Most memorable opening game

[Talley56]

28 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

2006

Bills vs Patriots 

Opening drive- Takeo Spikes strip sacks Tom Brady, and London Fletcher takes it to the house. I was at a Bills party and everyone went absolutely nuts. It was an outdoor party and drinks went flying and people started singing...

 

Unfortunately we ended up losing the game on a JP Losman safety, but there was that one moment of euphoria and hope that maybe we could defeat the mighty Patriots who had just won 3 of the last 4 Superbowls.

 

 

 

That one was painful.  Almost as bad as the MNF opener in NE three years later.  17-7 lead and driving with a chance to increase the lead, 4th and 1 from the NE 7, decided to go for it and got stopped.  NE comes back to win from there. 

[billsbackto81]

29 minutes ago, DBilz2500 said:

2004 week 1 vs Jacksonville: this was my first semester of college. Me and my Bills fan buddy were able to find a Damon’s down the street that was showing the game. We were clearly the better team all game and had no business losing that game. Jacksonville scored a TD on 4th and goal with no time left on a pass to the back of the end zone on a triple covered Ernest Wilford. He actually only got 1 foot down but at the time the “force out” rule was still in play and he was ruled in bounds. A heart breaking loss and with this win we would’ve made the playoffs and the drought never happens 

Literally watched some of this video yesterday and this one really hurt. 

What made it worse was that was the 3rd consecutive 4th down conversion on that last drive by the Jags.  One of them being 4th and 23!!! 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

38 minutes ago, mushypeaches said:

I'm having PTSD of so many awful opening game results during the drought:

 

2002 - Chad Morton runs the opening kickoff of OT back for the TD

2004 - last second pass from Byron Leftwich for the TD after Nate Clements could have just knocked the ball away on a previous 4th down

2007 - the Kevin Everett game with the Broncos sprinting on for the game winning FG

2009 - the Monday night debacle of a comeback vs the Patriots

 

 

i started a thread on here a few years ago about this— there are a string of nightmarish Bills opening day losses. It’s brutal. 

[Xwnyer]

1 hour ago, BillsFan619 said:

In honor of opening weekend, I thought it’d be fun to share our most memorable opening games with each other.

 

Mine is 1989 against the Dolphins. The Bills were down 24-20 with under two minutes to play and no timeouts. They started their drive at their own 49 yard line, thanks to a Nate Odomes interception. Several plays later, and with the clock ticking away, Kelly hits Reed around the four yard line. TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK (Chris Berman voice)! Kelly spikes the ball with 2 seconds left. A penalty by the Dolphins moves the ball a bit closer. Most know what happens next. Kelly runs in and scores the winning TD!!!

 

Two things of note

-That play became so popular that they came out with a Jim Kelly figure with him describing the play (yes, I had the figure)

-Most importantly, this win ended up deciding the division as the bills finished first at 9-7 and the Dolphins finished 8-8

 

What’s your most memorable opener?

1980 opening day beat dolphins

[CNYfan]

27 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

2007 game, but for all the wrong reasons.  I've never heard the stadium more quiet than when Everett was down on the field.  

 

Only real highlight was Roscoe Parrish returning a punt and jumping into our group.  

 

Then in the final seconds Denver has zero timeouts.  Then run their kicking team out, make the FG as time expires to win 15-14.  

 

I was at the game.  I remember during Denver's 2 minute drill, Paul P. the Penn State LB had a sack of Cutler(?) and the ball came loose.  It looked like the Bills' would recover but the Denver QB batted it out of bounds, so Denver kept the Ball.  I think the rule changed during that off season. 

[PonyBoy]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Can there be any other answer than 1980 Bills-Dolphins?

 

89 Dolphins and the 2003 Sam Adams 31-0 beat down of the Patriots are great games but there is nothing to compare to tearing down the goal posts, Fred Smerlas dancing with fans, and the start of a great season.  

Ironically, 2003 home opener, I was in Rhode Island interviewing for a job. Wife and I were going to move there, went to watch the game at a place called Smoky Bones BBQ packed with Patriots fans. Other than some eulogies, never been in a public place so quiet, for so long. Of course I couldn't cheer so as not to get my butt kicked. I sure did smile a lot though. 

 

I've said on this board before, was at the Bills opener in Miami in 89. End zone where Kelly dove, surrounded by Buffalo Jills. Pretty cool to think I've been at 2 of 3 probable best home openers. I've only been at about 7 or 8 Bills games home or away in my life. Other notables were Roland Hooks hail Mary, Randall Cunninghams 95 yard bomb and 1980 Bills vs. Rams curtain call game. 

[Gen2]

Most memorable for me is opening day 1960, I know we were playing Denver, but for the life of me I can't remember if we won or lost let alone the score, but what I do remember;

 

I am son #4 and significantly younger than my brothers, so when "the guys" went out to do something "manly" it was always my dad and three older brothers, I was left at home. 1960 saw my brothers in the military and dad took me to the game. It was the very first time I felt I was one of "the guys".

 

I remember the smells of the peanut venders outside the stadium, I remember the yells of the ticket scalpers, I remember the smells in the tunnel of stale beer, over cooked hot dogs,  and the faintest whiff of urine emanating from the restrooms (which would grow stronger as the game went on and the beer went down).

 

I remember the sight as we emerged from the dark damp tunnel and I saw a sun drenched full sized professional football field for the first time, it was glorious, it was other worldly. It was the start of a long and wonderful fandom.

 

I've attended hundreds of game since that one, but none brings back the flood of nostalgia as that one. 

[BillsFan619]

43 minutes ago, PonyBoy said:

Ironically, 2003 home opener, I was in Rhode Island interviewing for a job. Wife and I were going to move there, went to watch the game at a place called Smoky Bones BBQ packed with Patriots fans. Other than some eulogies, never been in a public place so quiet, for so long. Of course I couldn't cheer so as not to get my butt kicked. I sure did smile a lot though. 

 

I've said on this board before, was at the Bills opener in Miami in 89. End zone where Kelly dove, surrounded by Buffalo Jills. Pretty cool to think I've been at 2 of 3 probable best home openers. I've only been at about 7 or 8 Bills games home or away in my life. Other notables were Roland Hooks hail Mary, Randall Cunninghams 95 yard bomb and 1980 Bills vs. Rams curtain call game. 

That’s really cool that you were at that opening game in 1989. You must’ve been ecstatic when they pulled it off.

[PonyBoy]

1 hour ago, BillsFan619 said:

That’s really cool that you were at that opening game in 1989. You must’ve been ecstatic when they pulled it off.

Was with a great buddy of mine, 22 years old, jumping around with Jills in euphoria. Ecstatic is one of many words I would use to describe that day. Forgot, was at Jeff George's 1st NFL game too. First of the no huddle offense strategy I think too. 

[ChasBB]

4 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Can there be any other answer than 1980 Bills-Dolphins?

 

89 Dolphins and the 2003 Sam Adams 31-0 beat down of the Patriots are great games but there is nothing to compare to tearing down the goal posts, Fred Smerlas dancing with fans, and the start of a great season.  

Agree.

Honorable mention - 1988 home (and season) opener (I was there) ...
13-10 win over Minnesota Vikings (who were in the NFC Championship prior season).
Win demonstrated Buffalo was dead serious at making a playoff run!

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by ChasBB
Clarity

[Another Fan]

2014- road opener against the Bears.  Pretty much nobody including myself thought the Bills had a chance to win that day.  This was right after the Doug vs Doug screaming matches in training camp.  The Bears were supposed to be a contender that year but it never happened.  

 

Anyway I remember Chicago went ahead 7-0 and I decided to go out for a jog....  I wanted to do something constructive versus being aggravated.  Get exercise.

 

To my surprise when I returned in the 3rd quarter the Bills were actually winning!  I thought about not listening to the game anymore as I might have been a jinx now.

 

 

But yeah the game went into OT with that memorable run by Freddie where he stiffed the Chicago defender down to reach the goal line.  

 

It was cool that it was Buffalo's first road win as well in Chicago.  Meaning they had then beaten every team on the road at some point in franchise history.  

Edited September 6, 2021 by Another Fan

[Bermuda Triangle]

23 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

2014- road opener against the Bears.  Pretty much nobody including myself thought the Bills had a chance to win that day.  This was right after the Doug vs Doug screaming matches in training camp.  The Bears were supposed to be a contender that year but it never happened.  

 

Anyway I remember Chicago went ahead 7-0 and I decided to go out for a jog....  I wanted to do something constructive versus being aggravated.  Get exercise.

 

To my surprise when I returned in the 3rd quarter the Bills were actually winning!  I thought about not listening to the game anymore as I might have been a jinx now.

 

 

But yeah the game went into OT with that memorable run by Freddie where he stiffed the Chicago defender down to reach the goal line.  

 

It was cool that it was Buffalo's first road win as well in Chicago.  Meaning they had then beaten every team on the road at some point in franchise history.  

The next week may have been my favorite home opener.  In the week after the Bears game, the Pegulas were named as the winning bidders for the franchise.  The atmosphere around the stadium before the home opener (vs. Miami) was one of sheer euphoria, knowing that our team was staying put.   The fact that we trounced Miami didn't hurt either.

[Utah John]

3 hours ago, Patience said:

I was born in the early '90s, so my favorite would have to be the 31-0 victory over the Pats in 2003.  The signing of Lawyer Milloy a week or so prior just added to the anticipation.  

I was born in the mid-50s and that's my favorite opener too.

[DBilz2500]

7 minutes ago, Utah John said:

I was born in the mid-50s and that's my favorite opener too.

Damn you’re old 

[Patience]

6 minutes ago, Utah John said:

I was born in the mid-50s and that's my favorite opener too.

 

That's great to hear!  I include my birth range to give some context on why that's my favorite opener - didn't get to experience the '80 Dolphins streak breaker, Kelly's run in '89, etc.  I started seriously watching the team right as the drought began.  I've been waiting for a team like this 2021 version for my entire Bills-watching life!

[BillsFan619]

1 hour ago, Patience said:

 

That's great to hear!  I include my birth range to give some context on why that's my favorite opener - didn't get to experience the '80 Dolphins streak breaker, Kelly's run in '89, etc.  I started seriously watching the team right as the drought began.  I've been waiting for a team like this 2021 version for my entire Bills-watching life!

So glad you get to experience something like this.

 

I completely understand why your forum name is Patience. Either that, or you’re a Guns N’ Roses fan.

[Beast]

[djp14150]

4 hours ago, BillsFan619 said:

In honor of opening weekend, I thought it’d be fun to share our most memorable opening games with each other.

 

Mine is 1989 against the Dolphins. The Bills were down 24-20 with under two minutes to play and no timeouts. They started their drive at their own 49 yard line, thanks to a Nate Odomes interception. Several plays later, and with the clock ticking away, Kelly hits Reed around the four yard line. TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK (Chris Berman voice)! Kelly spikes the ball with 2 seconds left. A penalty by the Dolphins moves the ball a bit closer. Most know what happens next. Kelly runs in and scores the winning TD!!!

 

Two things of note

-That play became so popular that they came out with a Jim Kelly figure with him describing the play (yes, I had the figure)

-Most importantly, this win ended up deciding the division as the bills finished first at 9-7 and the Dolphins finished 8-8

 

What’s your most memorable opener?

 

fir season opener

 

1 1980 dolphins defeat

2 Patricheats game beating them 31-0 after picking up Milloy on waivers. I think 2003.

[Bob in STL]

The 1980 win over the extremely hated Dolphins. That was a huge relief.  Any game when the goalposts come down says it all.   
 

I was also at the Milloy 31-0 game but have to vote for the Miami game. 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Bob in STL

[Patience]

36 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

So glad you get to experience something like this.

 

I completely understand why your forum name is Patience. Either that, or you’re a Guns N’ Roses fan.

 

Well, both, but moreso the the former!  Throughout the drought, my late mother always said "maybe next year," or "we just need to be patient," and even though it infuriated me to no end, as fans, it's what we needed to be.  The only bitter part is that my mom didn't get to experience this together with myself and the rest of the family.  She was the most fervent Bills fan I knew or likely will ever know.