Throwback: ‘81 Divisional Playoff Bills @ Bengals

[Chandler#81]

We beat the Jets in the WC game and the winner of this game goes to the Conference Championship. Knox won more Coach of the Year accolades and future appeared very bright!..

 

Enjoy

 

[Stranded in Boston]

Chan, I like it better when you post old videos of wins ...  😵‍💫  

[34-78-83]

Without watching again, I recall a controversial play or ref call involving Lou Piccone in this game that could have changed the outcome. Is that accurate or am I just old?

 

[Ned Flanders]

5 hours ago, 34-78-83 said:

Without watching again, I recall a controversial play or ref call involving Lou Piccone in this game that could have changed the outcome. Is that accurate or am I just old?

 

I recall he caught a first down pass on the final drive and there was a penalty (surprise)…without looking at the video, I think it was delay of game.

[Chandler#81]

6 hours ago, Stranded in Boston said:

Chan, I like it better when you post old videos of wins ...  😵‍💫  

Sadly, that limits the library significantly..🤦‍♂️

[Another Fan]

Colinsworth as a player 

[DeepPass]

6 hours ago, Ned Flanders said:

I recall he caught a first down pass on the final drive and there was a penalty (surprise)…without looking at the video, I think it was delay of game.

The penalty was delay of game. The Bills had a great, veteran team in '81.

[Beast]

Chuck Knox was furious and blamed that loss on Joe Ferguson. I can’t remember what book I read it in but supposedly Knox was watching the game film from the endzone behind Ferguson and the 30 second clock was right in front of Ferguson….and Knox mumbles that you’d think the guy we pay all that money to (Ferguson) could read a clock.

Edited April 5 by Beast

[plenzmd1]

On 4/4/2025 at 10:57 PM, DeepPass said:

The penalty was delay of game. The Bills had a great, veteran team in '81.

 

On 4/5/2025 at 7:48 AM, Beast said:

Chuck Knox was furious and blamed that loss on Joe Ferguson. I can’t remember what book I read it in but supposedly Knox was watching the game film from the endzone behind Ferguson and the 30 second clock was right in front of Ferguson….and Knox mumbles that you’d think the guy we pay all that money to (Ferguson) could read a clock.

Knox just really got pissed Ralph was cheap.

 

Fourth down and like 6 to go from say Bengals 35 or so. Bills call a TO to discuss the call. The play runs and Lou catches a pass good for the first. Flag, delay of game, incomplete into the endzone next play, season over.

 

You have to remember that this was in 81, and graphics on the screen were almost non-existent.So, there was no play clock winding down and all of us screaming at the TV, "Snap it." So never entered your head watching the game it could be delay of game cause they just called a TO!!!!

 

In today's NFL, the play would have been blown dead immediately, but I am guessing back then they let the play go and gave the option to the D whether to accept or not based on the outcome of the play.

 

 

And all after a TO

 

 

 

 

[Beast]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

 

Knox just really got pissed Ralph was cheap.

 

Fourth down and like 6 to go from say Bengals 35 or so. Bills call a TO to discuss the call. The play runs and Lou catches a pass good for the first. Flag, delay of game, incomplete into the endzone next play, season over.

 

You have to remember that this was in 81, and graphics on the screen were almost non-existent.So, there was no play clock winding down and all of us screaming at the TV, "Snap it." So never entered your head watching the game it could be delay of game cause they just called a TO!!!!

 

In today's NFL, the play would have been blown dead immediately, but I am guessing back then they let the play go and gave the option to the D whether to accept or not based on the outcome of the play.

 

 

And all after a TO

 

 

 

 

No, I am speaking of the delay of game penalty. Knox blamed Ferguson behind closed doors.

 

Obviously Knox had enough of Ralph, and in particular how Ralph handled Joe Cribbs. 

[chongli]

On 4/4/2025 at 1:12 PM, Ned Flanders said:

I recall he caught a first down pass on the final drive and there was a penalty (surprise)…without looking at the video, I think it was delay of game.

 

I seem to recall Piccone on some play flipping head over heals with the ball and hitting his head on the ground?

[nucci]

I was there. Yelling at Devlin to get set