Bills 41, Chiefs 7: Historical Perspective On The Blowout

by MattRichWarren on Sep 12, 2011 1:45 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills History

After the Buffalo Bills beat the Kansas City Chiefs 41-7 on Sunday, many struggled to think back to some of the highest-scoring games for the team in the offensively-inept recent past. Even going all the way back to the team's founding in 1960, Sunday stands pretty high as one of the most dominant regular season performances in franchise history.

It was only the 36th time in team history that the Bills have scored more than 40 points. The last time Buffalo topped the mark was last season against the Cincinnati Bengals (49 points). Prior to that, the 2008 Bills trounced the Chiefs 54-31. It's happened only six times since 2000. (In looking at games in which the Bills scored more than 40 points, it jumped out that only one was during the 1980s - and even that was 1989.)

While points often tell the story of how the offense performed, the point differential is a measure of both the offense and defense, and Sunday's performance is in rarefied air. For only the tenth time in team history, the Bills beat a team by at least 34 points. The last occurrence was 2004, when the Bills pummeled the San Fransisco 49ers 41-7.

The last time Buffalo had a winning margin greater than 34 was a 38-0 win over the Indianapolis Colts in 1992 on their way to Super Bowl XXVII. Jim Kelly led the Bills' offense to six of those convincing 34-point-or-more wins. The other two came in 1966 and 1970.

The team record for points scored is 58, set in 1966 against the Miami Dolphins. The largest regular season margin of victory in team history is a 42-0 shutout of the Cleveland Browns in 1990.

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I remember that 42-0 game – I believe Thurman tore it up that day. ahhh good memories

by J2 on Sep 12, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

Thurman Thomas
17 Rushes for 58 yards (2 TD)
5 Receptions for 65 yards (1 TD)

by Falls4Life on Sep 12, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

some games just stick in your mind – like the Raiders when it was below zero. I remember when it was fun to play the Pats and Colts because of how bad they were – boy how times have changed

by J2 on Sep 12, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Some day it will be Patriots fans reminiscing about those days.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 13, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

the 42-0 game

I mostly remember Darryl Talley picking off Mike Pagel and running it in for a TD
revenge for the Harmon drop game

by BillyT92679 on Sep 12, 2011 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Beat his little brother

many people dont remember Talley’s interception against the browns that day was the result of his little brother John running the wrong route. I’m sure that comes up during holiday dinners.

by jerry l 1973 on Sep 12, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Bigger margin of Victory

http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/21/sports/bills-quick-offense-trounces-raiders-51-3.html

by Whatever on Sep 12, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

lol, beat me to it…

by JustAskTheAxis on Sep 12, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

These are all regular season. I thought I said that but I guess I’m wrong.

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by MattRichWarren on Sep 12, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

largest margin of victory...

was actually against the Raiders – 51-3 in the playoffs (maybe even the AFC championship)… 42-0 maybe the biggest regular season win?

by JustAskTheAxis on Sep 12, 2011 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

It was a great performance, but

it is difficult to make those comparisons to teams so long ago. The game has changed decidedly in favor of the offense. Teams today should be able to score more points.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

"...at that point the cops showed up and I had the right to remain silent....but, I didn't have the ability." - Ron White

by Joe P. on Sep 12, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Teams today should be able to score more points.

I don’t necessarily agree with this. Yes, offenses are passing offenses now, but that works for both teams. I don’t think teams are scoring much faster than they were two decades ago, so there is still a limit to the number of points that can be scored based on time of possession. The fact that the game is geared toward offense works for both teams.

Regardless, there still aren’t that many instances when teams score 41 points in a game. Yesterday was about as many lopsided games as I’ve seen on a Sunday and still only two teams scored more than 40.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Sep 12, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure there is a stat somewhere on points scored in the NFL each season

My guess would be that the average points scored has risen from what it was 20 yrs ago.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

"...at that point the cops showed up and I had the right to remain silent....but, I didn't have the ability." - Ron White

by Joe P. on Sep 12, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure any comparison is even being made.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 12, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't ranking a form of comparison?

Sunday stands pretty high as one of the most dominant regular season performances in franchise history.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

"...at that point the cops showed up and I had the right to remain silent....but, I didn't have the ability." - Ron White

by Joe P. on Sep 12, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Not when you’re talking about point totals and margins of victory. If Matt had said “The team looks as dominant as the teams of yesteryear,” then yeah, a comparison is being made.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 12, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a conclusion. It’s a comparison, sure.

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by MattRichWarren on Sep 12, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that it really matters.....It was a great game and I'm not trying to be difficult here, but I disagree

If I said, rank the greatest QBs of all time, then you would be comparing them. If I said rank the greatest SBs ever played…..you get the point. In this case the criteria was…..“Most dominant regular season performances in franchise history” I think points is only one way to look at that, and IMO, points are easier to come by these days.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

"...at that point the cops showed up and I had the right to remain silent....but, I didn't have the ability." - Ron White

by Joe P. on Sep 12, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s also a far less significant ranking. You’re comparing one game.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 12, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

is it me, or does that chiefs player look like he belongs in the matrix and the camera is ready to swoop around him in a 360 so he is doin his best karate kid impression???

STOP THE INSANITY!!!

by BuffJD on Sep 12, 2011 3:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Just a quick editing point: 2nd last paragraph, I’m sure you meant Super Bowl XXVII.

Thanks for the historical info. I also saw a comment somewhere that this was the first away opener (I assume it meant the literal first game of the season being an away game, not the first game played away after one or more home games have already been played) the Bills have won since 1996?? That is incredible. Long streak of crappy starts away from home. I’m also assuming there’s about an even mix of first games away and home during that time span, right?

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Sep 12, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

I also saw a comment somewhere that this was the first away opener (I assume it meant the literal first game of the season being an away game, not the first game played away after one or more home games have already been played) the Bills have won since 1996??

It’s only a streak of four games but that is correct.

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by MattRichWarren on Sep 13, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions