For the first time in recent memory, the Buffalo Bills were the ones putting a team away late in the fourth quarter in their 31-14 win over the Miami Dolphins.
A career-long 56-yard field goal from Rian Lindell put the Bills up 17-14 with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, Chris Kelsay applied heat to Chad Henne, who floated a pass that was picked off by Drayton Florence with 2:43 remaining. Everyone thought the Bills would try and bleed some clock on their possession, but Ryan Fitzpatrick had other ideas. The starting quarterback audibled at the line of scrimmage and threw a perfectly-timed deep ball to Terrell Owens for a 51-yard touchdown to ice the game with 2:31 left. Interceptions by Donte Whitner and Corey Mace sealed the deal.
The Bills' offense was not without their faults on the day, as Fitzpatrick was picked off once and sacked six times. New addition Kendall Simmons had what I'll politely call a rough outing at right guard, giving up two sacks and getting in on the penalty party by jumping offside once.
Fred Jackson got the start in the backfield for the Bills today and picked up 73 yards on 15 carries. Fitzpatrick cemented his status as Buffalo's starter with a big day, throwing for 246 yards and the long touchdown to Owens. Fitzpatrick also started the Bills' scoring by rushing for a 31-yard touchdown on a broken pass play.
Buffalo's defense allowed Ricky Williams and the Dolphins to march down the field early. A Chris Draft interception on an ill-advised Williams goal line pass thwarted the first Miami drive, but Williams amassed 115 yards rushing and a touchdown on 27 carries. Henne was 17 of 30 for 175 yards, including a touchdown pass to Brian Hartline and the three late picks.
The win moves Buffalo to 4-7 on the season and to a short week to prepare for the 5-6 New York Jets. That game will be played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, and will be broadcast on the NFL Network. The Dolphins fall to 5-6 on the season, and this loss severely hurts their playoff chances (which couldn't make me happier).