As the clock ran out, Tyler Bass made a 25-yard field goal to help the Buffalo Bills defeat the Miami Dolphins 32-29 and secure their fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
On a snow-covered field, the Buffalo Bills rallied to defeat the Miami Dolphins 32-29, securing their fourth consecutive postseason berth with Tyler Bass’ 25-yard field goal with seconds remaining in the game.
The Bills (11-3) scored on their final two possessions to overturn a 29-21 deficit. Josh Allen completed a 5-yard pass to Dawson Knox to tie the score at 29 with 9:02 left in the game. The quarterback then jumped over the goal line to score the extra point.
To set up Bass’ field goal, Allen then oversaw a 15-play, 86-yard drive that took up the final 5:56 of the game. As a result, many Bills players dove headfirst into the snow.
Allen now has 171 career touchdown passes (including one receiving) and is tied with former Miami quarterback Dan Marino for the most by an NFL player in the first five seasons of a career.
Buffalo increased its advantage over Miami to three wins and moved one step closer to securing the AFC East championship with its third victory in three weeks over a division rival.
The Dolphins (8-6) were in second place and the sixth seed in the AFC heading into the weekend. In their quest to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016, they have already suffered three straight losses.
Despite the cold, with temperatures in the 20s, snow didn’t really become a problem until it started to fall heavily in the fourth quarter. By game time, the predicted lake-effect storm that might have dumped up to two feet of snow on the area had not arrived. By late afternoon, the snow had stopped, allowing stadium staff to plow the field in time for kickoff.
The weather was very different than when the Dolphins defeated Buffalo 21-19 in Miami in September, when it was 89 degrees outside.
In a game they almost threw away, the Bills used the advantages of playing on their home field this time.
With 2:30 remaining in the third quarter, Tua Tagovailoa’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill gave the Dolphins the lead. After the Bills stopped the Dolphins on a three-and-out at midfield, Cam Lewis of Buffalo was called for roughing punter Thomas Morstead, which prolonged Miami’s drive.
Two plays into the fourth quarter, Miami took advantage of Allen getting sacked and losing a fumble that was forced by Jaelan Phillips and recovered by Christian Wilkins near midfield. The error allowed Jason Sanders to kick a 47-yard field goal as a result.
Including a 67-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle, Tagovailoa completed 17 of 30 passes for 234 yards and two scores. Salvon Ahmed, Raheem Mostert’s backup, ran for 43 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown, while Mostert finished with 136 yards overall.
Allen completed 25 of 40 passes for 304 yards, matching a career high, and passed for four touchdowns. James Cook, Nyheim Hynes, and Quintin Morris all recorded touchdown catches.
As time ran down, Allen completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Cook to put Buffalo up 21-13 and conclude a 12-play, 82-yard drive. Allen displayed his fearlessness and willingness to never give up on a play.
With 8 seconds left, Allen faced first-and-goal and waited in the pocket before being flushed to his right. Allen discovered Cook by himself at the back of the end zone with two steps remaining before crossing the line of scrimmage.
WELCOME BACK
Less than a week after signing the 11-year veteran, the Bills promoted wide receiver Cole Beasley from their practice squad for the game. Beasley returned to Buffalo, where he had spent the previous two months playing, after a brief two-month hiatus. Beasley made one catch for nine yards while sporting his trademark No. 11.
INJURIES
the dolphins: WR Mr. Jaylen Waddle, DB Keion Crossen suffered a knee injury in the first half, came back, and then exited the game in the fourth.
Bills: C After being examined for a head injury in the second half, Mitch Morse did not come back.
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