The Bills triumphed over the Dolphins in a matchup at the top of the AFC East. Miami has never been able to keep up.
Buffalo Bills (3-1) – Miami Dolphins (3-1): 48-20
A week after a historic outing against Denver, we awaited Miami against their most serious opponents in the AFC East division. With possible offensive fireworks in sight. And if the first half kept its promises, the Dolphins stalled once the Buffalo defense took the measure of the match. Unable to keep up with the pace and contain the game, the Floridians saw the New York armada take the lead and gain momentum.
Because if the Bills were only forced to punt on two occasions, they were able to score eight times to bring the team close to 50 points at the moment.
The slap is stinging for the turquoise, who had produced 70 points the previous week. Josh Allen was imperial, scoring with a pass and a run, Stefon Diggs scored a hat-trick and some magnificent actions, and Buffalo showed its status as a very serious contender in the AFC race.
Six touchdowns to start
From the start of the meeting, the anticipated scenario is put in place: the two attacks enter the foot-to-the-floor part, relying in particular on the tight ends and the running game. If Josh Allen (QB, 21/25, 320 yards, 4 TD, 17 yards and 1 TD on the ground) alerts Gabe Davis (WR, 61 yards, 1 TD) in the paint for the opening score, De’Von Achane (RB, 120 yards, 2 TD) responds tac-o-tac and crosses the line to equalize. No problem for Buffalo. Latavius Murray (RB, 32 yards) tears through the opposing line to escape for 29 yards, before James Cook (RB, 77 yards, 1 TD) finds the in-goal. The first quarter was played at 200 an hour, 14-7 at the change of sides.
But no time to fool around, because the cross-hunting continues. Miami does not encounter any more offensive problems than its opponent. Tua Tagovailoa (QB, 25/35, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) is as precise as ever, he connects with Tyreek Hill (WR, 72 yards) then Braxton Berrios (WR, 54 yards, 1 TD) to advance his squad before Achane plants the double. In response Stefon Diggs (WR, 120 yards, 3 TD) also goes for his receiving touchdown. The first hiccup of the game came in the middle of the second quarter when the Dolphins suffered two penalties that stopped them in their tracks. Suddenly the attacks stopped. Buffalo does not convert its next series and Tua is under blue defensive pressure while Terron Armstead (LT) has to leave the field. The turning point came when Diggs broke two tackles to run 55 yards and also score his double. The break is made, and New York’s defense goes up a notch to impose the advantage. A fumble from Raheem Mostert (RB, 45 yards) is covered on the Florida 30 yards which gives the opportunity to add 3 points. 31-14 at the whistle.
Bills defense crushes the game
Returning from the locker room, Miami tries to recover and return to basics by emphasizing the ground game. Berrios partially reduces the gap, yet the turquoise defense still does not have the solution. Cook escapes 48 yards and offers a new field goal to the locals while the Bills defense puts back pressure. Micah Hyde (S, 5 TKL, 1 PD, 1 INT) offers himself a nice interception at 30 yards which allows the Allen-Diggs connection a new burst of brilliance to further widen the gap.
And the festival continues when Allen escapes to the ground to score in his turn. The Dolphins are at the bottom of the hole, and fail to react even though they have entered the red zone. All hopes of a comeback are dashed. Ten minutes from the final whistle, the game is up. Miami never found the solution, Buffalo progressed quietly and won head and shoulders against a big name in the conference.
