Buffalo Bills (2) – Miami Dolphins (7): 34-31
It was only supposed to be a formality. Underdogs with the highest odds in Wild Cards history, the Dolphins gave some cold sweats to the careless Bills with the ball. Until the last moment, Miami had the opportunity to win.
Ultimately, the talent of the Buffalo playmakers qualifies them for the next round, but it will be necessary to erase the loss of ball to hope for anything in AFC.
The key moment: Kair Elam’s interception in the third quarter
Led for the first time in the match (20-24) after a new turnover from Josh Allen (sack fumble returned for a touchdown), the Bills sink into doubt. Their next two possessions result in a punt, and the shadow of defeat begins to appear.
They need a shock and it’s rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam who takes care of it with a well-felt interception on an underdosed pass from Skylar Thompson. The momentum has once again changed in this match, and this turnover resulted in 14 points for Buffalo, who regained the advantage never to give it up again.
PICKED. Here come the Bills! #SuperWildCard
📺: #MIAvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zCGXBeNnOK pic.twitter.com/ZyPTDCYMdv— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2023
The movie of the game
The Bills start the match with a false step by failing on fourth attempt. A delay in ignition, nothing more, since Josh Allen (23/39, 352 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 3 fumbles including 1 lost) finds his tight end Dawson Knox in the in-goal on an acrobatic reception on the next drive
Two defensive plays and an interception later, and the Bills offense is back on the field. A few receptions from the untenable Stefon Diggs (7 receptions, 114 yards) before delivering a second blow to the head of the Dolphins barely two minutes later, this time on a run from James Cook (12 runs, 39 yards , 1 DT). 14-0, then 17-0.
Opposite, the Floridian attack is apathetic. The running game isn’t working, and Skylar Thompson (18/45, 220 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) is under pressure on every pass. The rookie is also not helped by unfortunate drops from his two stars Jaylen Waddle (3 receptions from 7 targets, 44 yards) and Tyreek Hill (7 receptions from 15 targets, 69 yards).
However, taking advantage of silly mistakes by a Buffalo team completely freewheeling at the end of the first half (kick-off out of bounds, then avoidable interception by Josh Allen, punt return from 50 yards then another interception by Josh Allen), the Dolphins score every time (3 field goals and a converted 2-point touchdown). To the Bills’ 17 points, the Dolphins respond with 17 straight. A breath of fresh air runs through the stadium, incredulous.
History to recover the head to the place, Josh Allen distributes a few laser passes on the last drive and back 54 yards in less than 30 seconds. The Bills are content with the field goal and go back to the locker room with only 3 points ahead. Small consolation.
Back from the locker room, the Dolphins continue to put crazy pressure on Josh Allen and cause a new turnover with a sack fumble from cornerback Eric Rowe returned for a touchdown by Zach Sieler.
Led 20-24, in doubt, the Bills are returned to the place by their rookie Kaiir Elam who intercepts Thompson. Two touchdowns later, works of Gabe Davis (6 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD) and Cole Beasley (2 receptions, 35 yards, 1 TD), the Bills finally seem safe (34-24).
The dolphins still do not want to abdicate, and a nice drive from 75 yards ends with a new touchdown in this game, the seventh, on a race from Jeff Wilson (10 races, 23 yards, 1 TD). Once again, they are in the game (31-34). With their last chance to come back in front, the Dolphins finally end up failing in the fourth attempt, little helped by a rather calamitous clock management, their three timeouts having been taken to avoid the Delay of Game.
Buffalo just has to run out the clock to win, small.
The MVP: Kaiir Elam
The cornerback not only got his team back on track by intercepting Thompson, but he was the defensive rock of the Bills’ end of the game, with two more passes defended, including the Dolphins’ last fourth attempt at Tyreek Hill, admittedly phoned.
The flop: Josh Allen
Yes, the Bills won. Yes, the offense scored 34 points. But the young Bills quarterback refloated the Dolphins to the bottom of the bucket in the first quarter, forcing long passes in cartoonish fashion.
Dropped by his offensive line, it must be said (7 sacks conceded), Allen launched two interceptions and committed three fumbles (only one lost). Against the other giants of the AFC, this kind of performance will be crippling.
The stat: 31
The number of drives accumulated for a match that lasted almost 4 hours, resulting in 65 points. A number that illustrates the many turnovers, but also, paradoxically, the beautiful defensive sequences of each team (6 punts for the Dolphins, 5 for the Bills).
The following
Miami has found colors under the leadership of Mike McDaniel. The first questioning of next season begins with the quarterback. If it looks like the Floridians want to continue with Tua Tagovailoa, the accumulation of concussions is more than worrying. The workforce is steeped in quality The AFC East could be more contested than ever.
On the side of the Bills, we can push a big “Whew” of relief, the pitfall is over. Next week, Buffalo will meet the Jaguars (if the Ravens win) or more likely the Bengals, for a replay of the game canceled after Damar Hamlin’s accident. Regardless of the opponent, it will be necessary to tighten the bolts in defense against very prolific attacks.
