Instant analysis, recap of #Bills’ win over #Dolphins:
The Buffalo Bills ended their 2023 campaign with a 21-14 win at the Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo’s victory gives the Bills their fourth-consecutive AFC East crown.
Multiple turnovers slowed both high-powered offenses over a scoreless first quarter. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s opening drive was cut short by a Christian Benford interception. Tagovailoa tried to hit receiver Tyreek Hill deep, but the Bills defensive back cut underneath Hill on the slightly underthrown ball.
The Bills (11-6) offense responded with a solid 12-play drive. However, confusion and chaos occurred as quarterback Josh Allen tried to beat the Dolphins (11-6) pass rush. As Allen retreated, he tossed an ill-advised pass into the end zone. Dolphins corner Eli Apple cradled the pass and Buffalo’s initial drive was instantly stopped.
Allen tossed his second interception on the Bills’ next drive. Buffalo moved into Miami territory but stalled out at the 35-yard line. The Bills took a gamble and went for the fourth-down conversion. Under duress, Allen rolled to his right and chucked a pass into the end zone. Miami safety DeShon Elliott came away with the ball.
The offenses settled in from there.
First, Miami scored on an 11-play drive. Miami utilized the ground game a bit more. Rusher De’Von Achane ran for a 25-yard touchdown. Miami used misdirection and fakes to get the Bills defense off-balance. Achane’s speed and change-of-direction earned him additional yards for his carries.
Buffalo responded with a seven-play scoring drive. The Bills finally saw a big play head toward No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs’ way, as he caught a spectacular 36-yard pass to bring the Bills within a shadow of the goal line. Allen threw a pass that was deflected. Wideout Trent Sherfield tracked the ball and toe-tapped as the ball fluttered toward the back of the end zone.
The Dolphins motored back down the field on a nine-play series. Hill scored on a three-yard touchdown reception. Hill was matched one-on-one against Benford, and Tagovailoa hit the wide receiver on a quick-timing route to give the Dolphins the lead 14-7.
With under two minutes in the half, the Bills moved quickly down the field. Allen was decisive with his passes on the drive. Running back James Cook, however, dropped a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone.
On the final play of the half, Allen found receiver Ty Johnson, who was stopped at the one-yard line. The Dolphins entered the half up by a touchdown.
The second half started in a similar way as the start of the game. The defenses locked down the offenses. Both teams were forced to punt on the initial drives of the second half.
Buffalo’s offense seemed to have something great on their second series of the half. The Bills had a nice mix of play calls by coordinator Joe Brady. Allen had the offense moving methodically down the field. On the 13th play of the drive, Miami defensive tackle Christian Wilkins forced an Allen fumble.
The Bills came away with no points. Special teams shortly after decided to flex their muscle.
Deonte Harty added some juice to the defensive stalemate with an electrifying 96-yard punt return to tie the game.
Buffalo’s defense continued to slow the Miami offense. That included a fumble recovery.
Finally, the Bills inched ahead on the scoreboard.
On a eight-play scoring drive, things culminating with a five-yard reception by tight end Dawson Knox. The drive was aided by two big pass plays: A 26-yard tumbling-backward reception by tight end Dalton Kincaid and a 28-yard Khalil Shakir reception on the sideline. With seven minutes remaining, the Bills lead 21-14.
From there, the defense locked Miami down. Multiple three-and-outs were forced and the game was put on ice by Taylor Rapp. The Bills offense turned the ball over on downs while up a touchdown.
Miami had a chance, but a late interception by Rapp ended it, giving the Bills the win.
Here’s the rest of Bills Wire’s instant recap following a 21-14 win over the Dolphins:
