Miami, Fla. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills traveled to Miami to take on the division rival Dolphins for the first time this season at Hard Rock Stadium. After a game riddled with injuries, a blocked punt and problems with the heat, the Bills come up short of a victory, falling 21-19 to the Dolphins.
The Bills received the ball for the opening kickoff and went to work quickly, scoring on their eighth-consecutive opening drive. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 70 yards on the opening drive and capped it off with a two-yard touchdown pass to Bills running back Devin Singletary.
After an unsuccessful opening drive from the Dolphins, Miami's defense came up with a fumble recovery after getting to Allen on a third down deep inside Buffalo territory. Three plays later, Dolphins running back Chase Edmonds punched the ball in on a two-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.
The Bills made up for the fumble on their next drive, where wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie led the way for the Bills. Allen and McKenzie first hooked up for a 27-yard pass, and then again for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Buffalo the 14-7 lead.
Not to be outdone, Miami came out firing on their next drive, where Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found wide receiver River Cracraft open in the end zone on an 11-yard pass that tied the game, 14-14.
The end of the second half proved uneventful on the scoreboard, as did the beginning of the second half. However, both teams were struggling on the injury front.
Tagovailoa left the game near the end of the first half with an apparent concussion, but re-entered the game to start the third quarter after clearing concussion protocol. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins signal caller tweaked his back, and later had it lock up on his after being shoved by Bills linebacker Matt Milano.
On the Bills' side of things, key players like tight end Dawson Knox and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie missed portions of the third quarter after suffering from problems with the Florida heat. Stefon Diggs also dealt with problems with the heat throughout the game.
Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Christian Benford left the game with a hand injury, but eventually returned and took snaps with the special teams unit.
After forcing a Dolphins punt to open the second half, the Bills started first drive of the quarter at their own one-yard line. Allen and the offense converted on third down three times on the drive, but ultimately had to settle for a 30-yard Tyler Bass field goal that gave Buffalo a 17-14 lead.
The Dolphins started the fourth quarter with the ball after a missed field goal from Bass. After two big connections between Tagovailoa and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Edmonds finished off the drive with his second touchdown of the day that gave Miami the 21-17 lead.
The Bills made a big push as the two-minute-warning came and went, driving the ball all the way down to Miami's one-yard line. However, Buffalo ended up coming short of taking the lead.
On Miami's following drive, the Dolphins were forced to punt the ball, but kicker Thomas Morstead booted the ball into one of his teammates, which resulted in a safety to make the score 21-19.
With one more effort to win the game, Buffalo was able to get into field goal range for Bass to try and win the game. However, time ran out on Allen and the offense before they could spike the ball.
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (9:03) - Josh Allen lobs a two-yard touchdown pass to Devin Singletary. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:57
- 7-7 TIE: Dolphins touchdown (3:37) - Chase Edmonds punches through with a two-yard touchdown run. (Jason Sanders' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:36
Second Quarter:
- 14-7 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (11:59) - Josh Allen fires an eight-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah McKenzie. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:38
- 14-14 TIE: Dolphins touchdown (6:45) - Tua Tagovailoa finds River Cracraft with an 11-yard touchdown pass. (Jason Sanders' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 83 yards, 5:14
Third Quarter:
- 17-14 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (3:40) - Tyler Bass' 30-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 20 plays, 87 yards, 9:22
Fourth Quarter:
- 21-17 MIAMI: Dolphins touchdown (10:05) - Chase Edmonds runs in his second touchdown of the day on a three-yard rush. (Jason Sanders' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 72 yards, 4:04
- 21-19 MIAMI: Bills Safety (1:33) - Thomas Morestead's punt was blocked and the ball rolled through the back of the end zone for a safety.
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME
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What's next:
The Bills head back on the road next Sunday afternoon to face the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on the official voice of the Buffalo Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
