If fear of losing motivates, the Buffalo Bills should enable 100 million Americans to overcome the fear of watching Super Bowl XXVII Sunday.
In two weeks, the Bills have progressed from annoying guests to sympathetic underdogs, convincing the country they at least deserve a chance against the bright, shiny new Dallas Cowboys.
Grandfatherly coach Marv Levy suggested his Bills are really “America’s Team,” steeled by two Super Bowl losses, buoyed by an impressive third consecutive appearance, inspired by the greatest comeback in NFL history, tired of Buffalo jokes as silly and numerous as the Roman numeral XXVII. Could next year’s really be XXVIII?
The upstart Cowboys of slick coach Jimmy Johnson and slicker owner Jerry Jones are no more than Arkansas’ Team, too young and cocky to deserve so much only three years after a 1-15 season. Besides, they are ganging up on old Marv, sending two head coaches against one. The Bears’ Dave Wannstedt is the first head coach to make his debut in the Super Bowl, moonlighting as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
The Bills have paid their dues. Over five years, they have won more games than any previous NFL team over a similar period-66-a record that stamps them as great by any standard except the only one people remember.
Their four biggest stars-quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, defensive end Bruce Smith and linebacker Cornelius Bennett-limp onto the stage this time instead of strut. All are nursing various aches and pains that have limited their play and their bravado, making them more aware of their opportunity to make history one way or another.
To add to the drama, Kelly is dedicating his game to his mother, suffering from emphysema. Bennett is playing for his father, who suffered a stroke the day after the Bills overcame a 35-3 deficit to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 and stay in this tournament.
“It’s almost like someone out there is saying something good is supposed to happen to the Buffalo Bills,” Kelly said.
Almost.
The Cowboys are awfully good, one-touchdown favorites from the same NFC East Division that has beaten the Bills the last two years. That the Bills were 4-0 against NFC teams this year doesn’t seem to offset the 8-0 Super Bowl run by the NFC.
Quarterback Troy Aikman and Wannstedt’s No. 1-ranked defense are the two main reasons the Cowboys are favored. Aikman clearly has outplayed Kelly over the last half of the season and the playoffs. While the fabulous matchup of running backs Emmitt Smith and Thurman Thomas is a standoff, Aikman’s play is what makes Johnson say, “If we go out and play the way we know we can play, then bring ’em on, whoever they are.”
From Levy comes perspective.
“World War II was a must-win,” he says to anyone who takes this too seriously.
With great running backs operating behind 300-pound offensive linemen, Dallas was second and Buffalo third in scoring, portending the kind of shootout that never happens.
If it does, the game-breakers will have to provide the edge because there are enough standoffs on paper to expect closer competition than the Rose Bowl is used to seeing.
Kelly’s no-huddle is offset by Wannstedt’s no-worry combination of youth and speed and depth. The Cowboys have practiced against two alternating huddles all week to simulate the pace. The Cowboys hope for two things: Kelly’s notorious impatience or a Buffalo decision to try to control the clock.
If Kelly tries to force the ball downfield to slot receiver Andre Reed or speed receiver Don Beebe, he runs into a defense that prides itself on preventing the big play. Matchups against Reed, Beebe and James Lofton are touchy with nickel back Ron Gant joining cornerbacks Kevin Smith and Larry Brown. But Wannstedt says Buffalo’s offense is most like Washington’s, which Johnson’s Cowboys have beaten in four of eight meetings.
Rookie safety Darren Woodson could end up on Thomas, whose multiple talents make him the most dangerous man on either side.
“I think every quarterback at one time or another will try to force things,” Dallas safety Thomas Everett said. “We know Kelly tries to get the ball to Reed and Thurman and go deep with Beebe.”
Wannstedt will try to substitute to keep pass rushers fresh.
“Kelly’s not a Steve Young as far as his scrambling ability, so we sense the fact that we can go out there and put some pressure on him,” Dallas defensive tackle Tony Casillas said.
Wannstedt said the Cowboys have returned two interceptions for touchdowns, and pass rusher Charles Haley was hanging on the quarterback’s arm both times.
Wannstedt suggests another scenario for the Bills that might be as much wishful thinking as prediction.
“If they don’t execute, that’s more time that Emmitt Smith gets the ball,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve faced a lot of teams that say, `Let’s keep the ball away from Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith.’ How many times do you want to give Troy the ball?”
Indeed, Wannstedt’s defense has benefited tremendously by being on the field less time than any other defense in the league. The Cowboys’ offense has led the NFL in time of possession.
This is a concern to the Bills, who recognize their no-huddle pace is feast or famine. Although they led the league in number of offensive plays, they were 26th in clock time. Kelly may want to change previous Super Bowl strategy and be content to hand off to Thomas and dump off to tight end Pete Metzelaars, who tied Lofton for the team lead in touchdown receptions with six.
Aikman’s efficiency grows by the week and stems from the best-balanced offense in football. Smith is the first rushing champion to play in a Super Bowl. In 1991, the Cowboys became the first team to field the rushing champion and the receiving champion (Irvin) at the same time.
“You ask what’s their strength, and that’s what scares me,” Levy said.
The Bills’ defense is improved over the last two years. They are first in average yards per rush, a good sign against Smith.
“This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Bruce Smith said.
With Bruce Smith and a healthy Bennett chasing Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys’ running back may be a decoy until Aikman’s arm can provide a lead. That’s how they beat the 49ers.
Aikman has six receivers who caught at least 32 passes. If Irvin isn’t there, Alvin Harper or slot receiver Kelvin Martin is. Irvin caught 78 passes, tight end Jay Novacek 68, Smith 59, an almost perfect progression of long, midrange and short targets. Harper caught 35, Martin 32 and unsung fullback Daryl Johnston 32. All six caught touchdown passes, and Johnston’s role has increased since an injury to blocking tight end Alfredo Roberts.
Buffalo safety Henry Jones has eight interceptions and two touchdown runbacks, but Aikman has thrown only four interceptions since Game 9.
Coming back from a 35-3 deficit gave the Bills religion.
“It changed our whole outlook on the game itself,” linebacker Shane Conlan said. “Anything is possible.”
That the Bills could fall behind 35-3 indicates flaws that give the Cowboys confidence.
“If they think they’re America’s Team, then we’ll just have to beat America’s Team,” Johnson said.
“I feel no dread,” Levy countered.
