1988 Buffalo Bills season

Last updated

1988 Buffalo Bills season
Owner Ralph Wilson
General manager Bill Polian
Head coach Marv Levy
Home field Rich Stadium
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st AFC East
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Oilers) 17–10
Lost AFC Championship
(at Bengals) 10–21
Pro Bowlers QB Jim Kelly
WR Andre Reed
C Kent Hull
DE Bruce Smith
DT Fred Smerlas
OLB Cornelius Bennett
ILB Shane Conlan
K Scott Norwood

The 1988 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 29th overall season as a football team and the 19th in the National Football League. The Bills ended a streak of four consecutive losing seasons by winning the AFC East. They finished the 1988 season with a record of twelve wins and four losses; it was the club's first winning season since 1981, its first 12-win season since the 1964 AFL championship season, and only the fifth double-digit win season in team history. The Bills were 8–0 at home for the first time in their franchise history. [1] On the road, the Bills were 4–4. From an attendance standpoint, the franchise set a record for attendance with 631,818 fans. [2] It was only their fourth playoff appearance since the NFL-AFL merger.

Contents

This was the first of four consecutive AFC East titles for the Bills. They started the season 11–1 before losing three of their final four games, costing them the top seed in the AFC, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

It was Buffalo's first trip to the postseason since 1981. The Bills were the #2 seed in the AFC (behind #1 Cincinnati), giving the Bills their first home playoff game since the 1966 AFL Championship, and their first ever playoff game at Rich Stadium. The 1988 season would be the first of five AFC Championship game appearances over six seasons, [3] and their only loss in the conference championship game.

The 1988 season was the first for running back Thurman Thomas, nose tackle Jeff Wright, and linebacker Carlton Bailey. Thomas would rush for 881 yards, despite only carrying the ball 207 times (42.7% of total team carries by a running back) while sharing carries with Robb Riddick, Jamie Mueller and Ronnie Harmon.

The Bills had a dominant defense in 1988: they gave up the fewest points (237) and the fewest total yards (4,578) in the AFC in 1988. The defensive unit was given the nickname "Blizzard Defense", [4] [5] alluding to Buffalo's harsh winters.

Four Bills players made the All-Pro team in 1988: defensive end Bruce Smith, linebackers Shane Conlan and Cornelius Bennett, and kicker Scott Norwood.

Head coach Marv Levy was named NFL Coach of the Year by The Sporting News and UPI.

Offseason

NFL draft

ESPN's cameras watched Oklahoma State running back Thurman Thomas in his home as he waited to be drafted. He fell to the second round, where the Bills made him their first pick at 40th overall. Thomas would go on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career, where he would eclipse O. J. Simpson's all-time team rushing record with 12,074 yards. Thomas would set an NFL record by leading the league in yards-from-scrimmage for four consecutive years, from 1989 to 1992. (The record of three was previously held by Hall of Famer Jim Brown.) Thomas was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1992.

1988 Buffalo Bills draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
240 Thurman Thomas  * †  RB Oklahoma State
365 Bernard Ford   WR Central Florida
5123Ezekial Gadson  DB Pittsburgh
5135Kirk Roach  K Western Carolina
6150Dan Murray  OLB East Stroudsburg
7177Tim Borcky  OT Memphis
7184Bo Wright RB Alabama
8204 John Hagy  DB Texas
8213 Jeff Wright   DT Central Missouri State
9235 Carlton Bailey   ILB North Carolina
10262 Martin Mayhew  CB Florida State Placed on injured reserve
11289Pete Curkendall DT Penn State
12309John Driscoll OT New Hampshire
12316 Tom Erlandson  LB Washington
      Made roster    †    Pro Football Hall of Fame     *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[6]

Personnel

Staff

1988 Buffalo Bills staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Marv Levy

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Walt Corey
  • Defensive line – Ted Cottrell
  • Defensive backs – Dick Roach
  • Defensive assistant – Chuck Lester

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


[7]

Roster

1988 Buffalo Bills roster

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

rookies in italics
47 active, 13 inactive

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 4 Minnesota Vikings W 13–101–0 Rich Stadium 76,783
2September 11 Miami Dolphins W 9–62–0Rich Stadium79,520
3September 18at New England Patriots W 16–143–0 Sullivan Stadium 55,945
4September 25 Pittsburgh Steelers W 36–284–0Rich Stadium78,735
5October 2at Chicago Bears L 3–244–1 Soldier Field 62,793
6October 9 Indianapolis Colts W 34–235–1Rich Stadium76,018
7October 17at New York Jets W 37–146–1 Giants Stadium 70,218
8October 23New England PatriotsW 23–207–1Rich Stadium76,824
9October 30 Green Bay Packers W 28–08–1Rich Stadium79,176
10November 6at Seattle Seahawks W 13–39–1 Kingdome 61,074
11November 14at Miami DolphinsW 31–610–1 Joe Robbie Stadium 67,091
12November 20New York JetsW 9–6 (OT)11–1Rich Stadium78,389
13November 27at Cincinnati Bengals L 21–3511–2 Riverfront Stadium 58,672
14December 4at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 5–1011–3 Tampa Stadium 49,498
15December 11 Los Angeles Raiders W 37–2112–3Rich Stadium77,348
16December 18at Indianapolis ColtsL 14–1712–4 Hoosier Dome 59,908
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1

1234Total
Vikings030710
•Bills1000313
Scoring summary
1Bills Scott Norwood 27-yard field goalBills 3–0
1Bills Thurman Thomas 5-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 10–0
2Vikings Chuck Nelson 30-yard field goalBills 10–3
4BillsScott Norwood 26-yard field goalBills 13–3
4Vikings Allen Rice 2-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick)Bills 13–10

Week 2

Miami Dolphins (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-0)
1234Total
Dolphins30306
• Bills03069
Scoring summary
1MIA Fuad Reveiz 31 yard field goalDolphins 3–0
2BUF Scott Norwood 41 yard field goalTie 3–3
3MIAFuad Reveiz 27 yard field goalDolphins 6–3
4BUFScott Norwood 35 yard field goalTie 6–6
4BUFScott Norwood 28 yard field goalBills 9–6

[8]

Week 3

1234Total
• Bills0331016
Patriots0140014
  • Date: September 18
  • Location: Sullivan Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 55,945
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) •Wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn)
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • Television network: NBC
Scoring summary
2BUF Scott Norwood 38 yard field goalBills 3–0
2NE Cedric Jones 41 yard pass from Steve Grogan (Teddy Garcia kick)Patriots 7–3
2NE Stanley Morgan 19 yard pass from Steve Grogan (Teddy Garcia kick)Patriots 14–3
3BUFScott Norwood 44 yard field goalPatriots 14–6
4BUF Robb Riddick 3 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Patriots 14–13
4BUFScott Norwood 41 yard field goalBills 16–14

[9]

Week 4

1234Total
Steelers01401428
• Bills10614636
Scoring summary
Q1BUF Norwood 38 yard field goalBUF 3–0
Q1BUF Burkett 26 yard pass from Kelly (Norwood kick)BUF 10–0
Q2PIT Brister 1 yard run (Anderson kick)BUF 10–7
Q2BUFNorwood 39 yard field goalBUF 13–7
Q2PIT Williams 5 yard pass from Brister (Anderson kick)PIT 14–13
Q2BUFNorwood 39 yard field goalBUF 16–14
Q3BUF Riddick 1 yard run (Norwood kick)BUF 23–14
Q3BUFRiddick 5 yard blocked punt return (Norwood kick)BUF 30–14
Q4BUFNorwood 48 yard field goalBUF 33–14
Q4BUFNorwood 49 yard field goalBUF 36–14
Q4PITBrister 1 yard run (Anderson kick)BUF 36–17
Q4PIT Thompson 42 yard pass from Brister (Anderson kick)BUF 36–24

[10]

Week 5

Buffalo Bills (4-0) at Chicago Bears (4-0)
1234Total
Bills30003
• Bears7170024
Scoring summary
1Bears Emery Moorehead 4-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick)Bears 7–0
1Bills Scott Norwood 28-yard field goalBears 7–3
2Bears Ron Morris 63-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick)Bears 14–3
2Bears Kevin Butler 22-yard field goalBears 17–3
2Bears Dennis Gentry 58-yard rush (Kevin Butler kick)Bears 24–3

[11]

Week 6

Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at Buffalo Bills (4-1)
1234Total
Colts1073323
•Bills07141334
Scoring summary
1Colts Dean Biasucci 31-yard field goalColts 3–0
1Colts Chris Chandler 1-yard run (Dean Biasucci kick)Colts 10–0
2Colts Clarence Verdin 39-yard pass from Gary Hogeboom (Dean Biasucci kick)Colts 17–0
2Bills Ronnie Harmon 26-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Colts 17–7
3Bills Andre Reed 16-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Colts 17–14
3ColtsDean Biasucci 40-yard field goalColts 20–14
3BillsAndre Reed 12-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 21–20
4ColtsDean Biasucci 22-yard field goalColts 23–21
4BillsScott Norwood 45-yard field goalBills 24–23
4BillsScott Norwood 19-yard field goalBills 27–23
4Bills Robb Riddick 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 34–23

Week 7

1234Total
•Bills17143337
Jets077014
Scoring summary
1BUF Scott Norwood 30-yard field goalBills 3–0
1BUF Andre Reed 65-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 10–0
1BUF Flip Johnson 66-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 17–0
2BUF Robb Riddick 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 24–0
2NYJ Johnny Hector 1-yard run (Pat Leahy kick)Bills 24–7
2BUFAndre Reed 16-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)Bills 31–7
3BUFScott Norwood 34-yard field goalBills 34–7
3NYJ Erik McMillan 40-yard interception return (Pat Leahy kick)Bills 34–14
4BUFScott Norwood 28-yard field goalBills 37–14

[12]

Week 8

Week 9

1234Total
Packers00000
• Bills777728
Scoring summary
Q1BUF Riddick 2 yard run (Norwood kick)BUF 7–0
Q2BUF Rolle 1 yard pass from Kelly (Norwood kick)BUF 14–0
Q3BUF Kelso 78 yard interception return (Norwood kick)BUF 21–0
Q4BUF Seals 7 yard fumble return (Norwood kick)BUF 28–0

[13]

Week 12

1234OTTotal
Jets030306
•Bills003339
  • Date: November 20
  • Location: Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 78,389
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C) • Wind 10 mph (16 km/h)
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy
Scoring summary
2NYJ Pat Leahy 23-yard field goalJets 3–0
3BUF Scott Norwood 25-yard field goalTie 3–3
4BUFScott Norwood 26-yard field goalBills 6–3
4NYJPat Leahy 40-yard field goalTie 6–6
OTBUFScott Norwood 30-yard field goalBills 9–6

The Bills clinch the AFC Eastern division title.

[14]

Week 16

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts
1234Total
Bills070714
• Colts3001417

The loss cost the Bills homefield advantage in the AFC playoffs.

[15]

Standings

AFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Buffalo Bills (2)1240.7507–110–2329237L1
Indianapolis Colts 970.5635–37–5354315W1
New England Patriots 970.5635–37–5250284L1
New York Jets 871.5313–56–7–1372354W2
Miami Dolphins 6100.3750–83–9319380L1

Playoffs

AFC Divisional Playoff

Buffalo Bills 17, Houston Oilers 10
Quarter1234Total
Oilers030710
Bills077317

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Buffalo's first playoff game in seven years, first home playoff playoff game in 22 years (since their days in the AFL) and first-ever playoff game at Rich Stadium was a 17–10 win over the Oilers. Jim Kelly threw for 244 yards and an interception while Thurman Thomas and Robb Riddick had rushing scores to go with 87 rushing yards. The Bills intercepted Warren Moon once and forced two Oilers fumbles.

AFC Championship Game

Cincinnati Bengals 21, Buffalo Bills 10
Quarter1234Total
Bills0100010
Bengals770721

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

The Bengals forced three interceptions and allowed only 45 rushing yards and 136 passing yards to go with an offense that held the ball for 39:29 out of sixty minutes. Bills starting running back Thurman Thomas was held to just six yards on four carries, while quarterback Jim Kelly completed only 14-of-30 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

Awards and records

All-Pros

First Team

Second Team

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References

  1. ↑ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN   0-7611-2480-2, p. 262
  2. ↑ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN   0-7611-2480-2, p. 390
  3. ↑ Buffalo also reached the conference championship following the 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 seasons, winning them all
  4. ↑ December 21, 1988, Milwaukee Journal | Retrieved January 11, 2012
  5. ↑ December 22, 1988, Orlando Sentinel | Retrieved January 11, 2012: "ANOTHER BLIZZARD is sweeping through Buffalo. The effects of this one aren't being felt by residents, but by opposing teams at the Buffalo Bills' Rich Stadium. This blizzard is actually The Blizzard Defense, which is the name Bills defenders chose for themselves as part of a local newspaper's Name That Defense contest. Members of the AFC's top-ranked defense selected that name over dozens submitted by readers of The Buffalo News."
  6. ↑ The Football Database. Retrieved 2014-Aug-11.
  7. ↑ 1988 Buffalo Bills Media Guide. pp. 3–24.
  8. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com
  9. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com
  10. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Aug-10.
  11. ↑ . Retrieved 2021-Apr-18.
  12. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com
  13. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-15.
  14. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com
  15. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 2022-Mar-23.
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