1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals vs. 1988 AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals

Attribute	1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals	1988 AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals
Year	1981	1988
Round	Divisional Playoff	AFC Championship
Teams	Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals	Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals
Location	Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York	Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Result	Cincinnati Bengals won 28-21	Cincinnati Bengals won 21-10

Introduction

The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals have a long history of facing off in crucial playoff games. Two of the most memorable matchups between these two teams occurred in the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game and the 1988 AFC Championship Game. Both games were intense battles that showcased the talent and determination of both teams. In this article, we will compare the attributes of these two games and analyze how they impacted the rivalry between the Bills and Bengals.

1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game

The 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals took place on January 3, 1982. The game was played at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals were the favorites going into the game, having finished the regular season with a 12-4 record compared to the Bills' 10-6 record. However, the Bills came out strong and took an early lead in the first quarter.

The Bengals fought back and tied the game in the second quarter, but the Bills regained the lead before halftime. The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading touchdowns. In the end, the Bills emerged victorious with a final score of 28-21. The game was a hard-fought battle that showcased the resilience of both teams.

• The Bills' defense was a key factor in their victory, forcing several turnovers and keeping the Bengals' offense in check.
• Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson had a solid performance, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
• The Bengals' offense struggled at times, but they were able to make some big plays to keep the game close.

1988 AFC Championship Game

The 1988 AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals took place on January 8, 1989. The game was played at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals were once again the favorites, having finished the regular season with a 12-4 record compared to the Bills' 11-5 record. The Bengals got off to a strong start, scoring two quick touchdowns in the first quarter.

The Bills struggled to get their offense going, and the Bengals' defense was able to shut them down for most of the game. The Bengals extended their lead in the second half, and the Bills were unable to mount a comeback. The final score was 21-10 in favor of the Bengals, who advanced to the Super Bowl. The game was a disappointing loss for the Bills, who had high hopes of making it to the big game.

• The Bengals' defense was the standout unit in the game, holding the Bills to just 10 points and forcing several turnovers.
• Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason had a solid performance, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
• The Bills' offense struggled to find a rhythm, and their running game was largely ineffective against the Bengals' stout defense.

Comparison

When comparing the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game and the 1988 AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, several key differences emerge. In the 1981 game, the Bills were able to come out on top thanks to a strong defensive performance and solid play from their quarterback. The Bengals put up a good fight, but ultimately fell short in a close contest.

On the other hand, the 1988 game was a different story, with the Bengals dominating on both sides of the ball. Their defense stifled the Bills' offense, while their own offense was able to move the ball effectively and put points on the board. The Bills struggled to keep up and were unable to mount a comeback in the second half.

• The 1981 game was a closely contested battle that could have gone either way, while the 1988 game was more one-sided in favor of the Bengals.
• The Bengals' defense was a key factor in both games, but their offense was more effective in the 1988 game.
• The Bills' offense was a major weakness in both games, but they were able to overcome it in 1981 and not in 1988.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game and the 1988 AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals were two memorable matchups that showcased the talent and determination of both teams. While the outcomes of the games were different, they both played a significant role in shaping the rivalry between the Bills and Bengals. Both games will be remembered as classic battles that highlighted the competitive nature of playoff football.