NFL’s 30 best teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl
Everybody even slightly familiar with the history of the NFL knows the story of the Buffalo Bills. The team rose to prominence in the late 1980s behind the talents of Andre Reed, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Darryl Talley, Bruce Smith and others. Finally, in 1990, the Bills went to their first Super Bowl, the first of their four consecutive appearances.
In 1990, Buffalo had it all. The Bills were an explosive offense that ran a no-huddle style, something that became known as the K-Gun named for tight end Keith McKeller. Buffalo was able to destroy opponents who could not substitute into subpackages, while a tremendous pass-rush led by the all-time sack leader, Smith, feasted on quarterbacks.
After rolling to a 13-3 record and the AFC East title, the Bills dismantled the Miami Dolphins in the Division round before putting a biblical beating on the Los Angeles Raiders in the AFC Championship game, 51-3. In the Super Bowl, Buffalo was an overwhelming favorite to beat the New York Giants and backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler. Instead, the Giants stunned the Bills, controlling the ball for 45 minutes and winning on the final play when Scott Norwood’s 46-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
Next: 4. 1987 San Francisco 49ers