It’s the prize that all NFL teams want to win as well as the one that all players want to play a part in securing. It’s also one of the most widely watched sporting events of the year.
So, it must be especially galling for the Buffalo Bills and their supporters that this is a prize that has always eluded them. What they would give to get their hands on the Vincent Lombardi trophy for just one year.
A record of Super Bowl disappointment
There are plenty of teams in the NFL that have never even come close to reaching the Super Bowl, much less winning it. And in some ways, this may prove to be easier to take than the disappointment that the Bills have experienced to date.
On no less than four occasions have they come within reach of the treasured reward, falling short every single time. To make matters even worse, this happened in four consecutive years between 1991 and 1994.
The first occasion was truly agonizing. After a very closely fought game, they fell just a single point short against AFC East rivals the New York Jets with a final score line of 20-19. They were back again the next year, this time against the Washington Redskins, as they were called back then. This saw a wider margin of loss at 37-24.
In 1993, the Dallas Cowboys enjoyed a true purple patch and a comprehensive 52-17 victory. To add insult to injury, the two teams met again the very next year. This had a closer, but still decisive, 30-13 scoreline.
Since then, the Buffalos haven’t made it to the final in almost 30 years.
Last season’s performance
In the 2022-23 season, there were real hopes that they could be in with a shot again. There was also a feeling that sports betting in New York would explode if the Bills made the Super Bowl. Because, despite the local rivalry, there are still very many Bills fans in the area wanting to back their favorite team for success.
As it turned out, they finished up way ahead of other teams in the AFC East with a win/lose record of 13/3. Their nearest rivals were the Miami Dolphins, who could only manage 9/8, and a place in the playoffs was assured.
But this was when the wheels came off. Sure, they beat the Dolphins in the Wild Card playoffs, but when they came up against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Playoffs, they were well beaten 27-10 – and another year went by without a Super Bowl appearance.
This season’s hopes
Head coach Sean McDermott should be optimistic. This season could be the one where they make the big breakthrough. There have been some great signings who have had a real impact.
One player who could be instrumental is the quarterback Kyle Allen who arrived from Houston Texans on a year-long $1.2 million contract.
They may also be hoping that Zayne Anderson will be bringing some of the winning ways that he picked up in his time with last season’s Super Bowl victors, the Kansas City Chiefs. His performances this season have helped to ensure they’re the third favorites in the current Super Bowl odds.
Josh Allen speaks out.
One of these players who has already made his intentions known for this season is the Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen.
He has announced both on social media and in interviews that he will personally be going to great lengths to get the Bills to the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2024. His sworn commitment is to be the best quarterback he can possibly be for the team. With a player in such an important role making a bold statement like this, it can only have a strong influence on the rest of the squad.
Wrapping Up
The Buffalo Bills have had a bit of a rollercoaster ride getting close to Super Bowl glory, especially back in the early ’90s.
Despite those tough breaks and some recent playoff letdowns, the team’s solid performance lately, along with some smart new additions and Josh Allen’s fiery leadership, is sparking some real hope. Their never-say-die attitude in chasing that Lombardi Trophy keeps their fans pumped and shows just how gritty and determined this team is.
