While the Buffalo Bills did win their opening-round matchup with the Miami Dolphins, 34-31, at Highmark Stadium, it was not smooth sailing for most of the day.
Rather, a turnover issue we’ve seen throughout 2022 made an appearance.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen went 23/39 with 352 yards and three touchdowns passing on the day. It was his third career playoff game with at least three passing touchdowns and 300+ yards, which was good for a Bills franchise record.
Yet another type of history was made as well.
Allen threw two interceptions in the second quarter and lost a fumble, however, which the Dolphins collectively converted into 18 total points. The turnover scores all happened during a window between the sixth minute of the second quarter and the first minute of the third quarter.
It was the first time any Bills team in the history of the franchise won a postseason contest despite having more turnovers (3-2) than their opponent. In the past when Buffalo had more turnovers, those games would end in a loss (0-13.)
Buffalo was up 17-0 on Miami at the start of the second quarter, when the Dolphins would score on four possessions before Buffalo put more points on the board. That scoring would continue, resulting in a close finish to a game in which Buffalo had previously built a sizeable lead.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott spoke after the game about the impact those turnovers had.
“I just think overall we’ve got to do a better job at that point, you know, up 17, I think it was 17-zip, and we turned the ball over, so at the end of the day, you turn the ball over, you die, normally, a pretty quick death,” McDermott said during his media session. “I think we had three turnovers, one for a score and then we had the big punt return mixed in there as well, so not very good complementary football.”
Allen led the league in turnovers (19) during the regular season, including a three-turnover game against Minnesota, but his prior numbers in the postseason going into the game included only one interception and one lost fumble.
“The turnovers, they hurt us,” Allen said during the postgame press conference. “Really let them back in the game. Up 17-0 with chances and I give them the ball two times and give them a touchdown, it’s just things you can’t do.”
Whether the turnover plays were a lingering focus or not the rest of the way was another matter, however.
“You can’t focus on that,” Allen added. “The play happened. You gotta move on. I think having the leadership in that offense, whether it be Stef or Mitch or Dion or Rodger, just coming up to me and saying, ‘Forget it, we gotta go.’ And just understanding you can’t let your last play dictate your next play. So, again, gotta be better in those situations, but we were able to find a way.”
The Dolphins made defensive adjustments coming out of the half, but the Bills also adjusted and put up 31 points. Still, Allen sees an opportunity to clean up their play.
“I thought we had some good answers, some really good plays, and, again, some not-so-great ones that we gotta clean up, and that’s on my shoulders.”
The Bills win moves them forward and they’ll next host the Cincinnati Bengals at home for the division-round matchup. For the Bills, winning and moving forward is the focus.
“All that matters is surviving and advancing,” Allen continued. “Doesn’t matter how we win, it’s if we win, and I’m proud of our guys for playing the way they did.”
Bills center and team captain Mitch Morse spoke to both the need to improve while recognizing the Bills accountability.
“I think the biggest thing … is this next week, yes, we did end up with the win and in this league that’s hard, especially in the playoffs,” Morse said. “But we know we need to mitigate those mistakes as much as possible. I thought this team did a very good job not pointing fingers.”
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