The Buffalo Bills ran the gauntlet, winning five consecutive games to end the season and win their fourth consecutive AFC East crown.

Ahead of their playoff clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday, here are my instant takeaways from their win in Miami

The Bills Defense Is Elite

The unsung hero of the Buffalo Bills is a unit full of unsung heroes. Taron Johnson played a terrific game, leading the team in tackles. Tyrel Dodson was flying around the field and laying hits like a cannonball. Backup linebacker Baylon Spector came into the game and made a lot of good plays. 

Plus, look at how every Dolphins' drive ended in the second half: 

• Three-and-out
• Four plays, punt return for touchdown
• Three-and-out
• Three-and-out
• Four plays, interception, game over

All these depth pieces that initially struggled have come alive during this win streak. Taylor Rapp made two great plays to end the game. He batted down a deep pass, and then had the game-winning interception on the final play. Dane Jackson filled in for Rasul Douglas, and did a great job. While all the attention goes to the Bills' marvelous quarterback, their defensive unit has been one of the best in football.

Sean McDermott Didn't Live In His Fears

The biggest qualm with Sean McDermott, at least that I've had, is his tendency to play it safe and get conservative. For lack of a better term, he coaches scared- he didn't on Sunday. In the fourth quarter, while in their own territory and holding a one touchdown lead, McDermott went for it on fourth down, and the Bills converted with just over four minutes remaining. On the same drive, McDermott went for it again, this time at the Dolphins' territory at the 37 yard-line. While Buffalo didn't convert, it was the willingness to try that was missing for so long. Plus, the Bills ran the clock down to under two minutes and the Dolphins burnt all their timeouts, making them play with urgency that led to a careless interception from Tua Tagovailoa. McDermott always seemed stuck in his ways and not willing to change- he proved that he could change, and that has been huge for the Bills. 

The Bills Are Winning The Super Bowl

Josh Allen said it in his post-game interview with NBC- that was a microcosm of the Bills' season. They shot themselves in the foot multiple times, but made all the big plays when they needed to and escaped with a win. And it wasn't just Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs against the world for the Bills. Diggs did had a big bounce back game after a rough stretch in which he had five or fewer catches and 48 or fewer yards in four consecutive games. The reliable receiver also caught seven passes for 87 yards, including a 36 yard reception that set up the Bills' first score of the game.

It was more than one guy making plays, though. Dalton Kincaid had, in my opinion, his best game in terms of being consistently reliable in a winning effort. Trent Sherfield caught a touchdown. Khalil Shakir led the team with 105 yards receiving. Deonte Harty returned a punt for a touchdown- it was a complete effort offensively and on special teams.

And then, of course, there is Josh Allen, who continues breaking records almost at a weekly pace. He became the first player in NFL history with 350 passing yards and 65 rushing yards in the same game while completing at least 75 percent of his passes in a regular season game (Patrick Mahomes did it in the playoffs against the Bills in the 13 seconds game). 

And yes, he is going to make some throws that make you yell at your television, he always makes a handful of plays in a game that show why fans will deal with it. He's one of a kind, and so is this Bills' team. In a wide open AFC, they are hotter than anyone in the league, they are deep, and they have an elite quarterback- they are winning the Super Bowl.

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