It has taken a long time but the Buffalo Bills are back in the AFC Championship Game. How long? The last time they played for a spot in the Super Bowl the QB matchup was Kansas City’s Joe Montana vs. Buffalo’s Jim Kelly.
They will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 24 and the quarterback matchup is uncertain after Patrick Mahomes suffered a concussion in Sunday’s Divisional Round game against the Cleveland Browns.
This is the first AFC Championship Game appearance for the Bills since after the 1993 season. How about 9,863 days or 27 years and 1 day.
The game took place on Jan. 23, 1994, at what was then known as Rich Stadium.
Buffalo’s Marv Levy and Kansas City’s Marty Schottenheimer were the coaches.
The star was Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas. The eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer carried the ball 33 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-13 victory. Thomas also caught two passes for 22 yards.
I love this file photo from the AP. It's dated January 23rd 1994 when the Bills beat the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game (their last appearance).
I think #BillsMafia can totally relate to that sign right now. @WKBW
(Photo courtesy: AP / Charles Agel) pic.twitter.com/LzPVwtG16L
— Jenna Callari (@jennacallari) January 17, 2021
He had been held to 43 rushing yards during a 23-7 loss to the Chiefs in November.
Kelly threw for 160 yards. Montana was 9-of-23 for 125 yards. He saw Dave Krieg come on and go 16-of-29 for 198 yards.
Per the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle:
“It’s very difficult to get to the Super Bowl once let alone as many times as these guys have,” Montana said afterward. “That says a lot about that team. I wish them the best.”
Kelly walked off the field with Montana after the game and the man who owns four Super Bowl rings told the man who owns none to “Go get it.”
“I’ll give it my best,” Kelly said.
What the world was like that date:
- Number one song: “All For Love” by Bryan Adams/Rod Stewart/Sting
- Number one movie: Philadelphia
- Number one New York Times fiction best seller: Disclosure by Michael Crichton
- President of the United States: Bill Clinton
- Average price of a gallon of gas: $1.00