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Looking Back on Past Playoff Matchups Between Miami Dolphins and Bills

By Mike Ferguson

Miami Dolphins defensive end Trace Armstrong (93) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie (7), forcing a fumble, during the AFC Wild Card Playoff, a 24-17 Dolphins victory on January 2, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins defensive end Trace Armstrong (93) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie (7), forcing a fumble, during the AFC Wild Card Playoff, a 24-17 Dolphins victory on January 2, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) /
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For the third time this season, the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will square off this weekend.

After splitting the two regular season matchups, Miami will make a return trip to Orchard Park where it lost on a last-second field goal less than a month ago. In addition to being the third meeting of the season between the franchises, it will be the fifth all-time in the postseason.

Here’s a look back at the previous four:

Jan. 12, 1991: Miami Dolphins 34, Buffalo Bills 44 (AFC Divisional Playoff)

In a contest where quarterbacks Dan Marino and Jim Kelly combined for more than 650 passing yards and six touchdown passes, Buffalo proved to be just a bit better in snow-covered Orchard Park. The Dolphins managed to whittle what was a 17-point deficit down to three by the early parts of the final quarter, but back-to-back touchdowns by Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed ultimately put the contest out of reach. Thomas rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns while Reed and James Lofton combined for 11 catches, 271 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Marino passed for 323 yards in the loss.

Jan. 17, 1993: Buffalo Bills 29, Miami Dolphins 10 (AFC Championship)

The Dolphins’ last trip to the AFC Championship was hardly one to remember. Dan Marino passed for 268 yards for the Dolphins, but Miami turned the ball over five times and managed just 33 yards on the ground. Jim Kelly wasn’t sensational for the Bills, but 182 rushing yards from the offense and four sacks from the defense in addition to the aforementioned five Miami turnovers turned a Sunday afternoon with a lot of optimism into a rout at Joe Robbie Stadium. Steve Christie kicked five field goals as the Bills advanced to a third straight Super Bowl.

Dec. 30, 1995: Miami Dolphins 22, Buffalo Bills 37 (AFC Wild Card)

In what would be the final game in the legendary career of Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula, the Buffalo Bills dominated from the start. Buffalo rushed for 341 yards and raced to a 24-0 halftime lead. Both teams finished with more than 500 yards of offense, but most of Miami’s production came with the contest well in doubt. Dan Marino threw for 422 yards and two touchdowns in the win, but was intercepted three times. Thurman Thomas finished with 158 yards rushing and a touchdown for Buffalo.

Jan. 2, 1999: Buffalo Bills 17, Miami Dolphins 24 (AFC Wild Card)

The lone Miami playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills came in the last postseason meeting between the teams. The Dolphins forced five turnovers in the victory, including a memorable one late. Miami led 24-14 in the final quarter, but after a field goal and successful onside kick, the Bills were driving for the tying score with time ticking away. With 1st-and-goal at the Miami 5-yard-line, Buffalo quarterback Doug Flutie was blindsided on a sack by Miami’s Trace Armstrong. The Dolphins recovered with nine seconds remaining to preserve the victory. Flutie passed for 360 yards in the loss. Miami’s Karim Abdul-Jabbar led all rushers with 95 yards and a touchdown. Dan Marino passed for 235 yards and a score in what would be the final home playoff game of his legendary career.

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