The NFL is no stranger to intense and exciting matches with plenty of twists and turns and exciting plays from some of the best players in the sport. No matter what season, what championship, or what team you are watching, there’s bound to be something exciting to witness. That’s what makes the NFL so endlessly captivating, and what draws millions of viewers regularly.
However, there are some moments that truly stand the test of time. Moments that etch themselves forever into the history books and become milestones of achievement. Today, we’re going to discuss one such event that shook up the history of the NFL and the AFC for good.
We all love a good underdog story. We love to root for the little guy and to hope for a comeback. The historic 1993 match between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers, as part of the AFC, is often referred to as “The Comeback”. Let’s find out why, and see why this historic event still brings back fond memories for those that witnessed it firsthand!
Buffalo Bills Vs. Houston Oilers – “The Comeback” – The First Half:
The date was January 3rd, 1993. Fans of the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers had packed the RIch Stadium, based in New York. The match was off to a very rocky start. For the entire first half, it was clear that the Buffalo Bills were not playing at their best. They were having trouble strategizing and being quick on their feet and weren’t committing to any risky moves.
Many amazing plays by Oilers players Warren Moon, Hayward Jeffires, and Steve Christie quickly gained the team a considerable lead over the Bills. A few considerable plays included an 80-yard run from Warren Moon, which took him a great distance across the field, as he cut through the weak defensive line of the Buffalo Bills.
The defensive line of the Buffalo Bills had been significantly hampered by their loss of Cornelius Bennett, who was the team’s best defensive player, and who was sitting out, recovering from injuries.
By the end of the first half, the Houston Oilers had gained an incredible 28 point lead, with the Buffalo Bills only just about managing to scrape 3 points thanks to Steve Christie’s impressive 36-yard goal. With a 28-3 score weighing over their heads, the Buffalo Bills headed into the locker room, dreading what waited ahead of them in the second half…
Buffalo Bills Vs. Houston Oilers – “The Comeback” – The Second Half:
The energy amongst the team in the locker room could best be described as “tense”. Defensive players chided one another and felt extreme shame that the team had managed to lose its incredible streak of repeat victories.
Many players, looking back on the match, still recall that sense of shame, that they were in some way letting down their fans, as well as one another. However, it wasn’t until team coach Marv Levy pitched in imparting that no matter what the result of the second half would turn out to be, they should play in a way that they would be proud of, and that they would not look back on with shame.
It turned out that those simple but effective words were exactly what the team needed. With a renewed vigor, and a determination to see the match through to the very end, the players headed back out onto the field.
It took some further time, but within the third quarter, the Buffalo Bills were already catching up to their opponents. Multiple long-range passes were made, to allow for incredible touchdowns so that the Bills could claw their way back up.
By the final quarter, the team still had a massive number of points to recover, but they had recovered the passion that they had lost in the first half, which was enough for them. However, this wasn’t all that this game had in store for them…
Buffalo Bills Vs. Houston Oilers – “The Comeback” – The Final Quarter:
For the remaining portion of the game, the Buffalo Bills continued to score point after point, with countless successful runs and passes that quickly began to shorten the gap between the two teams. Both teams were beginning to feel the pressure at this point, and the energy in the stadium was palpable, as both teams moved into overtime.
The match was eventually won, in overtime, by the Buffalos, with a score of 41-38, after Steve Christie’s mind-blowing and tide-turning 32-yard field goal!
In Conclusion:
You can probably now tell why this has long proven to be such an impressive and iconic moment in the history of the NFL. The passion displayed by the Buffalo Bills, despite their odds, has created an underdog story to be remembered for generations to come!
If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out Fanduel’s NFL odds, to find out what matches you should keep your eye out for, in case you might witness some more incredible comebacks!
