NFL

The Buffalo Bills Endured 4 Straight Super Bowls Losses in the ’90s and Haven’t Won a Championship Since

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Updated28 Jun 2024

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Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills throws under pressure from Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXV in 1991

The Buffalo Bills were one of the best NFL teams during the early ’90s as they dominated the AFC. They’re also the last NFL team to play in four straight Super Bowls. Although the team celebrated a lot of success, Buffalo logged four straight Super Bowl losses during those appearances.

These days, the Bills have quarterback Josh Allen, who’s breathed new life into the up-and-coming franchise. But back in the ’90s, something went wrong each time Buffalo tried to win the Super Bowl.

1990-91 Buffalo Bills

The Bills finished with a 13-3 record (8-0 record at home) for the 1990-91 season. Fans thanked the team’s offense in particular, which scored 428 points to rank first in the NFL, according to SportsRec. Buffalo’s defense was also one of the best in the league with star defensive end Bruce Smith. The Virginia Tech alum earned the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award that season.

In 1990-91, the Bills went on an eight-game winning streak and triumphed in four of their final five games. Entering the playoffs, the franchise defeated the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Raiders en route to Super Bowl XXV where they faced the New York Giants. Despite quarterback Jim Kelly‘s best efforts, Buffalo lost 20-19.

The next season, the Bills were determined to return to the Super Bowl. Continuing their dominance as one of the best teams in the league, Buffalo finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, leading the league in total yards with 6,525 yards and scoring with 458 points.

The team boasted two of the best wide receivers in the NFL: Andre Reed and James Lofton. With 1,113 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, Reed led the team in receptions (81). Lofton had 57 receptions for 1,072 yards and eight touchdowns, earning his eighth Pro Bowl appearance.

The Bills made their way back to the NFL championship to take on the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI. Buffalo lost 37-24, making it the franchise’s second straight Super Bowl loss.

For the third straight season, the Bills were one of the top teams in the NFL, finishing with an 11-5 record and ranking second in the AFC East. Buffalo faced adversity in the AFC Wild Card game, falling into a 35-3 deficit to the Houston Oilers. But the team made a comeback and won 41-38 in overtime.

Buffalo went on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins to advance to a third straight Super Bowl (XXVII). The Bills took on the Dallas Cowboys and were outmatched the whole game. America’s Team defeated the Bills 52-17.

Ranking first in the AFC East, the Bills finished the 1993-94 season 12-4 as they hung on to relevancy in the championship conversation. Along the way, defensive back Bruce Smith won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time in four years.

Entering the playoffs, the Bills had no problem advancing to another Super Bowl — a rematch of the previous title game against Dallas. Buffalo looked to get revenge, but the Cowboys defeated the Bills 30-13 to win its second Super Bowl.

In those four years, the Bills celebrated a lot of success and grew their fandom. But the franchise never managed to make it all the way to the Lombardi Trophy. The 1993-94 season was the last time the Buffalo Bills played in a Super Bowl game.