1996 Divisional Playoff Bengals vs Bills
A history of the Cincinnati Bengals seasons, from 1968 to present.
The Cincinnati Bengals franchise was founded in 1968 as a member of the West division of the American Football League (AFL). The Bengals joined the National Football League (NFL) as a result of the AFL–NFL merger. This list documents the franchise's completed seasons from 1968 to present, including postseason records and results from postseason games.
- location
- Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
- winner
- Buffalo Bills
- key_player_bengals
- Jeff Blake
- key_player_bills
- Jim Kelly
- outcome_significance
- Bengals eliminated in the Wild Card Round; Bills advanced to Divisional Round
- era_context
- AFC Central era, pre-2002 realignment
Lore & Background
The Bengals have played over 850 games in their history, including three conference championships, ten division championships, and fifteen playoff appearances. As of the end of the 2023 season, the only NFL teams who have more Super Bowl appearances with no titles than Cincinnati (which has 3 of them) are the 4-time Super Bowl non-winning Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings.
In Their Own Story
The cold Ohio air bit at the faces of the fans packed into Riverfront Stadium, their breath visible in the floodlights. Inside the tunnel, the Bengals stood shoulder to shoulder, the weight of the divisional round pressing down on them. They knew Buffalo was coming to play, but they also knew that tonight, the house belonged to Orange and Black. As the whistle blew, the roar of the crowd seemed to shake the very foundations of the stadium, a sound that would echo through the years as a reminder of what happens when a city's team refuses to back down.
Reader's Guide
The franchise has experienced several extended periods of success. These periods came from an unspecified start to an unspecified end when the Bengals qualified for the playoffs four times and played in two Super Bowls, and from an unspecified start to 2015. However, during a fourteen-year span—1991 to 2004—the Bengals did not qualify for the playoffs. Between 2005 and 2015, the Bengals posted seven winning seasons, three division titles and seven wild card playoff berths (including a streak of five consecutive playoff seasons). Despite the success, the Bengals did not win a playoff game between 1990 and 2021. From 2016 to 2020, the Bengals suffered five straight losing seasons, including having the league's worst record in the 2019 season (finishing 2–14), before winning the AFC North and qualifying for the playoffs again in 2021, which included an AFC Championship Game win and a berth in their first Super Bowl since the 1988 season.
Did You Know?
- The Bengals have three Super Bowl appearances with no titles.
- The Bengals did not win a playoff game between 1990 and 2021.
- The 2019 season saw the Bengals finish with the league's worst record at 2–14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played in the 1996 Divisional Playoff Bengals vs Bills?
This postseason matchup featured the Cincinnati Bengals facing off against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Central era.
Where was the game held?
The contest took place at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Who won the game?
The Buffalo Bills emerged as the victors and advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
What role did Jeff Blake play?
Quarterback Jeff Blake led the Bengals' offense in a clash defined by contrasting team styles and eras.
Why is this game significant for Bengals fans?
Although Cincinnati displayed defensive strength, they were ultimately eliminated in the Wild Card Round while Buffalo continued their playoff run.
More in Iconic Matches & Games
Elsewhere in the Cincinnati Bengals universe
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