OilersVERSUSBills

Buffalo entered the postseason after consecutive Super Bowl defeats, but injuries forced backup Frank Reich to start for Jim Kelly and left other stars unavailable. Houston had beaten the Bills decisively one week earlier, creating the sense that the Oilers' run-and-shoot offense had caught a wounded contender at exactly the right time.

• Reich was making his first NFL playoff start because Kelly had injured his knee in the regular-season finale against the same opponent.
• Thurman Thomas was available but injured early, while All-Pro linebacker Cornelius Bennett was also inactive for Buffalo.
• The Oilers had closed the regular season with a victory over Buffalo and brought Warren Moon's veteran offense back for the immediate rematch.

Sources: NFL Throwback: The Comeback · Titans playoff history