Best single play in Bills history

[stevewin]

1 hour ago, djp14150 said:

For one single play.....

 

Hail Mary by Ferguson agsinst the Pats. I was st that gamewith my brother and friends. Thry wanted to beat traffic thinking the game was over.

 

 

Funny - my favorite/most memorable play was the catch Hooks made before the TD.   We were in the EZ behind the play - it's burned in my memory the view of Fergie letting it go down the middle of the field then...OMG Hooks flying through the air and hauling it in.  OMG.  I think it was the greatest sports play I have ever seen live.  Just incredible.  

 

 

[BillsfaninChicago]

I have been like Oprah giving out thumbs up in this thread because of all the great memories. 

[Nester]

Bruce Smiths Sack in the end zone for a safety in the Super Bowl is the best play in Buffalo history imo

 

 

[GRHater69]

The Roland Hooks play was a classic example of me giving up on a game too early. I got frustrated listening on the radio thinking they had the lost game and seriously damaged their playoff chances. Decided to go for a walk down Abbott Rd since I lived in Blasdell back then. All these cars were driving by after the game from stadium honking their horns and people yelling out the windows "Bills number 1!" I had no idea why until I got home and found out they pulled off a great comeback. That game wasn't a sellout so it wasn't on local TV if I remember correctly.

 

 

[klos63]

52 minutes ago, Steve O said:

HIs catch on the play before the td catch was even better

Yep

[MJS]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBillies said:

 

Back when football was football. Today that would earn every flag on the field, 15 yards, ejection, and 2 game suspension. Back then, it was just a great hit. 

Hmm, I don't know. He didn't lead with his helmet. The runner wasn't defenseless. The most you might get is an unnecessary roughness penalty. But I don't know. I think that hit is within the rules.

[machine gun kelly]

I’m sure Hap, Chandler, Donuts, or someone can remember, but it was the December Fins game in Buffalo.  RickyWilliams ran for Ithink 220 that day, and there was steady amount of snow in the first half.  After halftime, it turned into a full on Blizzard, and only Bills fans Went nuts cheering the snow.  So a pass gets thrown to Eric Moulds (one of my favorite Bills), and it was a really deep pass.  It must have been Bledsoe.  He catches it one handed and runs for a ton after the catch.  The stadium went nuts and we won.

 

There have been so many moments, and House brought up a funny one when Brady got tattooed.

[BuffaloBillies]

17 minutes ago, MJS said:

Hmm, I don't know. He didn't lead with his helmet. The runner wasn't defenseless. The most you might get is an unnecessary roughness penalty. But I don't know. I think that hit is within the rules.

 

On Brady???

[Never NEVER Give-up]

Lots to think about.  For clarification - best play or play that means the most (significance).  If we keep it to best play, it may be easier - less differing of opinion and it would open it up to every single play ever.
My first thought - Terrence McGee's end-of-half kick return against the Saints - if only he had scored!!!
I'll need to chew on this. . . 

[Turf Toejam 34]

2 hours ago, Beast said:

The blocked FG by Nate Odomes and return for a TD by Bennett against the Broncos in 1990. The Bills were dead in the water if that chip shot was made and would drop to 2-2.

 

That play launched the Super Bowl Bills, IMO.

That's the one that came to my mind.   

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

Great topic. Depends on how one defines "best" single play. This thread is 3 pages deep and no one has mentioned the single greatest player in Bills history. 

If we define it as "dominating individual performance" on a play, regardless of impact on Bills history or context, then some play by the Juice is likely #1. 

If you don't want to watch the entire video, I suggest checking out the 4 plays starting with him outrunning the entire Steel Curtain at 1:22 through the fumbled kickoff return for a TD. 

 

[MJS]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBillies said:

 

On Brady???

Brady wasn't Brady yet. And Brady today would never take a hit like that, or even attempt a run like that.

Edited November 7, 2020 by MJS

[Talley56]

If Allen turns out to truly be a great and leads the Bills to at least a championship, possibly more, then I'll have to say him hurdling Anthony Barr.  That will go down as the moment we knew he was our future.

[SMAKCruiser]

Steve Taskers kickoff return against the Raiders in the 93 playoffs

[njbuff]

3 hours ago, PonyBoy said:

Jim Kelly's dive into end zone vs Miami 1989. It really began the era of consistently winning. My buddy and I traveled to that game in that end zone surrounded by the Buffalo Jill's cheerleaders who traveled to game to cheer from stands. One of the great plays and days of my life! 😀

No, it begin in 1988.

[BuffaloBillies]

12 minutes ago, MJS said:

Brady wasn't Brady yet. And Brady today would never take a guy like that, or even attempt a run like that.

 

Fine,  but many clean hits that "look" wicked immediately get punished in today's game. 

The point of my post was how the NFL has gotten so soft, especially with hits on qb. 

[Beast]

1 hour ago, GRHater69 said:

The Roland Hooks play was a classic example of me giving up on a game too early. I got frustrated listening on the radio thinking they had the lost game and seriously damaged their playoff chances. Decided to go for a walk down Abbott Rd since I lived in Blasdell back then. All these cars were driving by after the game from stadium honking their horns and people yelling out the windows "Bills number 1!" I had no idea why until I got home and found out they pulled off a great comeback. That game wasn't a sellout so it wasn't on local TV if I remember correctly.

 

 

It was worse for me. I was in the parking lot of the stadium with my Dad. We left early only to hear the roar of the crowd....ran to our car to hear the aftermath.

[BuffaloBillies]

2 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

Flutie going around left end for the winning TD against the Jags in 1998. Jags were undefeated coming in and it was a wild finish. Was at the game and it was bedlam. 

 

I was in Vegas. Had a miracle 7 team parley bet (small money,  gigantic payout).

Bills bet came in as did the other 5, but then.... lost the 7th game! I'll never forget it. 

Total buzz kill. But still great bills win. 

[Freddie's Dead]

2 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

Flutie going around left end for the winning TD against the Jags in 1998. Jags were undefeated coming in and it was a wild finish. Was at the game and it was bedlam. 

 

The play that saved the franchise.

[machine gun kelly]

26 minutes ago, njbuff said:

No, it begin in 1988.

Agreed Buff.  I was at that Jets game when big old Freddy Smerlas blocked that FG and we stormed the stadium.  As Van said, it was FANDEMONIUM!  I was on that goal post for all of 7 seconds before I almost was trampled.  That was a memory of a lifetime for me with the Bills.  We finally won the East.  We finally won the East.

[BuffaloBillies]

2 hours ago, Another Fan said:

As per my avatar Steve Christie was one of my favorite Bills.

 

But I thought one of the most underrated plays and possibly the best play in Bills history was his recovering the suicide kick in The Comeback at 35-10.  If that doesn't happen I don't think The Comeback happens.  It was the start of the momentum swing.  

 

Hell, even to this day that play inspires me to do something outside of the box when things aren't working 

 

Never heard someone say a kicker is one of their favorite players, but who am I to judge. Sometimes inspiration comes in strange ways... if that does it for you, good for you... go do something great and recover your own onside kick to spark something. 

[machine gun kelly]

It’s really almost impossible to gain any clarity as the single most important moment, and The OP meant each of our special moments.  The problem just like to down side moments are too many to just pick one.  If this is just a fun bar conversation where we just kick around these moments together, then that is fun.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

The Sam Adams td. 

Flutie bootleg vs. Jax

Josh Allen leaping over the LB

Drayton Florence int return vs Brady 

Theres so many

 

[PromoTheRobot]

20-point turnaround against the Broncos back on September 30, 1990. (Comeback starts at 14:00)

 

 

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/09/30/buffalo-bills-game-day-sept-30-1990-bills-29-broncos-28-cornelius-bennett-blocked-field-goal/2075269001/

Edited November 7, 2020 by PromoTheRobot

[The Firebaugh Kid]

2 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

I’m sure Hap, Chandler, Donuts, or someone can remember, but it was the December Fins game in Buffalo.  RickyWilliams ran for Ithink 220 that day, and there was steady amount of snow in the first half.  After halftime, it turned into a full on Blizzard, and only Bills fans Went nuts cheering the snow.  So a pass gets thrown to Eric Moulds (one of my favorite Bills), and it was a really deep pass.  It must have been Bledsoe.  He catches it one handed and runs for a ton after the catch.  The stadium went nuts and we won.

 

There have been so many moments, and House brought up a funny one when Brady got tattooed.

One of my fav Bills games I attended

[PonyBoy]

2 hours ago, Bob Chandler's Hands said:

Great topic. Depends on how one defines "best" single play. This thread is 3 pages deep and no one has mentioned the single greatest player in Bills history. 

If we define it as "dominating individual performance" on a play, regardless of impact on Bills history or context, then some play by the Juice is likely #1. 

If you don't want to watch the entire video, I suggest checking out the 4 plays starting with him outrunning the entire Steel Curtain at 1:22 through the fumbled kickoff return for a TD. 

 

The video was just mesmerizing. It's off topic, but thanks for the upload! Grace, speed, power, moves. I was a young boy during this time and half the games were blacked out. Forgot how great he really was, crimes aside. Loved the humility of that era too when scoring a touchdown. Just flipped or handed ball to ref. 

[SectionC3]

3 hours ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

For me it’s Kelly’s TD to Lofton in this same game, on a broken play where the snap was fumbled, Kelly’s helmet slips down obstructing his view, and the Raiders are about to sack him—instead this happens:

 

This. 

[machine gun kelly]

Doc, you do know from 1967-1979, the AFC won 9 of the 13 first SB’s.  I wouldn’t necessarily call that JV.  I know you said AFL, but after Green Bay won the first two, the Jets meaning in the third was the tipping scale, but all of these NFL fans who say it was better than the AFL lost again to the Chiefs in SB 4, then again by the Colts the next year.  My dad used to tell me minds started changing about the AFC on a national level.

 

The AFL were pioneers in much more opened up passing offenses than the NFL.  It was too early for me, but I’m not taking anything away from Saban from winning those two AFL Championships.

 

Just my two cents Doc.  Not being snarkey.

[Doc Brown]

7 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

Doc, you do know from 1967-1979, the AFC won 9 of the 13 first SB’s.  I wouldn’t necessarily call that JV.  I know you said AFL, but after Green Bay won the first two, the Jets meaning in the third was the tipping scale, but all of these NFL fans who say it was better than the AFL lost again to the Chiefs in SB 4, then again by the Colts the next year.  My dad used to tell me minds started changing about the AFC on a national level.

 

The AFL were pioneers in much more opened up passing offenses than the NFL.  It was too early for me, but I’m not taking anything away from Saban from winning those two AFL Championships.

 

Just my two cents Doc.  Not being snarkey.

I deleted my post because it was a troll post that pry went too far.  It would've been great if the Bills beat the Chiefs in '66 to play in the first Super Bowl.

Edited November 7, 2020 by Doc Brown

[CA OC Bills Fan]

5 hours ago, djp14150 said:

 

for rapid comeback in the time it takes to go to the bathroom and miss.....it was that 3 TD comeback against Denver. Block FG for TD, pick fir TD, thrn Elway fumble.

That was me that went to the bathroom just as the broncos lined up. Missed it!

 

I was at the comeback game though and didn't leave.

 

All the other plays you mentioned were great too. I'd probably choose the QB draw by Kelly vs. Dolfish.

[machine gun kelly]

2 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

I deleted my post because it was a troll post that pry went too far.  It would've been great if the Bills beat the Chiefs in '66 to play in the first Super Bowl.

No worries my friend.  I don’t care at all and seriously wasn’t nit picking on you.  The crazy thing is from the first to last year, the AFC and NFC have the exact same amount of SB wins.  I had to look it up as I had so many friends growing up telling me the NFC  paws much better.  I finally looked it up and crapped in their cornflakes.

[Doc Brown]

12 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

No worries my friend.  I don’t care at all and seriously wasn’t nit picking on you.  The crazy thing is from the first to last year, the AFC and NFC have the exact same amount of SB wins.  I had to look it up as I had so many friends growing up telling me the NFC  paws much better.  I finally looked it up and crapped in their cornflakes.

Didn't know that and it surprises me considering the 13 year NFC winning streak from the mid 80's to late 90's.  However, if you think of the teams with the most SB's I'd pry guess Pats, Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys in that order.  The Raiders under Madden and the Dolphins under Shula also come to mind.  

Edited November 7, 2020 by Doc Brown

[Red Squirrel]

There are an awful lot of good ones and I couldn't honestly pick one, but here's another contender: against the Lions in '97 when Phil Hansen just ripped through their OL like it was made of toilet paper and dumped Sanders for a safety. At 1:35 here:

 

 

[smuvtalker]

5 hours ago, BuffaloBillies said:

 

Back when football was football. Today that would earn every flag on the field, 15 yards, ejection, and 2 game suspension. Back then, it was just a great hit. 

Effing AWESOME.  Simply a thing of beauty.  I have this saved in my fave's list on YouTube.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself, this was back when football was football. Men running around on that field ready to end your career in a split second.  The days when the Ronnie Lott's, and the Chuck Cecil's of the world roamed the secondary..

 

And I gotta say this....as much as I hate Tom Brady the New England Patriot, I give him ALL the props in the world for his toughness. Dude sprung right back up, clapped his hands and threw his helmet back on.  If that woulda been me, I think I would've just turned into a pile of dust.

[BobbyC81]

8 hours ago, Augie said:

The first two that come to mind are Ahmad Rashad scoring to beat the Raiders on Monday Night Football at home, and OF COURSE Don Beebe running down Leon Lett to prevent a TD. THAT was priceless and more about character than football. 

 

 

.

You beat me to it on the Rashad score.  In a back-and-forth 4th Quarter, he badly faked out the DB in the end zone to catch the winning pass.

 

For significance, the Nate Odomes INT in overtime in the Comeback game to set up the winning FG.

[BullBuchanan]

 

[Peace Frog]

My favorite was the reverse flea flicker against Denver back in 1992.  

 

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, Red Squirrel said:

There are an awful lot of good ones and I couldn't honestly pick one, but here's another contender: against the Lions in '97 when Phil Hansen just ripped through their OL like it was made of toilet paper and dumped Sanders for a safety. At 1:35 here:

 

 

Man Barry Sanders was special.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

10 hours ago, BuffaloBillies said:

CJ Spiller's run right for a 1 yard gain.

But he did hang onto it...

[JMF2006]

12 hours ago, BuffaloBillies said:

 Beebe run-down in super bowl,

 

That was one of the first plays I thought of.

 

Even though the Bills were getting hammered he still gave 100% to make sure that fat slob Lett didn't score