1990 Buffalo Bills season

{{Main|1990 NFL draft}}

{{NFL team draft start

| year = 1990

| teamname = Buffalo Bills

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 1

| pick = 16

| player = James Williams

| position = Cornerback

| college = Fresno State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 42

| player = Carwell Gardner

| position = Fullback

| college = Louisville

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 69

| player = Glenn Parker

| position = Guard

| college = Arizona

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 100

| player = Eddie Fuller

| position = Running back

| college = LSU

| notes =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 154

| player = John Nies

| position = Punter

| college = Arizona

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 166

| player = Brent Griffith

| position = Guard

| college = Minnesota–Duluth

| notes =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 170

| player = Brent Collins

| position = Linebacker

| college = Carson–Newman

| notes =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 181

| player = Fred DeRiggi

| position = Defensive tackle

| college = Syracuse

| notes =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 8

| pick = 208

| player = Marvcus Patton

| position = Linebacker

| college = UCLA

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 9

| pick = 238

| player = Clarkston Hines

| position = Wide receiver

| college = Duke

| notes =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 10

| pick = 265

| player = Mike Lodish

| position = Defensive tackle

| college = UCLA

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 11

| pick = 292

| player = Al Edwards

| position = Wide receiver

| college = Northwestern State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft end

| probowl = no

| hof = no

}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1990_draft.htm |title=1990 Buffalo Bills Draftees |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=December 24, 2013 }}

{{NFL final staff

| year = 1990

| team = Buffalo Bills

| front_office =

• President – Ralph Wilson
• Vice president of administration/general manager – Bill Polian
• Assistant general manager/director of pro personnel – Bob Ferguson
• Director of player personnel – John Butler
• Assistant director/collegiate scouting – A. J. Smith
• Administrative assistant to the head coach – Chuck Lester

| head_coach =

• Vice president for football operations/head coach – Marv Levy

| offensive =

• Offensive coordinator – Ted Marchibroda
• Running backs – Elijah Pitts
• Receivers – Nick Nicolau
• Offensive quality control/tight ends – Don Lawrence
• Offensive line – Tom Bresnahan

| defensive =

• Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Walt Corey
• Defensive line – Chuck Dickerson
• Defensive backs – Dick Roach
• Defensive quality control – Chuck Lester

| special_teams =

• Special teams – Bruce DeHaven

| strength =

• Strength and conditioning coordinator – Rusty Jones

}}

Bruce Smith set a club record with 19 sacks. Smith also had 101 tackles.

• September 24, 1990 – Thurman Thomas rushed for 214 yards versus the New York Jets. It was the second highest total in the history of Monday Night Football.
• Bruce Smith had 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 hurries in the Bills 30–23 victory over Philadelphia.
• Bruce Smith had 9 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 pressures in the Bills victory over Indianapolis.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Buffalo Bills|year=1990|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week One: Indianapolis Colts (0–0) at Buffalo Bills (0–0)

|date=September 9

|time=4:00 p.m. EST

|road=Colts

|R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=7 |R4=0

|home=Bills

|H1=3 |H2=13 |H3=0 |H4=10

|stadium=Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|attendance=78,899

|weather={{Convert|59|F|C}}

|referee=Gerald Austin

|TV= NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Jim Donovan and Cris Collinsworth

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009090buf.htm Box Score], [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1990090910 Box Score]

|scoring=

First quarter

• BUF – Scott Norwood 24-yard field goal, 8:04. Bills 3–0.
• IND – Dean Biasucci 24-yard field goal, 0:12. Tie 3–3.

Second quarter

• BUF – Butch Rolle 3-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick), 5:14. Bills 10–3.
• BUF – Scott Norwood 31-yard field goal, 1:58. Bills 13–3.
• BUF – Scott Norwood 37-yard field goal, 0:08. Bills 16–3.

Third quarter

• IND – Stanley Morgan 25-yard pass from Jeff George (Dean Biasucci kick), 6:38. Bills 16–10.

Fourth quarter

• BUF – Scott Norwood 47-yard field goal, 6:08. Bills 19–10.
• BUF – Thurman Thomas 6-yard run (Scott Norwood kick), 1:37. Bills 26–10.

|stats=

;Top passers

• IND – Jeff George – 13/24, 160 yards, TD
• BUF – Jim Kelly – 28/37, 283 yards, TD

;Top rushers

• IND – Albert Bentley – 15 rushes, 50 yards
• BUF – Thurman Thomas – 20 rushes, 84 yards, TD

;Top receivers

• IND – Stanley Morgan – 2 receptions, 47 yards, TD
• BUF – Keith McKeller – 7 receptions, 78 yards

}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3= 0|V4=7

|Host=Dolphins

|H1=0 |H2=16 |H3= 7|H4=7

|Date=September 16

|Location=Joe Robbie Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Dick Hantak

|TVAnnouncers= Joel Myers and Ahmad Rashad

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills offense never got rolling and were soundly defeated on the road, 30–7, to their rival Miami Dolphins.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1= 7|V2=13 |V3= 3|V4=7

|Host=Jets

|H1= 7|H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=September 24

|Location=Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

|StartTime=9:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather={{convert|57|F}}, wind {{convert|17|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee= Tom Dooley

|TVAnnouncers=Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf

|TVStation=ABC

}}

• Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009240nyj.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter= 1|Time= |Team=NYJ |Event=Brad Baxter 1-yard run (Pat Leahy kick) |Score= Jets 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Kenneth Davis 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= Tie 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Butch Rolle 2-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= Bills 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Scott Norwood 48-yard field goal |Score=Bills 17–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= BUF|Event=Scott Norwood 42-yard field goal |Score= Bills 20–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Scott Norwood 27-yard field goal |Score= Bills 23–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Keith McKeller 6-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= Bills 30–7|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Broncos

|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Bills

|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=6 |H4=20

|Date=September 30

|Location=Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather={{convert|58|F}}; wind {{convert|11|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee= Bob McElwee

|TVAnnouncers= Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q1 |Time= |Team=DEN |Event=Humphrey 1 yard run (Treadwell kick)|Score= DEN 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team= DEN|Event= Sewell 3 yard run (Treadwell kick) |Score= DEN 14–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team= BUF|Event=Norwood 37 yard field goal |Score= DEN 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team= BUF|Event=Smith 12 yard run (kick failed) |Score= DEN 14–9}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q3|Time= |Team= DEN|Event=Winder 3 yard run (Treadwell kick) |Score= DEN 21–9}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Bennett 80 yard blocked field goal return (Norwood kick) |Score= DEN 21–16}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Smith 39 yard interception return (kick failed) |Score= BUF 22–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Davis 2 yard run (Norwood kick) |Score= BUF 29–21}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q4|Time= |Team= DEN|Event=Nattiel 7 yard pass from Elway (Treadwell kick) |Score= BUF 29–28|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills avenged their 1989 Monday Night defeat against the defending AFC Champion Broncos. The Broncos rushed for 208 yards, led 21–9 after three quarters, and held Jim Kelly and the offense to just 197 yards of offense, but the pivotal play of the game erupted in the fourth on a touchdown return of a blocked Bronco field goal by linebacker Cornelius Bennett. That started a three-touchdown, 20-point outburst in all of 77 seconds, with Leonard Smith returning a John Elway interception for one score and recovering an Elway fumbled snap inside the 5 to set up yet another easy touchdown to win 29–28.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Raiders

|V1=7 |V2=3 |V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Bills

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=24

|Date=October 7

|Location=Rich Stadium

|StartTime=7:30 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=80,076

|Weather={{convert|71|F|C}}; wind {{convert|16|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee=Red Cashion

|TVAnnouncers=Skip Caray and Pat Haden

|TVStation=NFL on TNT

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills, on Sunday Night Football, trailed 24–14 in the fourth quarter before erupting to 24 points to defeat the then-unbeaten Los Angeles Raiders, 38–24. Among the fourth quarter scores were a blocked punt by Steve Tasker, returned by J.D. Williams, where Skip Caray burst into saying "They've done it again, they've done it again!" referencing the prior weeks block of a field goal for a TD return vs Denver....and a fumble return by Nate Odomes.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Jets

|V1=7 |V2=14 |V3=3 |V4=3

|Host=Bills

|H1=0 |H2=17 |H3=7 |H4=6

|Date=October 21

|Location=Rich Stadium

|StartTime=1:00PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=79,002

|Weather={{convert|53|F|C}}; wind {{convert|12|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee=Tom White

|TVAnnouncers=Don Criqui and Ahmad Rashad

|TVStation=NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

For the third straight game the Bills erased a two-score gap for the win. The Jets led 21–7 in the second quarter and 24–17 in the third, but Kelly's 60-yard score to James Lofton tied the game entering the fourth quarter. Jamie Mueller's touchdown catch then won it, 30–27.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=7 |V2=7 |V3= 13|V4=0

|Host=Patriots

|H1= 0|H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=October 28

|Location=Sullivan Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=51,959

|Weather={{convert|45|F|C}}; wind {{convert|12|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee= Gene Barth

|TVAnnouncers=Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills beat the Patriots 27-10 at Foxboro Stadium, known as Sullivan Stadium at the time.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1= 7|V2= 7|V3=7 |V4=21

|Host=Browns

|H1=0 |H2= 0|H3= 0|H4=0

|Date=November 4

|Location=Cleveland Municipal Stadium

|StartTime=4:00

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=78,331

|Weather=

|Referee= Jerry Seeman

|TVAnnouncers= Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills avenged last season's playoff loss by destroying the Cleveland Browns in their own stadium 42–0.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Cardinals

|V1=7 |V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=0

|Host=Bills

|H1=0 |H2= 21|H3= 0|H4=24

|Date=November 11

|Location=Rich Stadium

|StartTime=1:00 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=74,904

|Weather={{convert|37|F|C}}; wind {{convert|27|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee= Bob McElwee

|TVAnnouncers= Dick Stockton and Merlin Olsen

|TVStation=CBS

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills welcomed the NFC East team Phoenix Cardinals to an extremely windy Rich Stadium, and defeated them 45–14.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Patriots

|V1= 0|V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Bills

|H1= 7|H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=November 18

|Location=Rich Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Johnny Grier

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills, led by 209 yards on the ground (including an 80 yard Thurman Thomas TD run), shut out the Patriots 14-0 at Rich Stadium.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1= 7|V2= 7|V3= 3|V4=7

|Host=Oilers

|H1= 7|H2=6 |H3= 7|H4=7

|Date=November 26

|Location=Astrodome

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=Indoors (dome)

|Referee= Jim Tunney

|TVAnnouncers= Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf

|TVStation=ABC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

A year after Buffalo's epic 47–41 win at the Astrodome they returned there at 9-1 to face the 5–5 Oilers on Monday Night Football. This time the Oilers made sure there would be no comeback as Warren Moon and Lorenzo White authored 425 combined yards of offense and three touchdowns. Kelly managed two touchdowns and a pick as the Bills fell 27–24 to their former division foe.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Philadelphia Eagles (7-4) at Buffalo Bills (9-2)

|Visitor=Eagles

|V1=0 |V2=16 |V3=7 |V4=0

|Host=Bills

|H1=24 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=3

|Date=December 2

|Location=Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|StartTime=1:00 p.m.

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=Sunny; {{convert|42|F}}; wind {{convert|16|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee=Tom Dooley

|TVAnnouncers=Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts

|TVStation=NFL on CBS|CBS

}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q1 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=James Lofton 63 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) |Score=BUF 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q1|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Scott Norwood 43 yard field goal |Score= BUF 10–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q1|Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Andre Reed 56 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= BUF 17–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q1|Time= |Team=BUF |Event= Thurman Thomas 4 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= BUF 24–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q2|Time= |Team=PHI |Event=Keith Jackson 18 yard pass from Randall Cunningham (kick failed) |Score= BUF 24–6}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team= PHI|Event=Roger Ruzek 32 yard field goal |Score= BUF 24–9}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team= PHI|Event=Fred Barnett 95 yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick) |Score= BUF 24–16}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=PHI |Event=Keith Byars 1 yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick) |Score= BUF 24–23}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Scott Norwood 21 yard field goal |Score= BUF 27–23}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team=BUF |Event=Scott Norwood 45 yard field goal |Score= BUF 30–23|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills opened the game in the no-huddle offense and used it the whole game. The Bills went up 24–0 in the 1st qtr and eventually won the game 30–23.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/ |title=Official Site of the National Football League |access-date=May 22, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.billszone.com/ |title=BillsZone – by Bills fans for Bills fans |access-date=May 22, 2013}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1= 14|V2=7 |V3= 3|V4=7

|Host=Colts

|H1= 0|H2= 0|H3=7 |H4=0

|Date=December 9

|Location=Hoosier Dome Indianapolis

|StartTime=1:00 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=53,268

|Weather=Dome

|Referee=Gene Barth

|TVAnnouncers= Marv Albert and Paul Maguire

|TVStation=NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1=7 |V2= 7|V3=0 |V4=3

|Host=Giants

|H1=7 |H2= 3|H3= 3|H4=0

|Date=December 15

|Location=Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey

|StartTime=12:30 PM

|TimeZone=EST

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=66,893

|Weather={{Convert|37|F|C}} • {{Convert|10|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee=Pat Haggerty (American football official)

|TVAnnouncers=Dick Enberg, Bill Walsh (American football coach), and O. J. Simpson

|TVStation= NFL on NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills pulled out a close win this Saturday afternoon, in a game in which both starting quarterbacks went down with injuries. Jim Kelly, and New York QB Phil Simms, with the later being out for the season.

{{AFB game box start}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q1 |Time=7:58 |Team=NYG |Event=Ottis Anderson 1 yard rush (Matt Bahr kick) |Score=NYG 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q1|Time=6:30 |Team=BUF |Event=Andre Reed 6 yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= TIE 7–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q2|Time=14:09 |Team=BUF |Event=Thurman Thomas 2 yard rush (Scott Norwood kick) |Score= BUF 14–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q2|Time= |Team=NYG |Event=Matt Bahr 23 yard field goal |Score= BUF 14–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q3|Time= |Team=NYG |Event=Matt Bahr 22 yard field goal |Score= BUF 14–13}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= Q4|Time=|Team=BUF |Event=Scott Norwood 29 yard field goal |Score= BUF 17–13|LastEntry=yes}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Dolphins

|V1= 0|V2= 0|V3=7 |V4=7

|Host=Bills

|H1= 0|H2= 7|H3=10 |H4=7

|Date=December 23

|Location=Rich Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=80,325

|Weather={{Convert|35|F|C}} • {{Convert|5|mph|km/h knot}}

|Referee= Red Cashion

|TVAnnouncers= Marv Albert and Paul Maguire

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The Bills, under backup quarterback Frank Reich, defeated the Miami Dolphins and wrapped up the AFC East title. Reich connected with James Lofton and Andre Reed for touchdowns, ultimately winning 24–14 despite fourteen penalties to five for Miami.

{{Clear}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Bills

|V1= 0|V2=0 |V3= 7|V4=7

|Host=Redskins

|H1= 3|H2=6 |H3= 3|H4=17

|Date=December 30

|Location=RFK Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee= Dale Hamer

|TVAnnouncers= Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy

|TVStation= NBC

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Bills Head Coach Marv Levy decided to rest his starters for the playoffs, dropping the final game of the season in Washington, 29–14. The Bills finished with their best record in team history at 13 wins 3 losses.

{{Clear}}

{{1990 AFC East standings}}

NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 292

Miami Dolphins (12–4) at Buffalo Bills (13–3)

{{Americanfootballbox

|Road=Dolphins

|R1=3

|R2=14

|R3=3

|R4=14

|Home=Bills

|H1=13

|H2=14

|H3=3

|H4=14

|state=collapsed

|stadium= Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|time= Saturday, January 12, 1991. 12:30 pm EST

|weather= {{convert|31|°F|°C}}, light snow

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Marv Albert and Paul Maguire

|referee= Bob McElwee

|attendance= 77,087

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101120buf.htm Box Score]

|scoring=

First quarter

• BUF – Andre Reed 40-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)
• MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 29-yard field goal
• BUF – Scott Norwood 24-yard field goal
• BUF – Scott Norwood 22-yard field goal

Second quarter

• BUF – Thurman Thomas 5-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• MIA – Mark Duper 64-yard pass from Dan Marino (Pete Stoyanovich kick)
• BUF – James Lofton 13-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)
• MIA – Dan Marino 2-yard run (Pete Stoyanvich kick)

Third quarter

• MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 22-yard field goal
• BUF – Scott Norwood 28-yard field goal

Fourth quarter

• MIA – Roy Foster 2-yard pass from Dan Marino (Pete Stoyanovich kick)
• BUF – Thurman Thomas 5-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• BUF – Andre Reed 26-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)
• MIA – Tony Martin 8-yard pass from Dan Marino (Pete Stoyanovich kick)

|stats=

Passing

• MIA – Dan Marino 23/49, 323 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
• BUF – Jim Kelly 19/29, 339 yards, 3 TD, INT

Rushing

• MIA – Sammie Smith 21 att, 99 yards
• BUF – Thurman Thomas 32 att, 117 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

• MIA – Mark Duper 3 rec, 113 yards, TD
• BUF – James Lofton 7 rec, 149 yards, TD

}}

Despite being a close score, the Bills never trailed in this classic Jim Kelly versus Dan Marino shootout. The weather, steady light snow, had crews occasionally come out to shovel off the 10- and 5-yard lines. Despite the conditions, both team offenses were explosive. In the end, after winning the AFC East crown from the Dolphins a few weeks earlier, the Bills also ended the 'Fins season in a game which had 78 combined points.

Los Angeles Raiders (13–4) at Buffalo Bills (14–3)

{{Americanfootballbox

|Road=Raiders

|R1=3

|R2=0

|R3=0

|R4=0

|Home=Bills

|H1=21

|H2=20

|H3=0

|H4=10

|stadium= Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

|time= Sunday, January 20, 1991. 12:30 pm EST

|weather= {{convert|35|°F|°C}}, rain/light snow

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Dick Enberg and Bill Walsh

|referee= Jim Tunney

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101200buf.htm Box Score]

|attendance= 80,325

|scoring=

First quarter

• BUF – James Lofton 13-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)
• LA – Jeff Jaeger 41-yard field goal
• BUF – Thurman Thomas 12-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• BUF – Darryl Talley 27-yard interception return (Scott Norwood kick)

Second quarter

• BUF – Kenneth Davis 1-yard run (kick failed)
• BUF – Kenneth Davis 3-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• BUF – James Lofton 8-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick)

Fourth quarter

• BUF – Kenneth Davis 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• BUF – Scott Norwood 39-yard field goal

|stats=

Passing

• LA – Jay Schroeder 13/31, 150 yards, 5 INT
• BUF – Jim Kelly 17/23, 300 yards, 2 TD, INT

Rushing

• LA – Greg Bell 5 att, 36 yards
• BUF – Thurman Thomas 25 att, 138 yards, TD

Receiving

• LA – Mervyn Fernandez 4 rec, 57 yards
• BUF – James Lofton 5 rec, 113 yards, 2 TD

}}

The Bills shredded the Raiders, limiting quarterback Jay Schroeder to 13 of 31 completions for 150 yards and intercepting him 5 times, while also holding running back Marcus Allen to just 26 yards on 10 carries. The Raiders offense clearly missed running back Bo Jackson, who suffered what would turn out to be a career-ending injury the week before in a win against the Cincinnati Bengals. On offense, the Bills amassed 502 total yards, including 202 yards on the ground. Running back Thurman Thomas rushed for 138 and a touchdown while also catching 5 passes for 61 yards, while running back Kenneth Davis tied an AFC playoff record with 3 rushing touchdowns. Buffalo also set an NFL playoff record by scoring 41 points in the first half. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly threw for 300 yards and two touchdown passes to wide receiver James Lofton, who finished the game with 5 receptions for 113 yards. Thomas recorded a 12-yard touchdown run, while Davis scored from 1 yard, 3 yards, and 1 yard out. Linebacker Darryl Talley returned one of his two interceptions 27 yards for a touchdown.

{{Main|Super Bowl XXV}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle=

|state=collapsed

|title=

|date=January 27, 1991

|time=5:30 p.m.

|road=Bills

|R1=3 |R2=9 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Giants

|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=3

|stadium=Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

|attendance=

|weather={{convert|62|F}}, wind {{convert|8|mph|abbr=on}}

|referee=Jerry Seeman

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101270buf.htm Box Score]

|scoring=

First quarter

• NYG – Matt Bahr 28-yard field goal
• BUF – Scott Norwood 23-yard field goal

Second quarter

• BUF – Don Smith 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• BUF – Safety, Bruce Smith tackled Jeff Hostetler in end zone
• NYG – Stephen Baker 14-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Matt Bahr kick)

Third quarter

• NYG – Ottis Anderson 1-yard run (Matt Bahr kick)

Fourth quarter

• BUF – Thurman Thomas 31-yard run (Scott Norwood kick)
• NYG – Matt Bahr 21-yard field goal

|stats=

Passing

• BUF – Jim Kelly 18/30, 212 yards
• NYG – Jeff Hostetler 20/32, 222 yards, TD

Rushing

• BUF – Thurman Thomas 15 att, 135 yards, TD
• NYG – Ottis Anderson 21 att, 102 yards, TD

Receiving

• BUF – Andre Reed 8 rec, 62 yards
• NYG – Mark Ingram 5 rec, 74 yards

}}

To counteract the Bills' no-huddle offense, the Giants' strategy was to use a power running game utilizing O.J. Anderson, aided by quarterback rollouts, bootlegs, and play-action fakes. As tight end Mark Bavaro later recalled, "[w]e came out with three tight ends, fat slobs picking you up and moving you and letting you tackle O.J., if you could."O'Donnell, Chuck. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCL/is_8_34/ai_n13562634 Mark Bavaro: the former Giants tight end remembers being on pins and needles as Buffalo's Scott Norwood lined up for his ill-fated field goal in Super Bowl 25], Football Digest, June 2005, accessed May 9, 2007. This enabled them to take time off the clock and limit Buffalo's possessions. The Giants set a Super Bowl record for time of possession with 40 minutes, 33 seconds, including 22 minutes in the second half. On defense, New York wanted to be physical with Buffalo's wideouts, and play with extra defensive backs to concentrate on stopping the Bills passing game, while conceding the running game.

The contrast in strategies was evident during the first period. After forcing the Bills to punt on the opening drive of the game, the Giants consumed 6:15 off the clock by marching 58 yards in 10 plays to score on a 28-yard field goal from Matt Bahr. In that drive, New York ran five rushing plays and five passing plays. But the Bills struck right back on their ensuing possession with a five-play, 66-yard drive that took 1:23 off the clock, including a tipped 61-yard completion from quarterback Jim Kelly to receiver James Lofton that set up Scott Norwood's 23-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3.

After forcing the Giants to punt on their ensuing possession, the Bills' offensive strategy started to work to perfection. Kelly led the Bills on a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive that consumed 4:27 and moved the ball so effectively that the team never faced a third down. Kelly completed six consecutive passes (four to Andre Reed) for 62 yards, and running back Don Smith capped it off with a one-yard touchdown run to give Buffalo a 10–3 lead. Smith's 1-yard touchdown run was his only carry of the game and the last carry of his career. Reed's 5 first quarter receptions were a Super Bowl record.

After trading punts, the Giants were pinned at their own 7-yard line. On second down, defensive lineman Bruce Smith sacked quarterback Jeff Hostetler in the end zone for a safety, increasing the Bills' lead 12–3. On the play, Smith had a chance to force a fumble since Hostetler was holding the football with only his throwing hand. But to his credit, Hostetler held the ball away from Smith, helping to ensure that only 2 points would be surrendered.

The Bills started out on their next drive with great field position following the free kick, but were forced to punt after 3 plays. Taking the ball at their own 13-yard line with 3:43 left in the second quarter, the Giants abandoned their long drive strategy and employed a quick strike attack of their own. Hostetler led the Giants 87 yards, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephen Baker with just 25 seconds left in the half to cut New York's deficit to 12–10.

The Giants then opened the third quarter and resumed their original game strategy by driving 75 yards in 14 plays to score on Ottis Anderson's one-yard touchdown run, taking their first lead of the game since their opening possession at 17–12. The drive consumed a Super Bowl record nine minutes and 29 seconds, and included four successful third down conversions. The highlight was a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Ingram on 3rd down and 13 yards to go. Ingram caught a short pass and broke five Buffalo tackles to get the first down and keep the drive alive.

After forcing Buffalo to punt on their ensuing possession, New York drove to the Bills' 35-yard line. But on fourth and two, Smith tackled Anderson for a 2-yard loss. Buffalo then took over and stormed down the field, advancing 63 yards in just four plays and scoring on a 31-yard burst from running back Thurman Thomas on the first play of the fourth quarter, regaining the lead at 19–17. Thomas' fourth-quarter touchdown run marked 1,000 points scored in Super Bowl history (1,001 with the extra point).

However, before the Bills' defenders had a chance to catch their breath, they found themselves back on the field trying to contain another long Giants drive. This one went for 14 plays and 74 yards, half of which came off passes from Hostetler to tight end Mark Bavaro, and took another 7:32 off the clock. The Bills managed to halt the drive at their own 3-yard line when linebacker Cornelius Bennett broke up Hostetler's third down pass, but Bahr kicked his second field goal to give New York a 20–19 lead.

On the Bills' ensuing possession, they could only advance to their own 41-yard line before having to punt, enabling the Giants to take more time off the clock. The Bills finally forced New York to punt and took the ball at their own 10-yard line with 2:16 remaining. Kelly then led them down the field with a mix of scrambles, short passes, and Thomas runs. Buffalo drove to the Giants' 29-yard line, setting up Norwood for a 47-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds left. However, his kick barely sailed wide right, sealing New York's victory with 4 seconds left.

Thomas led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage for the second consecutive season. His 1,297 yards led the AFC and was second in the NFL to Barry Sanders. Thomas had at least 100 total yards in 10 of the Bills 16 games. After gaining 219 total yards versus the New York Jets, Thomas was named AFC offensive player of the week.

Note: Rush = Rushing Yards; REC = Receiving Yards

{{CFB Team Depth Chart

| OScheme = Pro-Set

| DScheme = 3-4

| SpecialTeams = Yes

| KeyReserves = No

| 3Deep = No

| QB_Starter = Jim Kelly

| QB_Backup =

| QB_Third =

| RB1_Starter = Thurman Thomas

| RB1_Backup =

| RB1_Third =

| RB2_Starter =

| RB2_Backup =

| RB2_Third =

| FB_Starter = Jamie Mueller

| FB_Backup =

| FB_Third =

| SB1_Starter =

| SB1_Backup =

| SB1_Third =

| SB2_Starter =

| SB2_Backup =

| SB2_Third =

| WR1_Starter = James Lofton

| WR1_Backup =

| WR1_Third =

| WR1_SchoolName =

| WR2_Starter = Andre Reed

| WR2_Backup =

| WR2_Third =

| WR2_SchoolName =

| WR3_Starter =

| WR3_Backup =

| WR3_Third =

| WR3_SchoolName =

| WR4_Starter =

| WR4_Backup =

| WR4_Third =

| WR4_SchoolName =

| TE1_Starter = Keith McKeller

| TE1_Backup =

| TE1_Third =

| TE2_Starter =

| TE2_Backup =

| TE2_Third =

| LT_Starter = Will Wolford

| LT_Backup =

| LT_Third =

| LG_Starter = Jim Ritcher

| LG_Backup =

| LG_Third =

| C_Starter = Kent Hull

| C_Backup =

| C_Third =

| RG_Starter = John Davis

| RG_Backup =

| RG_Third =

| RT_Starter = Howard Ballard

| RT_Backup =

| RT_Third =

| ROLB_Starter = Darryl Talley

| ROLB_Backup =

| ROLB_Third =

| ROLB_SchoolName =

| RILB_Starter = Ray Bentley

| RILB_Backup = Carlton Bailey

| RILB_Third =

| RILB_SchoolName =

| MLB_Starter =

| MLB_Backup =

| MLB_Third =

| MLB_SchoolName =

| LILB_Starter = Shane Conlan

| LILB_Backup =

| LILB_Third =

| LILB_SchoolName =

| LOLB_Starter = Cornelius Bennett

| LOLB_Backup =

| LOLB_Third =

| LOLB_SchoolName =

| FS_Starter = John Hagy

| FS_Backup = Mark Kelso

| FS_Third =

| SS_Starter = Leonard Smith

| SS_Backup =

| SS_Third =

| SS_SchoolName =

| S_Starter =

| S_Backup =

| S_Third =

| DB1_Starter = Kirby Jackson

| DB1_Backup = James Williams

| DB1_Third =

| DB2_Starter = Nate Odomes

| DB2_Backup =

| DB2_Third =

| RDE_Starter = Bruce Smith

| RDE_Backup =

| RDE_Third =

| RDT_Starter =

| RDT_Backup =

| RDT_Third =

| NT_Starter = Jeff Wright

| NT_Backup =

| NT_Third =

| LDT_Starter =

| LDT_Backup =

| LDT_Third =

| LDE_Starter = Leon Seals

| LDE_Backup =

| LDE_Third =

| DE_SchoolName =

| PK_Starter = Scott Norwood

| PK_Backup =

| P_Starter = Rick Tuten

| P_Backup =

| Kick_Returner = Don Smith

| Punt_Returner = Al Edwards

| Long_Snapper =

| Holder =

| Key_Reserve_1 =

| Key_Reserve_2 =

| Key_Reserve_3 =

| Key_Reserve_4 =

| Key_Reserve_5 =

| Key_Reserve_6 =

| Key_Reserve_7 =

| Key_Reserve_8 =

| OffenseRef = [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1990_roster.htm]

| DefenseRef = [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1990_roster.htm]

| ColWidth = 85

| FontSize = 85

| Debug = No

}}

• Led NFL in Points Scored, 428
• Jim Kelly, NFL Passing Leader, 101.2 Passer Rating
• Jim Kelly, Most Valuable Player, Pro Bowl
• Bruce Smith, NFL Defensive Player of the Year
• Bruce Smith, UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year, Defense
• Bruce Smith, Newspaper Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Bruce Smith, Team Record, Number of Sacks in a Single Season, (19)
• Bruce Smith, AFC Defensive Player of the Month, December
• Thurman Thomas, NFL Combined Yards from Scrimmage Leader

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1990.htm?redir 1990 Buffalo Bills] at Pro-Football-Reference.com

{{Buffalo Bills}}

{{Buffalo Bills seasons}}

{{1990 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1990 Buffalo Bills Season}}

Buffalo Bills

Category:AFC East championship seasons

Category:American Football Conference championship seasons

Category:Buffalo Bills seasons

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