The Buffalo Bills celebrate a 34:31 win against the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs, but have to tremble more than expected and necessary in the duel with the AFC East rival.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen makes the game exciting with two interceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
At the same time, the playmaker keeps his nerve and puts enough points on the board in good time – he has a total of 352 passing yards and three touchdown passes.
Without the injured Tua Tagovailoa, Miami must rely on a rookie quarterback in Skylar Thompson, who will perform with courage but not hide his limits with just 18 completed passes in 45 attempts.
Buffalo meets the Cincinnati Bengals or the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in the divisional playoffs.
Defense keeps Miami in the game
For Thompson, a seventh-round draft pick who’s actually the third quarterback, to have success with the Buffalo powerhouse, a few things would have had to come together.
Above all, of course, that the 25-year-old grows beyond himself – despite all his efforts, that didn’t really happen. In addition, a defense that keeps Buffalo’s massive offense in check – that sometimes worked well or at least scored.
In addition, Thompson would have needed a good deal of help from his offensive colleagues – there was now legitimate reason to complain.
Highly talented receivers like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (first catch in the last quarter!) sometimes acted unfocused and dropped catchable balls. The running game didn’t really get going without Raheem Mostert. The O-Line gave their QB too little time too often.
Schlendrian creeps in at Bill’s
Given the performances of both teams, it was almost a little grotesque that the Dolphins went into the break only 17:20 behind.
This had a lot to do with the Bills, who got off to a good start as expected and were still leading 14-0 in the first quarter after a TD pass from Allen to Dawson Knox and a 12-yard run from James Cook.
BUFFALO BILLS:
|
Name |
Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | 352 (3 TD, 2 INT) | 20 | |
| Devin Singletary | 48 | ||
| James Cook | 39 (1 TD) | ||
| Stefon Diggs | 114 | ||
| Gabe Davis | 113 (1 TD) | ||
| Khalil Shakir | 51 | ||
| Cole Beasley | 35 (1 TD) | ||
| Dawson Knox | 20 (1 TD) | ||
| Quintin Morris | 12 | ||
| Nyheim Hines | 7 |
Early in the second quarter, the home side increased the lead to 17:0 with a field goal after Knox’s second TD was denied them via video study.
After that, however, the routine crept in. First Xavien Howard intercepted a long pass from the Bills playmaker, shortly before the end of the first half Allen afforded a second interception – this time in his own half of the game.
Horror start for Buffalo in the second half
The Dolphins punished this coldly with a TD pass from Thompson to tight end Mike Gesicki – together with the three previously scored field goals plus the now converted two-point conversion, this led to the completely unexpected 17:17 equalizer.
Within 30 seconds, Allen led his offense across the field to score at least one field goal and start the second half with a lead behind him.
MIAMI DOLPHINS:
|
Name |
Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skylar Thompson | 220 (1 TD, 2 INT) | 3 | |
| Jeff Wilson | 23 (1 TD) | 13 | |
| Jaylen Waddle | 8 | 44 | |
| Tyreek Hill | 5 | 69 | |
| Salvon Ahmed | 3 | 45 | |
| Durham Smythe | 20 | ||
| Mike Gesicki | 15 (1 TD) | ||
| Cedric Wilson | 14 |
However, the Bills got off to a horrific start, as Allen allowed himself a fumble that not only conquered Miami, but also carried Zach Sieler into the end zone for a touchdown.
The guests suddenly led by 24:20 – in this sport you don’t necessarily have to be the optically better team to be successful.
Allen unpacks two TD passports
But then you should be smart. Risking deep in your own half on a third try and 19 and trying a wide pass isn’t necessarily smart, it’s risky. Thompson tried it anyway and afforded an interception that offered the Bills a short field.
Buffalo punished this lapse and followed up with a TD pass from Allen to Cole Beasley. Beasley of all people, who only recently announced his resignation and also contributed an important catch on the way to the next TD.
Allen completed a 23-yard pass to make it 34:24 to Gabe Davis. That must have been the preliminary decision now, right?
Again not. Miami continued to leave no stone unturned and marched across the field. Waddle made a meaningful contribution with a run until just before the end zone (he still didn’t have a catch at that point), Jeff Wilson completed the run into the end zone – only 31:34.
Miami had the chance
One of the Bills’ next drives almost ended in a sporting super-GAU, as the Miami defense forced another fumble, but Buffalo was able to conquer it himself.
A good four minutes before the end, Miami had the chance to start a game-winning drive (or at least equalize), but in the end they acted too clumsily – so they had to use up the last timeout early, all three (!) were lost by the way, to avoid a delay of game.
Another delay of game even gave Miami another chance after failing on fourth try and 1. However, fourth and 6 also went wrong.
Without a timeout, Miami couldn’t stop Buffalo thereafter and the Bills managed to hook the marathon game that lasted nearly four hours.
Bottom line, Buffalo got off with a black eye – perhaps a timely wake-up call.
My heart is with my guys as they compete today! 🫶🏾
Supporting from home as I focus on my recovery. Nothing I want more than to be out there with them! LFG ❤️💙 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/gPGp5MiQEz
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 15, 2023
