This summer we'll be counting down the 25 best and 25 worst moments in Buffalo Bills history. Last time we gave you the worst moment honorable mentions. Now, we have the best moments that didn't crack the top 25 in no particular order.
Bills defeat Patriots 31-0 in 2003
The game seems so much more meaningful now since the Bills haven't defeated the Patriots since this point in time. After signing Lawyer Milloy the week prior, Buffalo came out on fire to start the season and thumped their divisional rivals. Sam Adams returned an interception 37 yards for a rumbling touchdown, and Travis Henry punched two in while the defense intercepted Tom Brady four times and sacked him twice. That Patriots team went on to win their second Super Bowl in three seasons, but Buffalo finished 6-10 - which leaves this cool event out of the Top 25.
Arthur Moats ends Brett Favre's consecutive starts streak
Favre started 297 straight games from 1992 to 2010. Then he crossed the Moats. Bills rookie Moats laid the smack down on Favre, ending the streak in 2010. It's on the list for the magnitude of the streak, not so much the hit or the fact that Moats hurt someone.
Signing Bryce Paup as a free agent
Buffalo signed Paup from the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 1995. Paup went on to become the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1995 after recording 17.5 sacks. Paup spent three seasons in Buffalo, making the Pro Bowl each year and accumulating 33 sacks.
Marv Levy hired as head coach
Bill Polian and Levy worked hand in hand to build the Super Bowl Bills. That run wouldn't have been possible had Polian never pulled the trigger on the then-sub-.500 coach. Levy won 112 games as head coach of the Bills, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Comeback against the Colts in 1997
Another Bills comeback will be very high on this list. A second, much smaller comeback took place in 1997 when the Bills fell behind divisional rival Indianapolis 26-0 in the second quarter. Todd Collins led a masterful comeback that saw the team score four second-half touchdowns and defeat the Colts 37-35. Former Bill Jay Riemersma called the game "one of his fondest memories" as a member of the Bills. If only the Bills weren't 6-10 that season, this game may have made the list.
Terrence McGee returns a kickoff and interception for scores
In 2005, McGee became the first man in NFL history to return a kickoff and interception for a touchdown in the same game. It helped the 4-10 Bills knock off the 11-3 Cincinnati Bengals.
Thurman Thomas wins the fourth straight AFC Championship
Buffalo beat the Kansas City Chiefs to head to their fourth straight Super Bowl in January of 1994. The biggest reason Buffalo was heading back was the Thurmanator, who had 186 rushing yards and three scores while adding another 22 receiving yards. The Bills won 30-13 over Joe Montana's Chiefs.
Darryl Talley's awesome Spiderman sleeves
This is probably the second most talked about fashion statement in team history. (Thurman Thomas' lost helmet is a head above the rest.) Talley rocked the Spidey sleeves in the cold weather of Buffalo while he roamed the sidelines until 1995. I asked Talley if he wanted to comment and he had this to say: "While I appreciate the acknowledgement, I'd rather be remembered for my contribution on the field." Don't worry, Darryl. I think a few of your games will be on the list.
Remember folks, these are just the honorable mentions. We have 25 even better events coming your way soon.
