Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills have clinched a playoff spot for the fourth-straight year, and also captured their fifth win in-a-row thanks to a 32-29 win over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.
Kicker Tyler Bass connected on a game-winning 25-yard field goal as time expired on the clock, while quarterback Josh Allen threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. Allen also added 77 yards rushing on 10 carries, including a 44-yard scamper to set up the game-tying touchdown.
It wasn't easy, as both offenses were back-and-forth all game with Buffalo outgaining Miami, 446-406, in total yards.
The first quarter saw Miami get the lead on the first drive with a field goal, but Buffalo responded immediately with Allen's first passing touchdown to Quintin Morris, which was the first career touchdown for the tight end. The 14-year strike gave Buffalo its first lead of the evening.
Following another Miami field goal, the two teams exchanged touchdowns.
Buffalo extended its lead to 14-3 thanks to another first, with running back Nyheim Hines scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass to secure his first touchdown as a member of the Bills since his trade to Buffalo at the trade deadline.
Miami got a rushing touchdown from running back Salvon Ahmed to inch closer again, narrowing the Buffalo lead to 14-13.
However, with time running down in the first half, Allen took every second on the final play before halftime to find give the Bills some comfort heading into the half. All was able to roll to his right towards the sidelines before firing a four-yard touchdown strike to running back James Cook to take a 21-13 lead to the locker room.
The third quarter took a turn for the worse for Buffalo, as Miami reclaimed the lead thanks to a 13-point quarter, while Buffalo was stymied all throughout the first 15 minutes of the half.
Miami's lead did expand to 29-21 in the fourth quarter after the Dolphins forced a strip sack of Allen and converted the turnover into three points.
Allen and the Bills weren't done, though.
The offense finally woke up thanks to a huge 44-yard draw play from Allen. His run took the Bills from the Buffalo 43-yard line to the Dolphins' 13-yard line.
The Buffalo quarterback ended the drive with his fourth passing touchdown of the night, this time to to tight end Dawson Knox for a five-yard strike.
Down by two with a chance to tie the game at 29-29 with a two-point conversion, Allen tried to take it upon himself to secure the tie with a superhero-like effort by jumping over the pile of players for the goal line. After the play was initially ruled short and the two-point conversion was no good, a review revealed Allen did get the ball to cross the plane of the goal line and the call was overturned.
The Bills defense had one last stop in them, forcing a Miami punt with just under six minutes left in regulation. At that point, Allen and the Buffalo offense made sure the Dolphins wouldn't see the football again.
Buffalo took up the rest of the game clock with a 15-play, driving 86 yards to seal a victory. The drive also included a huge pass interference penalty that put Buffalo into the red zone with less than a minute left in the game.
After running back Devin Singletary elected to get to the ground on a late run, Bass was set up to be the hero, as he finished the drive and the game-winning 25-yard kick to give Buffalo a 32-29 win.
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GAME SUMMARY
First quarter:
- 3-0 MIAMI: Dolphins field goal (2:59) - Jason Sanders' 39-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 14 plays, 52 yards, 7:45
- 7-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (1:05) - Josh Allen tosses a 14-yard touchdown pass to Quintin Morris. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:54
Second quarter:
- 7-6 BUFFALO: Dolphins field goal (14:47) - Jason Sanders' 21-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 5 plays, 72 yards, 1:18
- 14-6 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (8:18) - Josh Allen lobs a 10-yard touchdown pass to Nyheim Hines. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:29
- 14-13 BUFFALO: Dolphins touchdown (2:59) - Salvon Ahmed rushes 11 yards for a touchdown. (Jason Sanders' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:19
- 21-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (0:00) - Josh Allen connects with James Cook for a four-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 82 yards, 2:59
Third quarter:
- 21-19 BUFFALO: Dolphins touchdown (12:48) - Tua Tagovailoa connects with Jaylon Waddle for a 67-yard touchdown pass. (Miami's two-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful)
Drive info: 3 plays, 73 yards, 0:51
- 26-21 MIAMI: Dolphins touchdown (2:30) - Tua Tagovailoa fires a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill. (Jason Sanders' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:59
Fourth quarter:
- 29-21 MIAMI: Dolphins field goal (11:56) - Jason Sanders' 47-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:43
- 29-29 TIE: Bills touchdown (9:02) - Josh Allen tosses a five-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox. (Buffalo's two-point conversion attempt is successful)
Drive info: 7 plays, 75 yard, 2:54
- 32-29 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (0:00) - Tyler Bass' 25-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 15 plays, 86 yards, 5:56
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills head back out on the road for another Saturday game in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on the official voice of the Buffalo Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
