Improved Dolphins done in by mistakes late in loss to Buffalo Bills
The Miami Dolphins competed for four quarters against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in what turned out to be a thrilling contest. That alone is enough to do a triple take the way this AFC East rivalry has gone over the years. Unfortunately, the vastly improved Dolphins still managed to turn a […]
The Miami Dolphins competed for four quarters against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in what turned out to be a thrilling contest. That alone is enough to do a triple take the way this AFC East rivalry has gone over the years.
Unfortunately, the vastly improved Dolphins still managed to turn a late golden opportunity into a gut punch when the clock hit all zeroes. Tyler Bass kicked a 61-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining, as the Bills clipped the Dolphins 30-27.
And it's a situation that could have been avoided without a doubt.
After a sack and an incompletion, Buffalo faced 3rd and 14 with 58 seconds left deep in its own territory. With two timeouts, the Dolphins had a chance to potentially get the ball back and go on a scoring drive of their own.
However, two mistakes undid that possibility. Chop Robinson jumped offsides to bring up 3rd and 9. Josh Allen then lobbed a deep ball in the direction of Keon Coleman, with the ball going through his hands incomplete. However, Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer did his old team a massive favor by spearing Coleman in the helmet with his own helmet just after the ball fell incomplete.
Instead of the getting the ball back, the Dolphins had to continue to defend, and Allen managed to get his team just past midfield before reaching fourth down.
As it turned out, that was all Buffalo would need. Tyler Bass trotted out onto the field and knocked through the ball through the uprights from the midfield logo, sending the Buffalo crowd into a frenzy.
It was a very promising day for Miami's offense. In seven real drives, Miami scored on five of them – three touchdowns, two field goals, a punt, and a Raheem Mostert lost fumble to start the second half. Of course, Buffalo was able to turn Mostert's mistake around on the Dolphins, driving 64 yards in 11 plays to take the lead 12-10.
There's no doubt the Dolphins look like a different team with Tua Tagovailoa back under center, who totaled 231 passing yards with 2 touchdowns. Tyreek Hill is starting to get more involved, totaling 80 yards on 4 catches on Sunday. De'Von Achane is a spark plug anywhere on the field, with 121 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns. Miami's offensive line looked strong in run blocking, as Miami totaled 149 yarsd on the ground on 31 carries (4.8 ypc).
But in the end, Miami simply couldn't avoid the big mistake at the crucial time. And at 2-6, it's now looking like it won't be until 2025 before this franchise can finally take a step forward and win its first playoff game in a quarter century.
Tua Tagovailoa’s weird rant missed the mark, especially given the burden Dolphins fans have borne
Miami’s QB took a not-so-veiled shot at fans this week
