DANTE LASTING
Assistant Sports Editor
The Buffalo Bills were 17-point favorites going into this game, but did not look like it. They returned from their bye week, but Buffalo did not show up in the game until late in the third quarter. The Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 31-21, but the team was down 14-9 at halftime.
In the first half, the offense led by Josh Allen drove the ball down the field on three of their four drives. On all three drives, they had to settle for field goals. It is better than nothing, but when you face a team with a record like the Dolphins, you have to score early and often.
On the opposite side of the ball, former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had 60 and 70-yard touchdown drives. The Bills had trouble stopping the run and the big plays by the Dolphins in the first half.
After halftime, the Buffalo Bills players, coaches and fans knew that something had to change so they did not get humiliated by the winless Dolphins. That change did not come right away as Miami had a 10-minute drive to start the second half.
Fitzpatrick led the Dolphins down to the two yard line, but it would be Bills corner Tre’Davious White who would come up with the interception and shift the momentum for the rest of the game.
Buffalo started at their two yard line and drove the ball 98 yards for their first touchdown of the game. Josh Allen went 6/6 for 73 yards, threw a touchdown pass to John Brown and ran for the two-point conversion.
For the rest of the fourth quarter, Buffalo had control of the game. They forced a fumble that led to another touchdown pass from Allen to Cole Beasley.
With the Bills up by 10 points, Fitzpatrick knew he would need a big drive to get back in the game. That is exactly what happened. He got the team down to the 11 yard line and was close to being sacked by Jerry Hughes. Fitzpatrick got away and ran the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Dolphins knew if they were going to win the game, they needed to get the onside kick. They kicked it high, and Micah Hyde went up in the air to catch it. He miraculously spun around 360 degrees and ran it 45 yards for the touchdown.
An onside kick has not been returned for a touchdown since 2010, and that play by Hyde sealed the game up for the Bills.
The Buffalo Bills now boast a 5-1 record, which is one of the top in the entire NFL. The Bills will have to improve from this performance and be more consistent in the future if they want to continue winning.
The Philadelphia Eagles come to town this week for the Bills second straight home game. The game is Sunday at 1:00 p.m on CBS.