Important Dates in Bills History, presented by M&T Bank, helps fans recognize what's important. In the NFL, winning big is important and on Jan. 20, 1991 the Bills did just that.
After a successful 13-3 regular season, the Bills were primed to make a run in the playoffs. Buffalo kicked off the divisional round against AFC East foe Miami. Defeating the Dolphins 44-34, the Bills were ready to welcome the Raiders to Western New York.
The Bills, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, dominated at home against a tough Los Angeles defense. Putting up 41 points in the first half, the Bills stunned the Raiders and put on quite a performance for a crowd of over 80,000. During the game, Kelly exercised his famed K-Gun style offense, completing 17 of 23 passes for 300 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Running back Thurman Thomas paved the way on the ground with 25 carries for 138 yards rushing and one touchdown, while James Lofton compiled 113 yards receiving for two scores.
The Raiders, who finished the season as a top seed in the AFC at 12-4, could not get anything going on offense. Los Angeles kicker Jeff Jaeger would record the Raiders only score on a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter. Before the game was over, Buffalo's stacked defense would force seven turnovers to seal the win.
In many ways, the 1990 AFC Championship game signified the beginning of Buffalo's success during the '90s. Advancing to the franchise's first Super Bowl, the Bills would go on to appear in four straight.
