Buffalo Bills Pittsburgh Steelers: Flashback to 1991

Looking back at one of the most memorable encounters between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers

As the Buffalo Bills prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, thoughts turn to previous matchups between the two teams. There are several contenders when it comes to asking about the most memorable encounter.

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One game that comes to mind is a flashback for some of the older members of our audience, when the Bills beat the Steelers for the first time in franchise history, back in 1975. What made the 30-21 victory more impressive was that it came at Three Rivers Stadium, against a team that had won the Super Bowl the year before, and were on their way to a second one.

Another game to consider, was the 24-3 divisional playoff win in 1993, again in Pittsburgh. This game was as surprising as it was dominant, with the Bills marching to a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, this time via the wild card route.

However, in my mind at least, one game stands out above any other. Let’s take you back to a sunny day on September 8th, 1991.

The Bills were in the ascendancy, having come off their best year in franchise history. After losing Super Bowl XXV by a single point, all signs pointed towards this multi-talented roster taking the next, and final, step in 1991.

Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills former quarterback Jim Kelly on the sidelines during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

As such, confidence in Buffalo was understandably at an all-time high. Coming off an exciting, opening-day 35-31 win over the hated Miami Dolphins, it turned out the Bills was just getting warmed up.

Buffalo delivered one of the most dominating offensive performances in team history, led by Jim Kelly. The Hall of Famer was at the height of his powers, running the K-Gun to perfection, and unfortunately for Pittsburgh, they were on the receiving end of it.

Kelly completed 31 passes for 363 yards, helping the team amass 537 yards in total. (The Bills had 582 the week before against the Dolphins.) Most eye-catching of all, he threw a career-high six touchdown, against a secondary that just a season earlier had allowed only nine through the entire year.

However, the Bills field general wasn’t the only one setting personal records, as Don Beebe was on the receiving end of four of the touchdown passes. Certainly, it was a surreal game for Beebe, who entered the contest with just three career scoring catches.

The Steelers did their best to remain in the game, at one point getting to within four points during the third quarter. However, the Bills eventually pulled away to win 52-34, in the process scoring the second-most points in franchise history.

Lost in the explosive air show was a rushing attack which ground out nearly 200 yards, and a defense which allowed just 265 in total. The Bills were, quite simply, almost unstoppable. (This point was further proved by the fact they actually suffered three turnovers during the game.)

Overall, the biggest takeaway from the game was that it came at a time when it seemed like anything was possible for the Bills. No matter who they were playing, no matter what the circumstances were, Marv Levy’s team genuinely believed they would win every time they stepped out onto the field.

Next: Bills vs Steelers: Getting to know the enemy

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