In 1988, he was moved to safety and played mainly nickel back. He recorded 26 tackles, 3 interceptions and one sack. In Super Bowl XXIII, after being up 13–6 over the San Francisco 49ers at the beginning of the fourth quarter, driving from the Bengals 10-yard line, quarterback Joe Montana threw a pass towards Billups that he dropped in the end zone. On the next play, the 49ers scored a touchdown, tying the game at 13. Towards the game's conclusion, Montana threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to John Taylor who was being covered by Horton, for a 20–16 lead with 34 seconds left and the eventual championship. He also was the team's punt returner during the game.