Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien had to take a trip into the past before he could move forward with his Monday morning presser at NRG Stadium.
More specifically, O’Brien had to take a trip into the Tennessee Titans franchise’s past and answer a couple of questions relating to the 1992 AFC wild-card playoffs between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers.
“That’s one heck of a way to start off this deal,” O’Brien told reporters. “Oh man, that was 30 years ago almost, 26 years ago. Holy smokes. No, I think this is about this week and this is about the Houston Texans versus a very, very good Buffalo Bills team. So, I’m not going down that road. Holy smokes, that was 26 years ago.”
The Bills face the Texans at 3:35 p.m. CT on Saturday, Jan. 4.
Even though the Titans own all of the records and history of the Oilers, including that ignominious playoff loss where they blew a 35-3 third quarter lead and lost 41-38 in overtime, the colossal letdown was a part of Houston’s sports history, playing a part in the Bayou City being known as “Choke City,” especially after the Houston Rockets fell down 2-0 to the Phoenix Suns in the 1994 NBA Western Conference semifinals.
However, that’s all on the late Bud Adams, founder of the Oilers who moved the franchise to Tennessee in 1997. That is on the Titans franchise to have to bear.
“I think, again, 26 years ago,” O’Brien said. “The game will be played in 2020. So, we got a lot of work to do, we’ve got a very tough opponent coming in here that’s played very well. Very well coached, got a lot of respect for [Bills coach] Sean (McDermott) and his staff and how they do things. So, we’ve got a big week here.”
The Bills have not won a playoff game since they defeated the Miami Dolphins 37-22 in the 1995 AFC wild-card. The Texans have won three playoff games since their 2002 inception.