In celebration of the return of the red helmets in Buffalo's final regular season game in Highmark Stadium, we take a look back at some memorable performances during the years in which the Bills donned their red helmets. Some are quite obvious, but for those who may be too young to know or others who may not remember we chronicle the top five games in team history in the red head gear.

5. AFC Championship - Sun. Jan. 12^th, 1992 – Bills 10 – Broncos 7

Buffalo's second consecutive appearance in the AFC title game was completely different than their performance in the conference championship game the year before. The Bills defense rose to the occasion on a day when their no-huddle offense was stymied by Denver's defense.

The Bills defense sacked Denver QB John Elway four times and knocked him out of the game in the fourth quarter.

An Elway pass that was tipped by Jeff Wright was intercepted by LB Carlton Bailey, who returned it 11 yards for what proved to be the only touchdown of the game. The three-point victory sent Buffalo to its second straight Super Bowl.

"Defense wins championships, and we were a big part of it," said Wright after the game. "The offense carried us all season. We just paid them back."

4. AFC Championship – Sun. Jan. 17^th, 1993 – Bills 29 – Dolphins 10

In their only AFC title game on the road in their four straight trips to the Super Bowl, Buffalo outclassed the Dolphins in Miami in a 19-point victory. Though the offense got a pair of touchdowns from backs Thurman Thomas and Kenny Davis, they were buoyed by five field goals from kicker Steve Christie, who tied an NFL playoff record.

The Bills defense sacked Dan Marino four times in the game, with Bruce Smith notching a strip sack that was recovered by Darryl Talley. The Dolphins had a franchise playoff low 33 rushing yards, including just two in the second half, as Buffalo vaulted themselves to their third straight Super Bowl.

"I've never been prouder in all the years I've coached than to be associated with the men on this team," said head coach Marv Levy. "It's been a long road and a hard road."

3. AFC Championship – Sun. Jan. 23, 1994 – Bills 30 – Chiefs 13

Becoming the first team in NFL history to appear in four consecutive conference title games, the Bills never trailed as Thurman Thomas set franchise playoff records for carries and rushing yards. The engine of the Buffalo offense had 186 rushing yards, the second most in AFC/AFL postseason history and three touchdowns.

Buffalo's defense knocked Chiefs QB Joe Montana out of the game early in the third quarter when Bruce Smith and Jeff Wright met at the quarterback and Montana sustained a concussion. Dave Krieg finished the game at quarterback for Kansas City.

It was the Bills' eighth straight postseason victory at then Rich Stadium.

"This was the best game of my NFL career because it took us to the next level," said Thomas. "I was just pumped up. Every time I touched the ball the adrenaline was with me. I just can't say enough about my (offensive) line."

2 . AFC Wild Card – Sun. Jan. 3, 1993 – Bills 41 – Oilers 38 – OT

Trailing 35-3 early in the third quarter after a Bubba McDowell 58-yard interception return, the Bills staged the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history. Buffalo scored 35 straight points with backup QB Frank Reich leading the offense with three of his four touchdown passes going to Andre Reed.

Oilers kicker, Al Del Greco forced overtime with a 26-yard field goal to tie the game at 38 with 12 seconds left in regulation.

The Oilers won the coin toss and took the ball in overtime, but Warren Moon threw an interception on the third play of the drive to Nate Odomes, who returned it to the Houston 35-yard line. A facemask penalty against Houston moved the ball another 15 yards to the Oilers 20. Steve Christie kicked the game-winning 32-yard field goal three plays later for the 41-38 victory.

"Without question it's the game of my life," said Reich. "I was pretty emotional when I got back to the locker room. I couldn't hold the tears back. Your thought is to take it one play at a time and don't try to force anything. When we scored to make it 35-24 late in the third quarter, that's when I thought it was really within reach."

1. AFC Championship – Sun. Jan. 20, 1991 – Bills 51 – Raiders 3

The Bills tied the scoring record for an AFC/AFL Championship Game in a 51-3 dismantling of the Los Angeles Raiders. The Raiders defense was no match for Buffalo's no-huddle offense which rolled up 41 points in the first half, with an assist from a Darryl Talley 27-yard interception return.

Buffalo's defense forced seven turnovers, including six interceptions, with Raiders QB Jay Schroeder responsible for five INTs.

The victory sent Buffalo to their first ever Super Bowl.

"I've been to almost every Super Bowl and every time I'm there, I daydream," said Bills then owner Ralph Wilson. "I'd think, 'Boy, wouldn't it be great if someday the Bills were able to run out of that tunnel on a Super Bowl Sunday.' I'm a little shell-shocked by the tremendous performance the team put on today."

HONORABLE MENTIONS

AFC Divisional Playoff – Sat. Jan. 12^th, 1991 – Bills 44 – Dolphins 34

Dan Marino and Jim Kelly each threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in the highest-scoring game in playoff history that did not include overtime.

It was Buffalo's eighth win in nine games over Miami, as the Bills jumped out to a 20-3 lead early in the second quarter. The Dolphins would cut the lead to 10 at the half, but could never catch up to the Bills, who ran their no-huddle offense the entire game.

"We went with what we thought we could do best," said Kelly. "The key to our offense is to mix it up. With all the weapons we have on offense you can do things like that."

AFC Divisional Playoff – Sun. Jan. 1^st, 1989 – Bills 17 – Oilers 10

Buffalo's first ever home playoff game in then Rich Stadium since it opened in 1973 was a tight game come the final frame. A Mike Rozier one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter made it a one-score game (17-10).

The Bills offense tried to kill the clock late but were forced to punt with under two minutes remaining, which give Warren Moon and company another opportunity to tie the game with possession.

But that opportunity never came. After the punt by John Kidd, Steve Tasker forced a fumble on Houston returner Curtis Duncan and Ray Bentley recovered the loose ball for Buffalo.

Buffalo's offense came back out and killed the remaining 1:45 on the clock for Buffalo's first home playoff win in Rich Stadium.

"I got pushed past Curtis (Duncan) after he caught the ball, so I think he thought I was no longer a concern," said Tasker. "But I got back into the play and was able to get the ball out."

Week 1 - Sun. Sept. 10^th, 1989 – Bills 27 – Dolphins 24

The season opener in Miami found the Bills down by 11 with less than five minutes in regulation, but Jim Kelly led a pair of touchdown drives in the waning minutes with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Filmel Johnson followed by a two-yard scramble for the game-winning touchdown as time expired for a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

"The play was a pass to the fullback coming out of the backfield," said Kelly of the winning touchdown. "I saw the linebacker go with him. I just took off. I was hoping I'd make it because I knew if I didn't, I'd never hear the end of it for the rest of my career."