Oilers Win, Will Play Bills Again : AFC: Houston, with a loss, could have played in San Diego but instead will play at Buffalo.

The Houston Oilers, taking advantage of the return of quarterback Warren Moon and an injury to Buffalo’s Jim Kelly, pounded the Bills, 27-3, Sunday night, setting up a rematch in the first round of the playoffs.

The loss ended a string of four straight AFC East Division titles for Buffalo (11-5), the championship going to Miami after its 16-13 victory over New England. The Oilers (10-6) are in the playoffs for an NFL-best sixth consecutive season.

The Oilers, with a reputation for playing close games and liking warm weather, could have played in fair-weathered San Diego instead of frigid Buffalo had they lost to the Bills.

But the Oilers refused to take the more comfortable route.

Cody Carlson, still subbing for Moon, who had been sidelined since Nov. 15 with a broken arm, directed the Oilers to a 10-3 lead in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Harris and Al Del Greco’s 28-yard field goal. Harris’ touchdown was set up by Jerry Gray’s two-yard interception return to the Buffalo 30.

Then fortune really turned against the Bills.

Kelly was sacked by Ray Childress for a seven-yard loss with 7:58 left in the half and Lee Williams fell on top of Kelly. Kelly left the game with a sprained ligament in his right knee and did not return.

“I’m not counting myself out now,” Kelly said.

Also injured at various times in the game were receiver Don Beebe, running back Thurman Thomas and linebacker Darryl Talley, although none appeared serious. Linebacker Cornelius Bennett did not play and Bruce Smith played despite rib problems.

Steve Christie kicked a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter and then missed on a 33-yard try on the play after Kelly’s injury.

Then Moon reported into the game and guided the Oilers to a 20-3 halftime lead.

The Oilers were forced to punt on Moon’s first series, but he completed the next drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to AFC leading receiver Haywood Jeffires on his second series.

The Oilers got another scoring chance before halftime when Bubba McDowell returned an interception 25 yards to the Buffalo 32. That helped set up an 18-yard field goal by Del Greco for a 20-3 halftime lead.

Carlson returned in the second half, but couldn’t ignite the offense. He was intercepted by Mark Kelso early in the fourth quarter, his seventh turnover in three games.

The Oilers had seven sacks, six against Kelly’s backup, Frank Reich.

Moon completed of 12 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

“This had to be our best game of the year,” Oiler Coach Jack Pardee said. “I hope it’s not a false peak. If we play this way, we’ll be around for awhile.”