with under a minute. Lost 25-24. 5) 2013 loss to patriots with Pats hitting GW FG with like 5 seconds left. Lost 23-21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Guapo Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Everyone I have been fortunate enough to be at. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 The best football game I have every been to live was the ‘74 opening game, Monday night against the Raiders. The most exciting and emotional game was the ‘80 opener when after an entire decade of futility we finally squished the Fish. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston's #1 Bills Fan Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I was a bit too young to grasp the '73 and '74 teams, but I remember the '80 opening and was really into the Bills by the time the '89 season started. That game was awesome! Having gone to the AFC championship game a few months prior, I was feeling that we had finally arrived. Took one more season, but then it was so bloody awesome each year!! I took it for granted back then and didn't attend as many games as I should have, plus missed going to the Super Bowls. Never again!! They make the playoffs, I'm going!! LET'S GO BUFFALO!! LET'S GO!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from_dunkirk Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 (edited) Bills fans tear down goal posts after 1980 victory vs. Miami ends 2-0-game losing streak to them: Video 1: http://www.nfl.com/videos/buffalo-bills/09000d5d8208e8a1/Bills-stop-skid-vs-Dolphins Video 2: Edited September 5, 2019 by from_dunkirk 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I have to agree that the 1974 opener was even better than the 1973 opener. Beating the Raiders on two fourth-quarter Fergie TD passes, sandwiched around a Braxton fumble returned for a TD. I was working at Rich then, selling beer as a vendor, and I was in the stands screaming with everyone else. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xwnyer Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 2 hours ago, Ray Finkel said: 1980 opener against Dolphins when the Bills broke the losing streak. Fans ripped the posts down. Also, when Kelly ran for the touchdown against Miami with no time remaining to win. I believe that might have been an opening game. 1980 game was the BEST ever. Beating the fins for first time in. A decade . Talking proud ere began 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 2 hours ago, Ray Finkel said: 1980 opener against Dolphins when the Bills broke the losing streak. Fans ripped the posts down. Also, when Kelly ran for the touchdown against Miami with no time remaining to win. I believe that might have been an opening game. Perfect choice. Younger fans don’t know how painful it was to watch the Bills to lose to the Dolphins 20 times and finally beat them. Chuck Knox ended the streak just like we will soon end the Patriots streak. This year, next year, but soon. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyC81 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 1973. OJ sets rushing record with 250 yards as Bills rout Pats. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbuff Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 The 2000 season opener against Tennessee after the MCM was a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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