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Bills D delivers in 31-21 victory over winless Dolphins
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Jordan Phillips was the first to admit the Buffalo Bills didn't resemble one of the NFL's best defenses through 2 1/2 quarters against the winless Miami Dolphins.
That changed when the defensive tackle dug in, burst through the Dolphins line and tackled Ryan Fitzpatrick for a 10-yard loss on first-and-goal from the Buffalo 2. One play later, Tre'Davious White made a diving interception at the 2 to spark a second-half comeback in which the Bills rallied from a five-point deficit for a 31-21 win on Sunday.
''We are the best defense in the league and we didn't play like it,'' Phillips said. ''We decided to come back in the second half and do what we do, and that's what we did.''
Though it took nearly three quarters, White put an end to any thoughts of the Dolphins pulling off a Fitz-Magical feat in what would have been a monumental upset for the 17-point underdogs.
White's two second-half takeaways, including a forced fumble in which he punched the ball out of rookie receiver Preston Williams' arms at the Miami 28, led directly to the Bills' slow-starting offense scoring two touchdowns and improve to 5-1 - their best start in 11 years.
White credited Phillips for making the tackle. Not only did it get the crowd going in the midst of a Dolphins' 16-play third quarter-opening drive, it also allowed White to get back on the field in an obvious pass situation.
''I ran rom the sideline and I jumped up with him,'' White said. ''For him to make that play and then we come back the next play and get a takeaway, that's huge.''
After settling for field goals on Buffalo's first three possessions, Josh Allen led a pair of touchdown drives, capped by 20-yard and 3-yard passes to John Brown and Cole Beasley.
And it took safety Micah Hyde to seal the win with 1:38 remaining by returning an onside kick 45 yards for a touchdown, one play after Fitzpatrick scored on an 11-yard run.
''It took a while into the second half for us to make some plays, but fortunately enough we did,'' Hyde said. ''I'll take an ugly win over an ugly loss.''
The Dolphins' so-called FitzMagic finally ran out in a game the 15-year journeyman put a real scare into one of his seven former teams.
Fitzpatrick put the Dolphins ahead 14-9 by leading consecutive 75-yard touchdown drives. Kalen Ballage put Miami up 7-6 by scoring on a 3-yard run, and Fitzpatrick hit DeVante Parker for a 12-yard touchdown catch with 5:51 remaining in the half.
He didn't let up in cutting the Bills lead to 24-21 with his touchdown scamper.
By the time it was over, the 36-year-old oversaw an offense that ended Buffalo's six-game streak of not giving up more than 17 points. And he finished 23 of 35 for 282 yards to become the first Bills opponent to top 250 yards passing in 14 games.
Though Miami (0-6) is off to its worst start since losing its first seven in 2011, Fitzpatrick's performance was an indication the Dolphins might not be as bad as they looked in being outscored 180-42 over their first five games.
''We've gotten significantly better from Day One to now, and we just have to continue in that trend,'' Fitzpatrick said. ''We haven't won a game. Everybody knows that. But at the same time, we're making strides.''
Fitzpatrick reclaimed the starting job from Josh Rosen a week after leading two fourth-quarter touchdowns drives and coming a 2-point conversion short in a 17-16 loss to Washington.
First-year Dolphins coach Brian Flores credited Fitzpatrick for playing well, and said he's earned the opportunity to start next week.
Allen finished 16 of 26 for 202 yards and produced his third fourth-quarter comeback this season, and fifth overall. His touchdown pass to Brown capped a 12-play, 98-yard drive that followed White's interception.
Coach Sean McDermott credited his players for having mental toughness for pulling out the win.
''You could see the look in their eyes at halftime that they were disappointed in themselves and what had unfolded,'' McDermott said. ''And they were convinced they had to do something about it.''
EARLY EXIT
Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was ejected for throwing a punch at Buffalo Bills tackle Cody Ford on the second snap from scrimmage.
''I was just really, extremely selfish,'' Wilkins said. ''That's not something I'm proud of, that's not something I intended on doing coming into this game. I just really let myself down and the team down more importantly.''
FAKE FIELD GOAL
White's interception came two plays after Miami successfully ran a fake field goal on fourth-and-1 from the Buffalo 4. Holder Matt Haack caught the snap and then scampered for a 2-yard gain.
INJURIES
Dolphins: OT J'Marcus Webb sustained a leg injury in the fourth quarter. G Shaq Calhoun left the game with an illness.
Bills: WR Duke Williams did not return after hurting his right shoulder. CB Kevin Johnson did not return because of a head injury.
UP NEXT
Dolphins: Prime-time game at Pittsburgh Oct. 28.
Bills: Host Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 27.
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Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | 33:31 | 26:29 |
1st Downs | 24 | 17 |
Rushing | 8 | 5 |
Passing | 13 | 10 |
Penalty | 3 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 7-13 | 3-10 |
4th Down Conv | 2-2 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 381 | 305 |
Total Plays | 66 | 51 |
Avg Gain | 5.8 | 6.0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 109 | 117 |
Rush Attempts | 30 | 23 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.6 | 5.1 |
Net Yards Passing | 272 | 188 |
Comp. - Att. | 23-35 | 16-26 |
Yards Per Pass | 7.8 | 7.2 |
Penalties - Yards | 6-55 | 9-83 |
Touchdowns | 3 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 2 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 2 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 3-1 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 4-38.5 | 3-36.0 |
Return Yards | 31 | 67 |
Punts - Returns | 1-19 | 3-22 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 1-12 | 1-45 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 3-4 -75% | 1-2 -50% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-1 -0% | 1-1 -100% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
R. Fitzpatrick
14 QB
22 FPTS
|
R. Fitzpatrick | 23/35 | 282 | 1 | 1 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Wilson
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
A. Wilson | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. Walton
22 RB
6 FPTS
|
M. Walton | 14 | 66 | 0 | 19 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Drake
32 RB
5 FPTS
|
K. Drake | 6 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Fitzpatrick
14 QB
22 FPTS
|
R. Fitzpatrick | 6 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Ballage
27 RB
6 FPTS
|
K. Ballage | 3 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Haack
2 P
0 FPTS
|
M. Haack | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
P. Williams
18 WR
6 FPTS
|
P. Williams | 8 | 6 | 82 | 0 | 35 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Parker
11 WR
11 FPTS
|
D. Parker | 10 | 5 | 55 | 1 | 14 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hurns
17 WR
5 FPTS
|
A. Hurns | 3 | 3 | 53 | 0 | 27 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Gesicki
88 TE
4 FPTS
|
M. Gesicki | 4 | 4 | 41 | 0 | 17 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Drake
32 RB
5 FPTS
|
K. Drake | 4 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 26 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Wilson
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
A. Wilson | 2 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Ford
84 WR
0 FPTS
|
I. Ford | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smythe
81 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Smythe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Walton
22 RB
6 FPTS
|
M. Walton | 1 | 1 | -8 | 0 | -8 | 6 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
E. Rowe
21 CB
|
E. Rowe | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. McMillan
52 MLB
|
R. McMillan | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Baker
55 OLB
|
J. Baker | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Charlton
96 DE
|
T. Charlton | 3-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Biegel
47 LB
|
V. Biegel | 3-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Webster
31 DB
|
K. Webster | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Harris
90 LB
|
C. Harris | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jenkins
95 DT
|
J. Jenkins | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Lammons
30 DB
|
C. Lammons | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Needham
40 DB
|
N. Needham | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Harris
97 DE
|
T. Harris | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Lewis
24 CB
|
R. Lewis | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wiltz
33 CB
|
J. Wiltz | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Williams
18 WR
|
P. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Eguavoen
49 LB
|
S. Eguavoen | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Godchaux
56 DT
|
D. Godchaux | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McCain
28 SS
|
B. McCain | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smythe
81 TE
|
D. Smythe | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Sanders
7 K
3 FPTS
|
J. Sanders | 0/0 | 0 | 3/3 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Haack
2 P
|
M. Haack | 4 | 49.0 | 0 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Smythe
81 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Smythe | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
P. Williams 18 WR
6 FPTS
|
P. Williams | 1 | 19.0 | 19 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Allen
17 QB
23 FPTS
|
J. Allen | 16/26 | 202 | 2 | 0 | 23 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
F. Gore
20 RB
6 FPTS
|
F. Gore | 11 | 55 | 0 | 15 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Allen
17 QB
23 FPTS
|
J. Allen | 4 | 32 | 0 | 15 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Singletary
26 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Singletary | 7 | 26 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. DiMarco
42 RB
2 FPTS
|
P. DiMarco | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Brown
15 WR
14 FPTS
|
J. Brown | 6 | 5 | 83 | 1 | 24 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. DiMarco
42 RB
2 FPTS
|
P. DiMarco | 1 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
82 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 1 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Knox
88 TE
2 FPTS
|
D. Knox | 5 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Beasley
10 WR
7 FPTS
|
C. Beasley | 6 | 3 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. McKenzie
19 WR
1 FPTS
|
I. McKenzie | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. Gore
20 RB
6 FPTS
|
F. Gore | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Smith
85 TE
0 FPTS
|
L. Smith | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Roberts
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts |