As the 12-3 Bills are playing for the two-seed in the AFC, they decided to put their starters on the field against the Dolphins. The problem with that is that the Dolphins have enjoyed quite the defensive turnaround this season.
Per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, Miami came into this game in line to become the first team in at least the last 20 years to finish first in scoring defense (they were dead last in 2019), first in takeaways with 27, and first in third-down defense. They’re also fifth in red zone defense. They were also the only team to force a turnover in every game this season, a streak that continued with Byron Jones’ pick of Allen with 10:48 left in the first quarter.
We'll take that 😏 @Byron31Jump | 📺 @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/k4CVlUzaCn
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 3, 2021
Allen had all the time in the world on the quick pass to receiver Gabe Davis, but Jones did a brilliant job of not only jumping the route, but keeping both feet in-bounds for the interception. The officiating crew originally called it an out of bounds incompletion, but overturned it upon review.
The feisty 10-5 Dolphins will make the playoffs if they beat the Bills, or if the Ravens, Browns, or Colts lose, or if the Dolphins tie and the Ravens, Browns, or Colts tie, or if the Dolphins tie and the Titans lose.
A very good start. The Bills have already clinched the AFC East, and can clinch the two-seed behind the Chiefs with a win, or a Steelers loss to the Browns, or a tie plus a Steelers tie.