Buffalo at Miami 1989 - The entire final drive

[hondo in seattle]

The old timers will appreciate this game more than the youngsters because we lived through some rough years before this game.

The Bills won the AFL championship in 1964 and 1965 and then sucked for the next 20+ years.  We didn't win comebacks.  We let other teams win them.

 

Then this happened.  It was like a sign from God: this was a different Bills team.  This team was going to the Super Bowl.  

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

10 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

YouTube must be pushing the same thing to all of us. It popped up on my suggestions yesterday too. I forgot the drive started with a Marino INT by Odomes. 

The Kelly dive for a TD, is still a top 10 franchise play in my list. 

How good was that Odomes pick too? Just jumped that route on a well thrown ball and snatched it away! 

[Mike in Horseheads]

4 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

The old timers will appreciate this game more than the youngsters because we lived through some rough years before this game.

The Bills won the AFL championship in 1964 and 1965 and then sucked for the next 20+ years.  We didn't win comebacks.  We let other teams win them.

 

Then this happened.  It was like a sign from God: this was a different Bills team.  This team was going to the Super Bowl.  

Bills made the playoffs in 66, 74,80,81

[Chandler#81]

15 hours ago, ddaryl said:

Been watching a few old clips of Bills SB years and I agree. We are spoiled with Josh but Kelly was no slouch

No 1st ballot HOFers are 🤷‍♂️

[hondo in seattle]

10 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Bills made the playoffs in 66, 74,80,81

 

I know.  But still, the long period after our brief AFL glory was mostly characterized by misery.  

 

From 1967 to 1987, we went something like 118-196-3 (.377) and were 0-3 in the playoffs.  Despite a few moderately good years, I think it's fair to call that extended period of time the Bills Dark Ages.  Kelly and company were the Rennaissance and that was an exciting time.    

 

 

[Ned Flanders]

9 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

From 1967 to 1987, we went something like 118-196-3 (.377) and were 0-3 in the playoffs.  

Bills did win a wildcard game in 1981 at the Jets.

[Rubes]

21 hours ago, njbuff said:

This is where Jim Kelly and Chris Burkett started to have their rift and was one of the contributing factors in coining the “Bickering Bills” of 1989.

 

Totally forgot Burkett was still on the team that year. I thought he was already gone at that time.

 

I remember exactly where I was when I watched that on TV, and I'll always remember Donovan's call in my head.

 

11 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

How good was that Odomes pick too? Just jumped that route on a well thrown ball and snatched it away! 

 

Great pick, but as the announcer said, Marino totally missed Jensen wide open over the middle. Game over. Ouch!

 

[Mike in Horseheads]

3 hours ago, Ned Flanders said:

Bills did win a wildcard game in 1981 at the Jets.

And would have beat SanDiego if Fergy wasn't playing on one leg

[hondo in seattle]

4 hours ago, Ned Flanders said:

Bills did win a wildcard game in 1981 at the Jets.

 

Oops.  I'm drawing a blank and embarrassed to say that I don't remember that game.  

 

Mostly what I remember from the late 60s until Kelly is a lot of losing. OJ's gridiron brilliance was the big bright spot for me - I loved watching that man run - but of course that was unredeemably tarnished by his later behavior.  

[otagoyellow]

On 6/25/2025 at 11:38 AM, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I was 11 years old, and remember exactly where I was and how I reacted after that TD! 

I was 11 as well! I remember that I was the only one watching the game at the time, and definitely started screaming insanely after the Kelly run. I honestly think this game and moment was the one that solidified my love of this team and the thrill of watching them do the (seemingly) impossible to win. This ranks up there with the three touchdowns in 1:17 and the Houston comeback from my childhood. So great.