Bills greatest moments No. 4: Bills end 17-year playoff drought
On Dec. 31, 2017, the Bills had an opportunity to end their 17-year playoff drought. They needed a win over the Miami Dolphins, and the Cincinnati Bengals had to defeat the Baltimore Ravens. The Bills got off to a hot start against the Dolphins, holding 19-0 lead in the third quarter.
The Dolphins made a late push, eventually making it a 22-16 game. With 49 seconds remaining, the Dolphins entered Bills’ territory, but safety Jordan Poyer came up with a game-clinching interception. The Bills held on for the victory.
In addition, the Bengals pulled off a 31-27 upset over the Ravens. The Bengals sealed the victory in dramatic fashion — on 4th-and-12, Andy Dalton found Tyler Boyd for a game-winning 49-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds remaining.
Bills fans/Bengals bettors stand up! Andy Dalton to Tyler Boyd 49 yards to take the lead! pic.twitter.com/ROJfqX5OGI
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 1, 2018
Making the playoffs was not the biggest accomplishment in franchise history, but this moment marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise. During the drought, the Bills went a combined 112-160. Since 2018, the team has a 40-25 overall record. Players such as Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White would go on to become critical pieces to the Bills’ success in the following years.