Image Credit: © Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills spent the first half of their game on Sunday with the Miami Dolphins shaking off the cobwebs from their bye week. The Bills managed a single Tyler Bass field and were tied with Miami before exploding for 23 second-half points and a 26-11 victory over the Dolphins.
Quarterback Josh Allen was the catalyst that led to the win having a hand in all three of the Bills touchdowns. Allen would finish the day 29-of-42 for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He was also Buffalo's leading rusher with 55 yards on eight carries. His seven-yard run for a score with 1:07 left in the game set the final score.
It wasn't pleasant early on as both teams could manage just a field goal in the first half. Bass connected on a 57-yarder late in the first half to give Buffalo the lead. Miami would answer midway through the second quarter with a 51-yard field goal. The game remained tied at 3-3 well into the third quarter.
© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Bills finally got on track, taking over at their 20-yard line after a Miami punt. Allen led a 13-play, 80-yard drive as the Bills converted on three third downs before an eight-yard pass from Allen to Gabriel Davis gave Buffalo the first touchdown of the game with 3:49 left in the third quarter.
The Dolphins could not convert again, going three-and-out for the third straight series. Allen would immediately lead another Bills touchdown drive. This time, a nine-play, 69-yard drive culminated in an Allen-to-Stefon Diggs 19-yard touchdown pass.
Miami, which has now lost seven straight since winning its season opener, showed some signs of life as QB Tua Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to the Buffalo one-yard line and finished the 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The successful two-point conversion pulled Miami within six points, 17-11, of the Bills.
© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Allen and the Bills then ate up over six minutes of the clock scoring on a second Bass field goal, this one from 39 yards. The game was all but over when Jordan Poyer picked off Tagovailoa on the ensuing drive with just 2:26 to play.
In addition to being the Dolphins seventh consecutive loss this season, Sunday's defeat was also the seventh straight loss to Buffalo. That is the longest such streak in the series between the two AFC East foes.
The Bills defense got back to business, holding Miami to just 262 total yards, including just 68 on the ground. Buffalo sacked Tagovailoa twice, picked him off once, and recovered a fumble on an errant shotgun snap.
The win gets Buffalo back on track after losing to Tennessee 34-31 just before the bye week. Now 5-2, the Bills begin a stretch of four games in which they play three on the road. It starts next Sunday when Buffalo travels to Jacksonville to take on the 1-6 Jaguars.
BillsFans.com - Editorial Staff
Related:
THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - Scary, but Plenty of Treats
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins Week 8 game preview
Bills Nation Wouldn’t Mind a Little Déjà vu All Over Again
Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans - A Few Thoughts about the Titans Game, in no particular order