Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Detail shot of a Buffalo Bills helmet and gatorade towel in the second quarter of a game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
As we move along with out ‘This day in History’ series, we come upon one of the bigger days in Buffalo Bills history along with probably the most infamous day as well in Buffalo Bills history.
Saturday Blitz
Today marks the 25th year anniversary since the Buffalo Bills first appearance in the Super Bowl. Super Bowl 25 it was. The Buffalo Bills were set to face the New York Giants at Tampa Stadium. Both teams going into the game were 13-3 through the regular season.
Buffalo was the favorite to win the game and even throughout, looking at the win probability through the game, the Buffalo Bills were favorites for most of the game up until that one play where Scott Norwood would miss the game winning field goal wide right.
The New Giants opened the scoring with a Matt Bahr field goal, 28 yards out. Scott Norwood would match with a 23 yard field goal in the first quarter as well to have the 1st quarter end in a 3-3 tie.
Don Smith rushed for a 1 yard touchdown run to put the Bills up 10-3 and later in the 2nd quarter, Leonard Smith, tackled Jeff Hostetler in the end zone for a safety to put the Bills up 12-3. Stephen Baker caught a 14 yard pass from Hostetler to narrow the Buffalo Bills lead to 12-10 going into the half.
The Giants were the only team to score in the 3rd quarter with Ottis Smith running for a 1 yard touchdown to put the Giants up 17-12.
Thurman Thomas answered the bell and came back with a 31 yard rushing touchdown to put the Buffalo Bills up 19-17 in the 4th quarter. Matt Bahr hit a 21 yard field goal to have the Giants take a 1 point lead 20-19.
Scott Norwood and the Buffalo Bills had a chance to take the lead late in the 4th quarter, but Norwood pushed the winning field goal wide right to end the game 20-19, Giants the victors.
Thurman Thomas had 15 rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown. Jim Kelly went 18-30 for 212 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Buffalo’s defense had 2 sacks on the day, a fumble recovery, and a safety on the day.