It feels like only yesterday I was at the edge of my seat for the Thanksgiving 2018 NFL game between Buffalo and New England. Even though the Pats were heavy favorites, I was still secretly hoping my Buffalo Bills would pull out the win. I remember the roar of the crowd whenBuffalo scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Everybody was screaming, whistling and celebrating—it was pure electricity in the air!
After the score, the TV commentators started saying that the Bills had a real shot at an upset. That’s when I started to get nervous. That’s especially true because New England had proven themselves as such a powerhouse, and I just wasn’t sure Buffalo could overcome them.
But we kept hanging around. Quarterback Josh Allen kept making incredible plays and with five minutes left, we had managed to get a lead. My heart was pounding in my chest—I could hardly believe it was happening! We had really managed to beat the Pats, and my excitement was skyrocketing!
The next few minutes seemed to last a million years. We had to defend our lead, and each play felt like it could be the deciding moment. My anticipation was through the roof—any sort of mistake could cost us the game.
I don’t think I ever held my breath for that long! Somehow the Buffalo defense stayed strong and managed to close out the game. The entire stadium erupted in celebration when the final whistle sounded, and it was clear we had miraculously pulled off the win!
I couldn’t believe it. The Buffalo Bills really did beat New England! Against all odds, our team had turned in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. From that day on, I knew my team was a force to be reckoned with!
It was clear Buffalo had a real chance at the playoffs, and we proved it. With nearly the same roster, we were able to snag a wild card spot and compete in the postseason. We ended up beating the Jaguars and the Texans to make it to the AFC Championship game, and it felt incredible.
That win against the Pats gave us the energy and confidence to believe in ourselves going forward. We were no longer the underdogs, we were championship contenders! It was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve ever witnessed, and it all started with that stunning win in 2018.
It was a real testament to the power of positivity and believing in yourself. It taught us that if you can stay true to yourself and trust your abilities, you can accomplish almost anything. That game will forever live in my mind as a reminder of how far belief and teamwork can carry you.