1981 AFC Championship Game San Diego Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals vs. 1988 AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals

Attribute	1981 AFC Championship Game San Diego Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals	1988 AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals
Teams	San Diego Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals	Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals
Date	January 10, 1982	January 8, 1989
Location	Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio	Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Result	Cincinnati Bengals won 27-7	Cincinnati Bengals won 21-10
Quarterbacks	Dan Fouts (SD), Ken Anderson (CIN)	Jim Kelly (BUF), Boomer Esiason (CIN)

Teams

In the 1981 AFC Championship Game, the San Diego Chargers faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chargers were led by quarterback Dan Fouts, who was known for his prolific passing abilities. The Bengals, on the other hand, were led by quarterback Ken Anderson, who was also a talented passer. Both teams had high-powered offenses that could put up points in a hurry.

Seven years later, in the 1988 AFC Championship Game, the Buffalo Bills took on the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills were led by quarterback Jim Kelly, who was known for his strong arm and leadership on the field. The Bengals, once again, were led by quarterback Boomer Esiason, who was a dynamic playmaker. Both teams had strong defenses that could shut down opposing offenses.

Offenses

In the 1981 AFC Championship Game, the San Diego Chargers had one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Dan Fouts was surrounded by talented receivers like Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner, who could stretch the field and make big plays. The Chargers' passing attack was virtually unstoppable, and they could put up points in a hurry.

On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals also had a potent offense led by Ken Anderson. Anderson had a strong arm and was able to spread the ball around to multiple receivers. The Bengals had a balanced attack that could beat teams through the air or on the ground, making them a dangerous team to face.

Fast forward to the 1988 AFC Championship Game, and the Buffalo Bills had a high-powered offense of their own. Jim Kelly was surrounded by playmakers like Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed, who could make big plays in the passing game. The Bills' no-huddle offense was revolutionary at the time and gave opposing defenses fits.

Similarly, the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988 had a dynamic offense led by Boomer Esiason. Esiason was a dual-threat quarterback who could beat teams with his arm or his legs. The Bengals had a strong running game led by Ickey Woods, which helped open up the passing game for Esiason and his receivers.

Defenses

In the 1981 AFC Championship Game, the San Diego Chargers had a solid defense that was able to make key stops when needed. Players like Fred Dean and Gary "Big Hands" Johnson anchored the defensive line, while the secondary was led by standout cornerback Willie Buchanon. The Chargers' defense was able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force turnovers.

Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals in 1981 had a stout defense of their own. Players like Reggie Williams and Ross Browner led a physical front seven that could stop the run and get after the quarterback. The Bengals' secondary was also strong, with players like Ken Riley and Louis Breeden locking down opposing receivers.

When it came to the 1988 AFC Championship Game, the Buffalo Bills had a dominant defense that was one of the best in the league. Players like Bruce Smith and Cornelius Bennett wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, while the secondary was led by ball-hawking cornerback Nate Odomes. The Bills' defense was able to shut down high-powered offenses and make key stops in crucial moments.

Similarly, the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988 had a solid defense that was able to keep them in games. Players like Tim Krumrie and David Fulcher anchored the defense, while the secondary was led by cornerback Eric Thomas. The Bengals' defense was able to make key stops and force turnovers, giving their high-powered offense a chance to win games.

Outcome

In the 1981 AFC Championship Game, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to come out on top, defeating the San Diego Chargers by a score of 27-7. The Bengals' balanced attack on offense and stout defense proved to be too much for the Chargers to handle. The Bengals went on to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI, where they ultimately fell short.

On the other hand, in the 1988 AFC Championship Game, the Cincinnati Bengals were unable to overcome the Buffalo Bills, losing by a score of 21-10. The Bills' high-powered offense and dominant defense proved to be too much for the Bengals to handle. The Bills went on to face the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII, where they ultimately fell short.