The Bills managed to cling on to defeat Miami 34-31 on Sunday, advancing to the AFC divisional round despite a Dolphin-like scare.
It was a game that many predicted would end in a defeat. Due to injuries, the Fins were down to their third-string quarterback and second-string running back.
And early on, everything appeared to be going as well as one would anticipate for Buffalo. Miami’s defense was shredded in the first quarter by Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Dawson Knox, who had a 17-point lead at one point.
But Skylar Thompson, the Dolphins’ underdog quarterback, kept his team in the game. A few Bills errors reduced the field for Mike McDaniel’s team and gave the Dolphins a chance to mount a comeback.
The game was knotted in no time. While only 18 of his 45 passes were completed by Thompson on Sunday, he still made a few accurate darts that found Miami receivers.
Allen was his usual composed self, except for a momentary meltdown following an interception in the second quarter. He could have been more careful with the ball, and even though Miami’s comeback was built on the back of his three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble), he still made the plays necessary to complete the task.
The AFC’s No. 2 seed didn’t play very well, but it’s all about surviving and moving forward in the postseason. The Bills carried it out.
The Sporting News covered Sunday’s Dolphins vs. Bills game in real-time, scoring updates and highlights.