What’s your favorite Bills opening day game?

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

The first TBDAHOT, the revenge game after home-job throw-forward against the Titans on Sunday Night Football

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200009030buf.htm

 

 

[dwight in philly]

3 hours ago, JP51 said:

I think the 1980 opener against the Dolphins that ended 0- 70s and the goal posts came down. 

Been a fan since I was 8 .. starting in 1960, and agree totally..!

[Psautcsk]

Vikings at Bills 1988. Being at the game for the Thurman Thomas debut was awesome. A nail biter of a game and the Bills showed a lot of grit winning 13-10.

[BillsPride12]

For me personally it's gotta be the 2003 a$$ kicking of the Patriots.  Absolute legendary game in Bills folklore 

 

But I can understand why the OG's are going with the Miami game in 1980.  That one must have been incredible to be at

[Gregg]

Another good start that hasn't been mentioned was the 1981 season. Opening day at Rich Stadium with a 31-0 beatdown of the Jets. In week 2 going to Baltimore and beating the Colts 35-3. First two weeks of the season outscoring their opponents 66-3

[Ned Flanders]

12 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

But I can understand why the OG's are going with the Miami game in 1980.  That one must have been incredible to be at

It was indeed incredible...incredibly hot!  But the game was one for the ages, with the Bills overcoming a host of turnovers (and creating a few of their own) to send the Fish packing.  Being on the field was a blast, seeing the goal posts come down was something I'll never forget.

 

The next week against the Jets, mounted policemen circled the endzones near the end of the game...their concerns were all for naught. 

[The Firebaugh Kid]

31-0

I watched that at my friends house who is a huge Patriots fan. Watching him squirm the entire time and make excuses was absolutely hilarious.

[billsbackto81]

2 come to mind 

 

1991 opener vs Miami 

Bills 35 Dolphins 31

Thomas 165 rushing/ 103 receiving 

Kelly 381 yds passing

 

2003 vs Patriots

 

31-0

[Buffalo Boy]

20 hours ago, JP51 said:

I think the 1980 opener against the Dolphins that ended 0- 70s and the goal posts came down. 

My first game at Rich

Edited September 3 by Buffalo Boy

[JP51]

19 minutes ago, Buffalo Boy said:

My first game at Rich

Mine was the Raiders pre season game in 1973 I was 5 2nd game the stadium was open.  And that Dolphins game in 80 is a helluva 1st game dude!  Nice! 

[frostbitmic]

This one ... I'd say that every year though.

[Buffalo Boy]

18 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Mine was the Raiders pre season game in 1973 I was 5 2nd game the stadium was open.  And that Dolphins game in 80 is a helluva 1st game dude!  Nice! 

Dad took me and obviously I was HOOKED after seeing the reaction of that crowd 😁

[MDH]

20 hours ago, folz said:

 

September 10, 1989. Dolphins led 24-13 in the 4th quarter. The Bills came back to score two touchdowns: the first, a TD catch by Flip Jonson; the second TD came on the last play of the game---a two-yard QB keeper that Kelly took to the endzone, diving in between two Dolphins defenders as the game clock expired. And then the  team piled on Kelly in the end zone in celebration. Bills win in Miami 27-24. Although this wasn't their first year together, they didn't have all of the pieces yet, and they ultimately did not reach the Super Bowl that season, that game down in Miami seemed to be the start of it all, imo, for the "90s" Bills and really set the tone for what was to happen over the next 5-7 years. 

 

 

 

This is the first one that came to mind for me. I remember how ecstatic I was as a kid when Kelly scored. Coming off the loss to Cincy in the '88 AFCCG I was sure the Bills had finally arrived. I was right.

 

The other game is the 2003 trouncing of the Pats after the Lawyer signing. After years of suffering at the hands of the Pats I had thought to Bills had closed the gap and had finally arrived. I was wrong.

[davefan66]

17 hours ago, Psautcsk said:

Vikings at Bills 1988. Being at the game for the Thurman Thomas debut was awesome. A nail biter of a game and the Bills showed a lot of grit winning 13-10.

Is that the game Hal Garner sacked the QB late while crawling on his knees?

[corta765]

22 hours ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Same here regarding 2019.  The jets were so arrogant.  Thought they were going to pound the Bills. 

The NY media already had the Jets in the wildcard and really thought BUF was nothing special.

 

Lol then 3 weeks later mono strikes and their seasons over

[BillsPride12]

2 hours ago, MDH said:

 

 

This is the first one that came to mind for me. I remember how ecstatic I was as a kid when Kelly scored. Coming off the loss to Cincy in the '88 AFCCG I was sure the Bills had finally arrived. I was right.

 

The other game is the 2003 trouncing of the Pats after the Lawyer signing. After years of suffering at the hands of the Pats I had thought to Bills had closed the gap and had finally arrived. I was wrong.

We all were that year

[BBills83]

2003 vs Pats. 31-0 rout with Sam Adam's rumbling down the sideline for a TD on a Brady pas interception. Lawyer Malloy had a chip on his shoulder and it worked it's way thru the entire team. 

[oldmanfan]

1974.  Bill vs.  Raiders Monday night football.  Fergy to Rashad twice late, then sweating out a last second FG try by Blanda.  

 

1980.  Bills vs. Fish and we finally ended the losing streak.  I helped carry the goal post and alcohol was involved

Edited September 3 by oldmanfan

[holla83]

On 9/2/2025 at 2:40 PM, Reks Ryan said:

I'm going to cheat a little and go with the 2014 home opener.   CJ Spiller returned the 2nd half Kickoff for a TD and the Bill beat Miami 29 -10 to go 2 - 0. 

 

Even more important than the result, was that it was the week the Pegulas closed on the acquisition of the Bills.  After more than a decade of irrelevance on the field an Octogenerian+ owner, poor management, and real fear that the Bills were leaving Buffalo, it was great just to enjoy the game knowing our team wasn't leaving.  The stadium atmosphere was electric.  Although there were alot of questions about the team and coaching staff, it was a great day to squish the fish and be in first place. 

 

 

I was going to go with this game too. Not only had the Pegulas just bought the team but they had the ceremony to honor Ralph Wilson before the game and it had been announced that Jim Kelly was cancer free. Although the cancer would unfortunately return that stadium came completely unglued when Kelly stepped up to the podium during Ralph's ceremony. Probably the loudest I've ever heard that place. It gave me goosebumps.

[Walking Tall]

1980