In the sunset season for the concrete cathedral so often overflowed with as many as 80,000 passionate patrons, WIVB News 4 Buffalo is taking a daily look back over 400 games played in the Orchard Park stadium’s 52 years.
Nov. 8
1987 — Bills 21, Broncos 14 — In a prelude to the greatness achieved in coming seasons, the Bills beat up on the reigning AFC champions who would return to the Super Bowl that season. Cornelius Bennett made an immediate impact in his debut after coming to Buffalo in a blockbuster trade that week, joining Pro Bowlers up front Fred Smerlas and Bruce Smith in sacking John Elway, and teaming with rookie of the year Shane Conlan to have two of the league’s best young linebackers swirling around Buffalo’s Blizzard defense. Jim Kelly threw for 135 yards and a touchdown pass to Andre Reed, and Kelly caught a 35-yard pass from Rob Riddick to win his first matchup with Elway four years after the legendary quarterback draft class. Riddick also rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown and blocked a punt that scored a safety for the Bills. Steve Tasker blocked another punt for a safety to put Buffalo up 18-0 at halftime. Ronnie Harmon and rookie fullback Jamie Mueller had solid games as the Bills rushed for 258 of their 428 total yards. The Broncos gained just 215 yards in season they ranked second in the NFL averaging 375. Attendance at Rich Stadium was 63,698 as the Bills improved to 4-4.
1992 — Bills 28, Steelers 20 — The crowd for this one was 80,294 for this one as Jim Kelly passed for 290 yards and three touchdowns and Thurman Thomas rushed for 155 yards and touchdown in a K-Gun clinic. Don Beebe had 101 yards receiving, James Lofton had 79 yards with two TD receptions, tight end Keith McKeller, the namesake for Buffalo’s no-huddle offense had 59 yards, and Kelly even included backup O-lineman Mitch Frerotte in the scoring. Bruce Smith sacked Neil O’Donnell as the Bills (7-2) held the Steelers (6-3) to 233 yards. Buffalo would win a rematch in Pittsburgh with Frank Reich at quarterback in the playoffs.
2015 — Bills 33, Dolphins 17 — Sammy Watkins had the best game of his Bills career catching all eight passes he was targeted on for 168 yards and a touchdown, and LeSean McCoy platooned with rookie running back Karlos Williams to rush for 222 yards and three touchdowns in a needed division win for Rex Ryan’s club. Tyrod Taylor was an efficient 11 of 12 passing for 181 yards with no turnovers. Jerry Hughes sacked Ryan Tannehill twice and forced a fumble. The Bills improved to 4-4 midway through Ryan’s first season. The Dolphins coached by Dan Campbell were 3-5. Attendance at Ralph Wilson Stadium was 70,214.
2020 — Bills 44, Seahawks 34 — There were no fans admitted to Bills Stadium but Josh Allen gave a brilliant performance passing for 415 yards and three touchdowns with a rushing score in a statement game for a Buffalo team taking a step beyond playoff caliber in its trusted process. Winning big in a game they were 3-point underdogs at home, Stefon Diggs had 118 yards receiving, John Brown picked up 99, and Zack Moss ran for a score. The Bills ran for just 32 yards, with Allen losing 27 on seven sacks for a net gain of 5 on the ground. Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White intercepted Russell Wilson, with all three players still in their prime. A.J. Klein had two of the Buffalo’s five sacks. The victory lifted the Bills to 7-2 for the first time in 27 years.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
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