Important dates in Bills history presented by M&T bank helps fans understand what's important. In the NFL, when there are no words to describe your excitement, create your own.
With a passionate and excited fan base behind them, the Bills remained a perfect 8-0 at home. None better, then a match against the Jets on November 20, 1988.
The weather prevented Bills quarterback Jim Kelly or Jets signal caller Pat Ryan from getting on the board. Jets kicker Pat Leahy and Bills kicker Scott Norwood each knocked two field goals through the uprights to put six on the board. With 25 seconds left in regulation, Bills nose tackle Fred Smerlas blocked Leahy's 40-yard field goal attempt to send the game into overtime.
After winning the coin toss, the Jets started overtime with the ball, but Bills cornerback Derrick Burroughs stripped the ball from Jets fullback Roger Vick at the Jets 32 yard line. The Bills moved the ball on the ground to the 12 yard line before head coach Marv Levy called on Norwood again. Norwood knocked it in from 30 yards out to clinch the Bills AFC East title.
After a streak of four consecutive losing seasons, the city erupted in a celebration that spilled out onto the field.
"What do they call it -- Pandemonium?" linebacker Darryl Talley asked later. "This was fan-demonium. It was so much fun."
