:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58188343/usa_today_10508908.0.jpg)
On New Year’s Eve, the Buffalo Bills clinched their first playoff berth in 17 years. They needed a win over the Miami Dolphins in order to keep their hopes alive. The majority of the 5 players we watched made a big impact on taking home the win.
QB Tyrod Taylor
Taylor didn't do anything too special but he was his usual efficient self. He completed 70 percent of his passes for 204 yards and a touchdown to Nick O’leary. The offense at times struggled to move the ball on third down, converting only five out of 12 times and kept the Dolphins in the game. In the end, Taylor’s efforts were just enough to get the job done.
WR Kelvin Benjamin
After somewhat of a breakout game agains the Patriots, Benjamin saw his targets go down. He only had 2 catches for 27 yards, one being an 18-yard reception. Again, the offense sputtered quite a bit and struggled to move the ball. Benjamin was basically a non-factor in this game along with a lot of the rest of the offense.
CB E.J. Gaines
The Bills are now 8-3 in games where Gaines plays. He had a total of 8 tackles and a forced fumble. According to Pro Football Focus, Gaines was targeted 6 times and allowed 4 catches for just 11 yards. Gaines added three pass breakups as well. Gaines has proved that his is as valuable in this secondary as anyone else. The defense as a whole lived by bending but not breaking.
LB Preston Brown
Brown had 12 total tackles and ended the season tied for the most in the league. Brown played well for the most part, he held his own in the run game and wasn't tested too often in the pass where he did a decent job. The Dolphins ran away from Brown for most of the game.
DT Kyle Williams
Williams had 3 tackles on the day and took on double teams as he always does. The highlight of the season and possibly the past 17 years came from a one-yard rushing touchdown from Williams helping the Bills pull away from the Dolphins. In what could have been his last game in a Bills uniform, that was a special moment for Williams, his family and Bills fans from every part of the world. Thankfully, we get to see him play at least one more time.