YES! THE STREAK IS OVER! 24 hours later and I’m still on a high about what we just saw. Incredible. It also got me thinking about other streaks in Buffalo sports history that have come to a halt. So, let us not beat around the bush, here are the top 5 streaks that have come to an end.
5) Bills win their first home playoff game in 24 years: From 1966-1988, the Bills played in War Memorial and Rich Stadium. They played in 154 home games, and yet, they never played a playoff game in their friendly confines during those years. There last home playoff game occurred in 1966, when the Chiefs earned a trip to Super Bowl I, as they thrashed the Bills by 24 points. It finally all changed in 1988, when the Bills won their first division title in 8-years and beat the Houston Oilers in the divisional round of the playoffs by a score of 17-10.
The last time the Bills won a home playoff game was when they beat the Chargers in the 1964 AFL Championship. If we know our Bills’ history, that 1988 season was a special year which served as the catalyst to the Super Bowl era. In between those 154 home games, the Bills only made the playoffs three times. Hmm, 11 years without playoffs and 16 years without a home playoff game? Yeah, I think it’s time to end those streaks.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxJkqADvD7M&w=281&h=200]
4) The Braves snap a 22-game losing streak against the Celtics: Yeah, you thought the O for the 70s and 15 straight to the Pats stunk? Try 22 straight losses to the Boston Celtics. From the moment they stepped on the court in 1970, the Braves didn’t beat the hated Celtics until 1974. 22 Straight losses by an average of 9 points a game. The majority of these matchups were very close, as the Braves lost by 6-points or fewer 9 times during this streak. Finally, Buffalo beat the Celtics on Feb. 27 for the first time in its history by 18 points. Oh, and just two nights later, the Braves made it a two game winning streak against the Celtics, beating them 110-94 in front of 18,023 in the Aud.
3) The Sabres get out of the 1st round: My first actual experience with a nasty streak (Not a Lindy Ruff “Out of character” type of streak) occurred during the early 90’s with the Sabres. Whether it was Gilbert or Turgeon or LaFontaine, the Sabres couldn’t get out of the first round. From 1984-1992, the Sabres went to the playoffs seven times and came away with a first round loss. In case you need a list of those series, here you go:
1992 — lost to Boston, 4-3, Adams Division semifinals
1991 — lost to Montreal, 4-2, Adams Division semifinals
1990 — lost to Montreal, 4-2, Adams Division semifinals
1989 — lost to Boston, 4-1, Adams Division semifinals
1988 — lost to Boston, 4-2, Adams Division semifinals
1985 — lost to Quebec, 3-2, Adams Division semifinals
1984 — lost to Quebec, 3-0, Adams Division semifinals
It was ugly in Buffalo. Fans wanted to trade everyone because they thought the team was soft. Finally, in 1993, the Sabres swept the Bruins in four straight. Of course, the series is best remembered for the Mayday Goal. What made the goal so special wasn’t just because RJ had a incredible call or that we were going to the 2nd round. Hell, there have been a number of OT winners in Sabres history that have sent them to the next round (Flyers vs Sabres in 1998 and Sens vs Sabres in 1997/2006), it was the fact that the team FINALLY beat Boston and got the hell out of the first round. You always remember the first time. I assure you, our season was made after we got that monkey off our back and no one really cried when Montreal swept us in the 2nd round. It was a huge relief for Sabres fans.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0xxSsEqjIk&w=280&h=182]
2) The Pats streak ends: It was getting to the point to where I was thinking we would beat the Patriots once Tom Brady and Bill Belichick retired. So, 2020? Maybe? We all know the disasters by now. McKelvin’s fumble, Losman’s safety, Duke Preston fighting Patriot players during a field goal attempt, Aaron Maybin being offside on a onsides kick, Willis McGahee not knowing what down it was and so many others. During the streak, The Bills lost by an average of 17 points a game. We had Brady killing us for 32 touchdowns and almost 3,200 yards passing during it. We even had crappy Matt Cassel beat us..twice!
As for our QBs? YUCK!
During the streak, Bills QBs averaged 180 yards a game with 26 interceptions and 11 touchdowns. Only once did a Bills QB go over 300-yards, and that was Kelly Holcomb in 2005. Now, it is over. Done, finished. I know after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, a number of their fans echoed the sentiment that they can all “Die in peace.” Well, Buffalo fans, I won’t go that far, but we can all have a Sam Adams in a Boston bar in peace.
1) O for the 70’s snapped: For 20 straight games, which is an NFL record, the Bills loss to the Miami Dolphins. Miami won be an average of 13 points a game and scored over 30 points eleven times. Not only did they score, but they stopped Ferguson and OJ. The Bills scored a touchdown or less seven times during the streak. OJ only had two 100-yard games during the streak. There were some heartbreaking moments, as the Bills held the lead in the 4th quarter twice, only to then blow it. It became such a joke that Miami players would talk so much trash about how easy it was to play these guys.
1970 – at Buffalo, 33-14; in Miami, 45-7
1971 – at Buffalo, 29-14; in Miami, 34-0
1972 – in Miami, 24-23; at Buffalo, 30-16
1973 – in Miami, 27-6; at Buffalo, 17-0
1974 – at Buffalo, 24-16; in Miami, 35-28
1975 – at Buffalo, 35-30; in Miami, 31-21
1976 – at Buffalo, 30-21; in Miami, 45-27
1977 – at Buffalo, 13-0; in Miami, 31-14
1978 – in Miami, 31-24; at Buffalo, 25-24
1979 – at Buffalo, 9-7; in Miami, 17-7
However, everything changed during the 1980 season, which ended be a year that a number of older Bills fans hold near and dear to their heart. In the season opener at home against Miami, the Bills had a rookie running back by the name of Joe Cribbs, who rushed for 71 yards and caught 9 passes for 63 yards. Fergie also passed for over 200 yards and the Bermuda Triangle (Love saying that nickname) held Miami to just 13 first downs and forced 4 interceptions (Hmm, Brady had four picks yesterday). Cribbs scored the game-clinching touchdown with a little over 2 minutes remaining in the game and the Bills won, 17-7. The fans were talking proud and ripping down the goal posts. I wonder if Joe Ferguson gave Chris Kelsay a call after yesterday’s game?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBETnH4rB_Y&w=278&h=190]
(Editor’s note: I got some of these Miami/Buffalo stats from Sal Maiorana’s book, “Stadium Stories”)
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