NFL Primetime

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?

I know Hank Williams, Jr. no longer does the opening for Monday Night Football, and this is Thursday, but whatever. Go with it.

Tonight is a rare occasion for us. We very rarely get to see the Buffalo Bills in primetime, and well, there’s good reason for it.

In 2007, the Buffalo Bills played the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night and we had a BLAST (just the two of us at home!)… until they lost in a horrible upset when their kicker nailed a 56-yard field goal within the final seconds of the game. HEARTBREAK.

{Ready for Monday Night Football in 2008}
Then, in 2008, the Bills played the Cleveland Browns for Monday Night Football and all was entertaining. Toward the end of the game, the Browns’ kicker managed a 56-yard field goal (what are the chances?!) and then when our offense marched down the field to answer it and win the game in the final minutes, our kicker missed the field goal, effectively losing the game. HEARTBREAK.

In 2009, the Bills’ season opener was Monday Night Football against the New England Patriots. IN FOXBORO. It was my worst nightmare. But the Bills surprisingly were hanging tough, and going into the final two minutes, they were GOING TO WIN. We were beside ourselves. And then, in a moment of stupidity, the kick returner decided to fight for yardage instead of playing it safe and holding onto the ball, and he fumbled it DEEP into Patriots’ territory (since he had made the decision to run it out of the end zone). You can probably see where this is going. He fumbled it and the Patriots recovered. Tom Brady easily led the team to a touchdown and they won the game at the very end. HEARTBREAK.

{9 months pregnant at a Bills preseason game in 2010}
But let’s face it, we’re used to heartbreak in Bills country. Our team hasn’t made the playoffs since the 1998 season. If you’re counting, that’s THIRTEEN YEARS, and it’s likely going to be fourteen when this season is over. It’s the longest playoff drought in NFL history, which pretty much means the Bills are the worst team ever. Kill me now.

Still, we have hope season after season. It’s hardcore loyalty. Or maybe it’s insanity, I don’t know. Take your pick.

So we’ll sit here tonight and watch the Buffalo Bills take on the Miami Dolphins for Thursday Night Football. Who knows, maybe it’s our chance.

After all, it’s Thursday. Not Monday.