'98 Wild Card loss to Dolphins

BILLS ENDED LAST SEASON WITH LOSS TO DOLPHINS

For the third time this year, the refs played a major role in an important AFC East game. First there was the Patriots game in which the refs blew 2 calls that cost the Bills the game. Then the week after, the refs gave the Jets a game on a controversial Vinny TD. And now in this game, the refs do it again in the Bills AFC Wild Card game against the Dolphins. Andre Reed scored a touchdown that the refs took away. All replays showed that Reed was in. Andre was very upset and when he got up, he accidently bumped the ref. Result: Reed thrown out of the game, the Bills lose a down and 10 yards. This was not the only controversial call that the refs made. There were plenty to go around, mostly against the Bills.

The Bills made it interesting at the end. They did convert that drive into a field goal. Then they recovered an onside kick and drove down the field. The Bills go down to the Dolphins red zone, but Flutie gets blind sided on a third down play and fumbles the ball. Dolphins recover their fifth turnover and win the game, end of story!

Buffalo cannot make 5 turnovers and win any game! Despite the refs incompetence, the Bills could have won this game. On the Bills first play from scrimmage, Flutie throws a bomb to Eric Moulds and he makes a big play but gets the ball stripped from him, Dolphins recover. Late in the second quarter, in the red zone, Flutie forces the ball between two Dolphin defenders and has the ball intercepted. In the third quarter, Andre Reed has the same thing happen. He catches the ball, but has it stripped from him. Too many turnovers, too many penalties.

It was an exciting game, right to the end. However, the Bills season is over. It was a great season, with Flutie magic taking over the season. After a 0-3 start this season, the Bills turned it around and made a respectable run the rest of the way. They finished 10-6 and, with a few breaks and non-bad calls by the refs, could have won the Eastern Division this year. Doug Flutie had a stellar year in helping the Bills rebound from the terrible start. The playoff game against the Dolphins was very winnable. The Bills were their own worst enemy when they committed 5 crucial turnovers and 9 penalties. Even with their mistakes, they got down to 5 yards from tying the game. Doug Flutie, with his magic, even helped save the franchise, as the Bills sold the $11 in club seats by the Dec. 1 deadline. His performance on the field sparked the last minute flurry of ticket sales. Because of his heroics and his ability to help sell out the club seats, Ralph Wilson awarded Flutie a new contract worth $22 million.

That was the last game last season. Now that the Buffalo Sabres went to the Stanley Cup finals and came within a video review of taking it seven games, the fans of Buffalo really want a championship. Now it's the Bills turn to try to capture a crown.

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