I finished recording yesterday but it came a little later in the day than usual. I guess the holiday season just has me running a tad behind on everything. That’s okay because I am my own boss and there’s no real deadline.
Moving on, the Bills avenged their Week 3 loss to the Dolphins and did it in comeback fashion. Buffalo overcame an 8-point deficit in the 4th quarter and kicked the game-winning field goal in the game’s final seconds to win it 32-29.
I am still experimenting with this new way to format this written version, but I am probably going to stick with this through the rest of the year and see how it goes.
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: All I really want is the ball in this guy’s hands and a chance to win the game at the end. For the sake of my blood pressure, hopefully, nail-biters like this one are the exception and not the rule. At halftime, it didn’t necessarily look like it was going to be a close game because the Bills’ offensive efficiency was fantastic.
| Drive # | 1st Play | Comp. | Pass ATT | Pass YDS | Sacks | Sack YDS | Scram. | Scram. YDS | Carries | Rush YDS | Outcome | 1st Down Runs |
| 1 | pass | 2 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Punt – 5 plays | 0 |
| 2 | run | 3 | 3 | 72 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | TD – 4 plays | 1 |
| 3 | pass | 7 | 7 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | TD – 12 plays | 2 |
| 4 | pass | 5 | 9 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | TD – 12 plays | 0 |
| HALF | 3/3 | 17 | 23 | 214 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 36 | 21-13 | 3 |
This is the table I use to catalog drives, so I can see how and where the Bills get their yards and their points. Despite only having four tries, Buffalo scored TDs on three of them and you can see that the final two drives of the 1st half for the Bills were methodical. Most importantly, with Rick Bates out vs Miami again, protections were going to be important because it was one of the things that hamstrung the Bills the most in the first matchup Not only did the Bills not give up a sack in the 1st half, Allen wasn’t forced to scramble when the protection broke down and it allowed him to really pick apart the Dolphins’ secondary.
The TD drive to close out the half was that special brand of Josh Allen magic and it also showed how tough they can be to contain as an offense in general. Miami got hit with defensive holding penalties on three of the final 5 plays of the drive, resulting in no play and moving the ball from the 19 down to the 4-yard line, while keeping the clock in a friendly spot for the Bills. Then Allen rolled right, bought time, and James Cook came off the defender in the endzone for the TD. Things were looking great at 21-13 with the Bills getting the ball back to start the 3rd quarter, but that’s where things got interesting.
| Drive # | 1st Play | Comp. | Pass ATT | Pass YDS | Sacks | Sack YDS | Scram. | Scram. YDS | Carries | Rush YDS | Outcome | 1st Down Runs |
| 5 | pass | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | Punt – 3 & out | 0 |
| 6 | run | 2 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | Punt – 5 plays | 1 |
| 7 | run | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Punt – 3 & out | 1 |
| 8 | pass | 1 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Punt – 5 plays | 0 |
| 9 | pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fumble | 0 |
| 10 | run | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 66 | TD – 7 plays | 2 |
| 11 | pass | 4 | 5 | 40 | 1 | -8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 34 | FG – 15 plays | 4 |
| 2nd HALF | 3/3 | 9 | 16 | 87 | 2 | -12 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 117 | 11-16 | 8 |
Miami made some adjustments, got after the QB a little better, and didn’t allow the Bills to run the ball with the lead to start the 2nd half. In fact, the Bills punted on their first four possessions of the 2nd half and didn’t score at all in the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile, Miami did what they do and gashed the Buffalo secondary for big gains resulting in two TDs on drives of just 3 and 6 plays. One of those was a 67-yarder to Jaylen Waddle who is a real problem. Fortunately, they failed on a 2-PT attempt that kept it at a 5-point game.
The Bills also fumbled on their 5th drive of the half, to start the 4th quarter, after forcing a 3 & out and taking over around midfield. It was on the first play too as Allen stepped up in the pocket while looking way downfield. Fortunately, the Bills’ defense came to play in the 4th quarter and held the Fins to a FG to keep it an 8-point game.
As if it were scripted, the snow began to fall more and more into the depths of the 2nd half as the Bills had their back against the wall. It wasn’t the division, or their season on the line, it was pride and proving that they can beat the guys across the field from them.
Josh dusted off a bit of the magic and put together a 44-yard scamper that set the Bills up at the Miami 13-yard line. You would think he’s exhausted after that crazy run and not going to do it again, but he tacked on a 5-yard run and then embellished a late hit to get the flag. A couple of plays later, he found Knox to make it 29-27. That’s when Allen went Superman-mode to tie it up.
It was very close, but the ball broke the plane and it was tied up late in the snowglobe game that everyone wanted to see. With the snow falling more and more, blanketing the field, the Bills’ defense sensed its opportunity. Miami worked it’s way into Buffalo territory on big gains by Tyreek Hill and a great catch by Cedric Wilson, but rookie corner Kaiir Elam shut down a screen for a loss of yards to help force a punt. That’s when the Bills wound up in the position that I wanted.
Buffalo put together what I think is one of, in not, their best drives of the year. Starting from their own 7-yard line, the Bills went 86 yards and leaned on a steady diet of Devin Singletary after an 8-yard sack almost submarined the whole thing. I’m glad they learned in real-time though. Motor opted not to score the TD and forced the Dolphins to use their last timeout, which allowed the Bills to end the game on their terms. That came in the form of Tyler Bass putting the game-winner through as time expired.
I wanted to put the defensive table in here, but it won’t format correctly. So, the numbers that really stand out here in what was another close game and the 6 passes defended, 3 of which came by Tre White as he continues to get back to where he was prior to the injury. That’s a great sign. Elam also came up huge in a couple of spots including a pass defended of his own 1-on-1 with Tyreek Hill. It was a great sign that he showed no fear vs Hill and was willing to crowd him and play physically. By the end of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him opposite White as a starter.
Buffalo gets a warm-up game against the Bears before the showdown with the Bengals, but that’s a matchup I hope they don’t overlook.
Thanks for reading! I still believe word of mouth is the best way to help, so if you enjoy what I’m doing, please tell somebody. And if you have a comment, I’d love to hear it! Liking, subscribing, and sharing go a long way too. And, as usual, be well, stay safe, and Go Bills!