The Buffalo Bills have survived their scare against the Miami Dolphins to move to 5-1 on the season. Lots of questions remain for a team with such a solid record, but a win is a win is a win.
The Tre’Davious White Game
The Bills’ defense was on their heels. Miami was about to take a two-possession lead or make it an 8-point game at worst. In the shadow of his own end zone, Tre White turned the entire game around. His interception at the 2-yard line gave Buffalo a chance. They drove it 98 yards to take the lead. On the next possession, he forced a fumble the Bills turned into 7 more points. It was exactly what the struggling Bills needed and he should be on every national football show this week soaking in the accolades.
First-half defense was worst of 2019
Back-to-back 75-yard touchdown drives, Ryan Fitzpatrick chucking it all over the place, and the running game gashing the Bills’ defense. The team really missed Matt Milano, for sure, and the Dolphins picked on cornerback Levi Wallace during the first half, too. Even in the second half, the Dolphins were moving the ball pretty well on Buffalo’s defense. (Tre White’s pick was on his own 2, remember.)
Cardiac Bills at it again
Man, the Bills just can’t build a lead but man, can they turn on the switch when they need it and Josh Allen, in particular. Allen was 6-for-6 for 73 yards and a TD throw on the go-ahead drive when the team drove 98 yards to take the lead. He was 10/11 with two touchdowns in the second half. A win is a win, but sheesh, needing full-field drives and turnovers to give yourself a chance is stressful.
Dropsies
Dawson Knox has four drops on the year, none more obvious than the wide open 2nd-and-7 pass over the middle that would have put Buffalo first-and-goal in the second quarter. Cole Beasley had a drop in the two-minute drill before the end of the first half. People were ragging on Brain Daboll for his play calls, but catching those passes would have certainly helped.
Touchdowns not field goals
Bills fans were atwitter over Buffalo’s lack of offensive punch in the first half, but they were actually pretty good. Three field goals and one punt before ending the first half, a touchdown drive in the third quarter, a 29-yard drive and a touchdown drive in the fourth before full clock-kill mode. The Bills mostly avoided three-and-outs, but the inability to finish drives left people concerned and Miami still in the game.