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 NFL's 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]
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.
1988 Buffalo Bills staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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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
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[7]
1988 Buffalo Bills roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
rookies in italics
47 active, 13 inactive
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Week
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Record
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
1
|
September 4
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
W 13–10
|
1–0
|
Rich Stadium
|
76,783
|
2
|
September 11
|
Miami Dolphins
|
W 9–6
|
2–0
|
Rich Stadium
|
79,520
|
3
|
September 18
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at New England Patriots
|
W 16–14
|
3–0
|
Sullivan Stadium
|
55,945
|
4
|
September 25
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
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W 36–28
|
4–0
|
Rich Stadium
|
78,735
|
5
|
October 2
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at Chicago Bears
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L 3–24
|
4–1
|
Soldier Field
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62,793
|
6
|
October 9
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Indianapolis Colts
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W 34–23
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5–1
|
Rich Stadium
|
76,018
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7
|
October 17
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at New York Jets
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W 37–14
|
6–1
|
Giants Stadium
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70,218
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8
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October 23
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New England Patriots
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W 23–20
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7–1
|
Rich Stadium
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76,824
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9
|
October 30
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Green Bay Packers
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W 28–0
|
8–1
|
Rich Stadium
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79,176
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10
|
November 6
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at Seattle Seahawks
|
W 13–3
|
9–1
|
Kingdome
|
61,074
|
11
|
November 14
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at Miami Dolphins
|
W 31–6
|
10–1
|
Joe Robbie Stadium
|
67,091
|
12
|
November 20
|
New York Jets
|
W 9–6 (OT)
|
11–1
|
Rich Stadium
|
78,389
|
13
|
November 27
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at Cincinnati Bengals
|
L 21–35
|
11–2
|
Riverfront Stadium
|
58,672
|
14
|
December 4
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at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
L 5–10
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11–3
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Tampa Stadium
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49,498
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15
|
December 11
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Los Angeles Raiders
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W 37–21
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12–3
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Rich Stadium
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77,348
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16
|
December 18
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at Indianapolis Colts
|
L 14–17
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12–4
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Hoosier Dome
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59,908
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
0 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
10 |
• Bills |
10 |
0 | 0 | 3 |
13 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | Bills | Scott Norwood 27-yard field goal | Bills 3–0 |
| 1 | | Bills | Thurman Thomas 5-yard run (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 10–0 |
| 2 | | Vikings | Chuck Nelson 30-yard field goal | Bills 10–3 |
| 4 | | Bills | Scott Norwood 26-yard field goal | Bills 13–3 |
| 4 | | Vikings | Allen Rice 2-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick) | Bills 13–10 |
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Miami Dolphins (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-0)
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Dolphins |
3 |
0 | 3 | 0 |
6 |
• Bills |
0 |
3 | 0 | 6 |
9 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | MIA | Fuad Reveiz 31 yard field goal | Dolphins 3–0 |
| 2 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 41 yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
| 3 | | MIA | Fuad Reveiz 27 yard field goal | Dolphins 6–3 |
| 4 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 35 yard field goal | Tie 6–6 |
| 4 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 28 yard field goal | Bills 9–6 |
|
[8]
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Bills |
0 |
3 | 3 | 10 |
16 |
Patriots |
0 |
14 | 0 | 0 |
14 |
- 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
|
|
|
[9]
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Steelers |
0 |
14 | 0 | 14 |
28 |
• Bills |
10 |
6 | 14 | 6 |
36 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| Q1 | | BUF | Norwood 38 yard field goal | BUF 3–0 |
| Q1 | | BUF | Burkett 26 yard pass from Kelly (Norwood kick) | BUF 10–0 |
| Q2 | | PIT | Brister 1 yard run (Anderson kick) | BUF 10–7 |
| Q2 | | BUF | Norwood 39 yard field goal | BUF 13–7 |
| Q2 | | PIT | Williams 5 yard pass from Brister (Anderson kick) | PIT 14–13 |
| Q2 | | BUF | Norwood 39 yard field goal | BUF 16–14 |
| Q3 | | BUF | Riddick 1 yard run (Norwood kick) | BUF 23–14 |
| Q3 | | BUF | Riddick 5 yard blocked punt return (Norwood kick) | BUF 30–14 |
| Q4 | | BUF | Norwood 48 yard field goal | BUF 33–14 |
| Q4 | | BUF | Norwood 49 yard field goal | BUF 36–14 |
| Q4 | | PIT | Brister 1 yard run (Anderson kick) | BUF 36–17 |
| Q4 | | PIT | Thompson 42 yard pass from Brister (Anderson kick) | BUF 36–24 |
|
[10]
[11]
Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at Buffalo Bills (4-1)
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Colts |
10 |
7 | 3 | 3 |
23 |
• Bills |
0 |
7 | 14 | 13 |
34 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | Colts | Dean Biasucci 31-yard field goal | Colts 3–0 |
| 1 | | Colts | Chris Chandler 1-yard run (Dean Biasucci kick) | Colts 10–0 |
| 2 | | Colts | Clarence Verdin 39-yard pass from Gary Hogeboom (Dean Biasucci kick) | Colts 17–0 |
| 2 | | Bills | Ronnie Harmon 26-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) | Colts 17–7 |
| 3 | | Bills | Andre Reed 16-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) | Colts 17–14 |
| 3 | | Colts | Dean Biasucci 40-yard field goal | Colts 20–14 |
| 3 | | Bills | Andre Reed 12-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 21–20 |
| 4 | | Colts | Dean Biasucci 22-yard field goal | Colts 23–21 |
| 4 | | Bills | Scott Norwood 45-yard field goal | Bills 24–23 |
| 4 | | Bills | Scott Norwood 19-yard field goal | Bills 27–23 |
| 4 | | Bills | Robb Riddick 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 34–23 |
|
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Bills |
17 |
14 | 3 | 3 |
37 |
Jets |
0 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
14 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
---|
| 1 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 30-yard field goal | Bills 3–0 |
| 1 | | BUF | Andre Reed 65-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 10–0 |
| 1 | | BUF | Flip Johnson 66-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 17–0 |
| 2 | | BUF | Robb Riddick 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 24–0 |
| 2 | | NYJ | Johnny Hector 1-yard run (Pat Leahy kick) | Bills 24–7 |
| 2 | | BUF | Andre Reed 16-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick) | Bills 31–7 |
| 3 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 34-yard field goal | Bills 34–7 |
| 3 | | NYJ | Erik McMillan 40-yard interception return (Pat Leahy kick) | Bills 34–14 |
| 4 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 28-yard field goal | Bills 37–14 |
|
[12]
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2014)
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Packers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• Bills |
7 |
7 | 7 | 7 |
28 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | | BUF | Riddick 2 yard run (Norwood kick) | BUF 7–0 |
| Q2 | | BUF | Rolle 1 yard pass from Kelly (Norwood kick) | BUF 14–0 |
| Q3 | | BUF | Kelso 78 yard interception return (Norwood kick) | BUF 21–0 |
| Q4 | | BUF | Seals 7 yard fumble return (Norwood kick) | BUF 28–0 |
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[13]
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
Jets |
0 |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
6 |
• Bills |
0 |
0 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
9 |
- 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
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 2 | | NYJ | Pat Leahy 23-yard field goal | Jets 3–0 |
| 3 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 25-yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
| 4 | | BUF | Scott Norwood 26-yard field goal | Bills 6–3 |
| 4 | | NYJ | Pat Leahy 40-yard field goal | Tie 6–6 |
| OT | | BUF | Scott Norwood 30-yard field goal | Bills 9–6 |
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The Bills clinch the AFC Eastern division title.
[14]
The loss cost the Bills homefield advantage in the AFC playoffs.
[15]
AFC Divisional Playoff
edit
Buffalo's first playoff game since 1981 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
edit
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.
- ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 262
- ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 390
- ^ Buffalo also reached the conference championship following the 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 seasons, winning them all
- ^ December 21, 1988, Milwaukee Journal | Retrieved January 11, 2012
- ^ 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."
- ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2014-Aug-11.
- ^ 1988 Buffalo Bills Media Guide. pp. 3–24.
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Aug-10.
- ^ [1]. Retrieved 2021-Apr-18.
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-15.
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ |Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 2022-Mar-23.