NFL Spin Zone
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Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills
Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

Buffalo Bills: 1988 playoff berth

From 1982 through 1987, the Buffalo Bills were a struggling football team. They had a losing record in every one of those campaigns, with the exception of 1983 when they went 8-8. Still, no winning records for the franchise with such a loyal fan base was tough to endure.

Then, their fortunes changed after Marv Levy started to come into his own as their head coach. A former Grey Cup Champion coach of the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, Levy took the reins in the middle of the 1986 NFL season.

He saw improvement in his first full season, as they went 7-9. But then in his third season with the team, they were able to win 12 games as they won the AFC East division title.

That was the first time the team had a winning season with Jim Kelly under center, although his numbers were still unimpressive, as he had more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (15). Still, he made the Pro Bowl for his efforts in leading the Bills out of the cellar that season.

He was aided by second-round pick Thurman Thomas, who had 881 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. While he did the heavy lifting, it was the veteran Rob Riddick who hit pay dirt repeatedly. The 31-year old running back crossed the goal line 12 times while running for 438 total yards.

Once in the playoffs, the Bills defeated the then-Houston Oilers in the AFC Divisional Round before falling 21-10 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship. This season came out of nowhere, but Buffalo remained a force in the AFC, as they made it to six-straight postseasons following this berth — including four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s.

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