1980 Buffalo Bills season

Breaking "The Streak"

The Bills had not beaten the Miami Dolphins in the entire decade of the 1970s, a streak of twenty straight losses, the longest in NFL history. The last time the Bills had defeated Miami was 1969.

The Bills had been outscored 565 (28.5 points per games) to 299 (14.5) during the 1970s by the Dolphins, failing to score more than ten points in over a third of the contests (7). They were shut out three times. Conversely, the Dolphins were held under twenty points just four times, and scored 45 points on the Bills twice. The domination was so thorough that the Bills only lost by one score or less five times, and Don Shula had never lost to Buffalo since taking over as Dolphins coach in 1970. The Bills only held a lead at any point in eight of the games, and only twice in the fourth quarter. Joe Ferguson had lost to the Dolphins 14 straight times.

On opening day of the 1980 season, Miami visited Rich Stadium, attempting to extend the streak to 21 games. At the end of three quarters, Miami led 7–3. In the fourth quarter, running back Roosevelt Leaks scored the go-ahead touchdown to make the score 10–7. Joe Cribbs added a second touchdown to extend the lead to 17–7, and Jeff Nixon intercepted his third pass of the game with only 36 seconds left, breaking the streak at 20 games.

A rowdy crowd of 79,000 fans celebrated, and many stormed the field to tear down the goal posts, carrying them around the field. Joe Cribbs contributed 131 combined yards of offense for the triumphant Bills.

The rivalry continued well into the 1990s, but with different results: from 1986 to 1996—the years in which Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino played at the same time—the Bills won 14 of 22 match-ups between the teams.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1980 NFL draft

North Carolina State's Jim Ritcher became an anchor of the Buffalo offensive line for the next 14 years; he was the starter for all four Buffalo Super Bowl teams, and was second-team All-Pro in 1991.

Running back Joe Cribbs was Buffalo's starting running back from 1980–1983, and again in 1985 (after returning from one year in the USFL).

Tight end Mark Brammer played for the Bills for five seasons. Greg Cater was Buffalo's starting punter from 1980 until 1983.

Undrafted free agents

Personnel

Staff/Coaches

Roster

(Left squad)

Regular season

*Sports Illustrated'''s Paul Zimmerman wrote about the Bills' 1980 season, "It was a euphoric kind of year for Buffalo. Chuck Knox and his defensive coordinator, Tom Catlin, built the defense into No. 1 in the NFL with virtually the same people who had been lousy in '79. The Bills even beat Miami for the first time in a generation. And then Quarterback Joe Ferguson picked exactly the wrong time of year to sprain his ankle – the playoffs. And San Diego ended the dream."

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

Game summaries

Week 1 vs Dolphins

;First quarter

• No scoring ;Second quarter
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 40-yard field goal. Bills 3–0. ;Third quarter
• MIA – Tony Nathan 4-yard pass from Bob Griese (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 7–3. ;Fourth quarter
• BUF – Roosevelt Leaks 4-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 10–7.
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 17–7. ;Top passers
• MIA – Bob Griese – 11/18, 101 yards, TD, 2 INT
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 20/32, 198 yards, TD, 5 INT ;Top rushers
• MIA – Steve Howell – 6 rushes, 43 yards
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 18 rushes, 60 yards, TD ;Top receivers
• MIA – Duriel Harris – 3 receptions, 42 yards
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 9 receptions, 71 yards

Week 2 vs Jets

;First quarter

• NYJ – Pat Leahy 44-yard field goal. Jets 3–0. ;Second quarter
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 7–3.
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 47-yard field goal. Bills 10–3. ;Third quarter
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 38-yard field goal. Bills 13–3.
• BUF – Jeff Nixon 50-yard interception return (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 20–3. ;Fourth quarter
• NYJ – Clark Gaines 11-yard pass from Richard Todd (Pat Leahy kick). Bills 20–10. ;Top passers
• NYJ – Richard Todd – 19/34, 168 yards, TD, INT
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 18/29, 207 yards ;Top rushers
• NYJ – Clark Gaines – 14 rushes, 94 yards
• BUF – Roosevelt Leaks – 12 rushes, 58 yards ;Top receivers
• NYJ – Clark Gaines – 12 receptions, 91 yards
• BUF – Reuben Gant – 4 receptions, 84 yards

Week 3 at Saints

;First quarter

• BUF – Frank Lewis 12-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 7–0. ;Second quarter
• NO – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Benny Ricardo kick). Tie 7–7.
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 12-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 14–7.
• NO – Ike Harris 44-yard pass from Archie Manning. Bills 14–13.
• NO – Benny Ricardo 45-yard field goal. Saints 16–14.
• NO – Benny Ricardo 47-yard field goal. Saints 19–14. ;Third quarter
• BUF – Frank Lewis 18-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 21–19. ;Fourth quarter
• BUF – Mark Brammer 2-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 28–19.
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 7-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 35-19.
• NO – Ike Harris 15-yard pass from Archie Manning (Benny Ricardo kick). Bills 35–26. ;Top passers
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 22/31, 295 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
• NO – Archie Manning – 24/34, 285 yards, 2 TD ;Top rushers
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 22 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TD
• NO – Chuck Muncie – 10 rushes, 22 yards ;Top receivers
• BUF – Jerry Butler – 5 receptions, 133 yards
• NO – Brooks Williams – 6 receptions, 89 yards

Week 4 vs Raiders

;First quarter

• BUF – Curtis Brown 4-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 7–0. ;Second quarter
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 14–0.
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 30-yard field goal. Bills 17–0. ;Third quarter
• OAK – Lester Hayes 48-yard interception return (Chris Bahr kick). Bills 17–7. ;Fourth quarter
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 21-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 24–7. ;Top passers
• OAK – Dan Pastorini – 10/20, 158 yards, 2 INT
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 17/22, 175 yards, TD, INT ;Top rushers
• OAK – Mark van Eeghen – 10 rushes, 46 yards
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 30 rushes, 90 yards, TD ;Top receivers
• OAK – Bob Chandler – 3 receptions, 87 yards
• BUF – Jerry Butler – 3 receptions, 49 yards

Week 5 at Chargers

First quarter

• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 48-yard field goal, 10:11. ''Bills 3–0. '''Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:17.'''''
• SDG – Kellen Winslow 4-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 5:44. ''Chargers 7–3. '''Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 2:50.''''' Second quarter
• SDG – John Jefferson 5-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 14:56. ''Chargers 14–3. '''Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 2:02.'''''
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 29-yard field goal, 8:51. ''Chargers 14–6. '''Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:05.'''''
• BUF – Lucius Sanford blocked punt recovery in end zone (kick failed), 2:24. Chargers 14–12.
• SDG – Rolf Benirschke 29-yard field goal, 0:12. ''Chargers 17–12. '''Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 2:12.''''' Third quarter
• SDG – Clarence Williams 3-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 6:19. ''Chargers 24–12. '''Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:25.''''' Fourth quarter
• BUF – Mark Brammer 9-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 10:43. ''Chargers 24–19. '''Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 1:34.'''''
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 3-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 7:28. ''Bills 26–24. '''Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:54.''''' Top passers
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 14/28, 129 yards, TD
• SD – Dan Fouts – 20/35, 220 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 23 rushes, 87 yards, TD
• SD – Chuck Muncie – 10 rushes, 37 yards Top receivers
• BUF – Jerry Butler – 3 receptions, 44 yards
• SD – John Jefferson – 7 receptions, 85 yards, TD

Week 6 vs Colts

First quarter

• BAL – Mike Siani 38-yard pass from Bert Jones (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Colts 7–0.
• BAL – Steve Mike-Mayer 21-yard field goal. Colts 10–0. Second quarter
• BUF – Roosevelt Leaks 1-yard run. Colts 10–6.
• BAL – Don McCauley 1-yard run (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Colts 17–6.
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 49-yard field goal. Colts 17–9. Third quarter
• No scoring Fourth quarter
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 20-yard field goal. Colts 17–12. ;Top passers
• BAL – Bert Jones – 10/21, 206 yards, TD, INT
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 17/36, 210 yards, INT ;Top rushers
• BAL – Joe Washington – 22 rushes, 74 yards
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 18 rushes, 76 yards ;Top receivers
• BAL – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD
• BUF – Frank Lewis – 3 receptions, 52 yards

Week 7 at Dolphins

First quarter

• MIA – Don Bessillieu 44-yard fumble return (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 7–0. Second quarter
• MIA – Nat Moore 3-yard pass from David Woodley (Uwe von Schamann kick). Dolphins 14–0. Third quarter
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Dolphins 14–7.
• MIA – Uwe von Schamann 23-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–7. Fourth quarter
• BUF – Jerry Butler 7-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Dolphins 17–14. ;Top passers
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 24/42, 221 yards, TD
• MIA – David Woodley – 11/17, 93 yards, TD, INT ;Top rushers
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 14 rushes, 38 yards, TD
• MIA – Terry Robiskie – 18 rushes, 84 yards ;Top receivers
• BUF – Frank Lewis – 4 receptions, 71 yards
• MIA – Nat Moore – 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD

Week 8 vs Patriots

First quarter

• NE – John Smith 41-yard field goal. Patriots 3–0. Second quarter
• BUF – Frank Lewis 14-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 7–3.
• BUF – Frank Lewis 12-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 14–3. Third quarter
• NE – Russ Francis 26-yard pass from Steve Grogan (John Smith kick). Bills 14–10.
• NE – John Smith 32-yard field goal. Bills 14–13. Fourth quarter
• BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 23-yard field goal. Bills 17–13.
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 16-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 24–13.
• BUF – Joe Cribbs 5-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Bills 31–13. ;Top passers
• NE – Steve Grogan – 13/29, 138 yards, TD, 4 INT
• BUF – Joe Ferguson – 12/28, 176 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
• NE – Don Calhoun – 8 rushes, 24 yards
• BUF – Joe Cribbs – 30 rushes, 118 yards, 2 TD ;Top receivers
• NE – Russ Francis – 2 receptions, 32 yards, TD
• BUF – Frank Lewis – 5 receptions, 80 yards, 2 TD

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

First ever win for Buffalo vs Rams

Week 15

Week 16

Postseason

Divisional

With 2:08 left in the game, Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts threw the 50-yard winning touchdown pass to receiver Ron Smith to defeat the Bills, 20–14.

Wrote Paul Zimmerman in Sports Illustrated's 1981 NFL preview, "If Charley Romes intercepts the pass that bounces off his chest in the last few minutes of the playoff game against San Diego, then the Chargers don't score on the next play, and win the game. And Buffalo gets to play Oakland at home – where the Bills crushed the Raiders earlier in the season. And Buffalo's in the Super Bowl."

Notable events

In Week 15, the Bills became the thirty-fourth team to score only a safety in a full game. It was the first occurrence of this since the San Diego Chargers against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last game of the 1972 season, and there have been only three since, by the 1983 Minnesota Vikings, the 1993 Cincinnati Bengals, and the 2011 Atlanta Falcons in a playoff game.

References

• Bills on Pro Football Reference
• Bills on jt-sw.com
• Bills Stats on jt-sw.com

References

1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1980/allpro.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1980 NFL All-Pros]
2. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1980/probowl.htm 1980 NFL Pro Bowlers]
3. [http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/9/7/1663185/september-7-1980-bills-end-20-game Buffalo Rumblings: September 7, 1980 – Bills End 20-Game Losing Streak To Dolphins]
4. "Jeff Nixon - 1 Fumble Recovery, 3 Interceptions".
5. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198009070buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: Miami Dolphins 7 at Buffalo Bills 17 – Sunday, September 7, 1980]
6. [http://www.nfl.com/videos/buffalo-bills/09000d5d8208e8a1/Bills-stop-skid-vs-Dolphins NFL.com: Bills stop skid vs. Dolphins]
7. 100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p.179
8. [http://pfref.com/tiny/OEcQl Pro-Football-Reference.com: In multiple seasons, from 1986 to 1996, playing for the Buffalo Bills, versus the Miami Dolphins, in the regular season, sorted by most games matching criteria]
9. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CateGr20.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: Greg Cater]
10. "1980 Buffalo Bills Draftees". Pro Football Reference.
11. ''Sports Illustrated'', September 7, 1981: PRO FOOTBALL '81, by Paul Zimmerman, page 48
12. "1980 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players".
13. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198011020buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
14. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198011090nyj.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
15. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198011160cin.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
16. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198011230buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
17. Brady, Erik. (November 25, 2020). "How Talking Proud became an anthem for a generation of Bills fans".
18. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198011300clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
19. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198012070buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
20. Brady, Erik. (February 15, 2022). "Remembering when Bills took a 'curtain call' after beating Rams".
21. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198012140nwe.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
22. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198012210sfo.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
23. ''Sports Illustrated'', September 7, 1981: PRO FOOTBALL '81, by Paul Zimmerman, page 48