The Buffalo Bills used a second-half comeback to defeat the Miami Dolphins, 21-14, and win the AFC East.
The Bills are now the No. 2 seed in the AFC, while the Dolphins move to No. 6 in a brutal turn of events as they will have to travel to Kansas City to face the No. 3 Chiefs.
Buffalo will host two home playoff games if they win next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Dawson Knox #88 of the Buffalo Bills runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The game started with big defensive plays for both teams as there were three interceptions in the first four drives before points were scored.
First, it was Tua Tagovailoa finding Tyreek Hill with a deep pass on the left side when Christian Benford caught the pass for Buffalo.
But Josh Allen returned the favor on a crushing drive for the Bills, as Eli Apple won the battle in the end zone on third-and-goal from the Miami 5-yard line. It was a 6:45 course that ended with no points.
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After Allen intercepted another pass, the Dolphins finally managed to seal the points with their own methodical drive.
De’Von Achane, the speedy rookie running back who has added to the lethal offensive weapons in Mike McDaniel’s offense this season, made some Bills defenders miss on his 25-yard touchdown run. However, like the streak of interceptions, the touchdowns began to come.
The Bills responded to Achane’s score, and it was in the craziest way possible.
Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich Story/Getty Images)
On an RPO play, Allen decided to throw the ball on second-and-goal from the Miami six-yard line and attempt to hit the slant Trent Sherfield. But the ball deflected toward the offensive line and flew into the air.
However, no one but Sherfield saw the ball in the air, followed it while keeping both feet in the field, and caught it to the bewilderment of everyone at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins didn’t like losing their lead, and Tagovailoa used Hill to quickly run down the field and score a touchdown to make it 14-7. Hill was the target on a quick out route near the goal line, and after catching him, the speedster did a celebratory backflip into the end zone.
Things were not going well for the Bills to start the second half after a punt on the first drive followed by a wild fumble recovery by Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who simply stole the ball out of Allen’s hand. while they were driving.
Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich Story/Getty Images)
But the momentum immediately changed when Deonte Harty took a Dolphins punt after the ensuing 96-yard drive to the house to tie the game. If the tie wasn’t enough, the Bills got a three-pointer and used it to take their first lead of the night.
Allen worked his way down the field, finding rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid for 26 yards and Khalil Shakir for 28 yards to set things up for first-and-goal from the Miami three-yard line.
Two plays later, Dawson Knox crossed the goal line to score from five yards out, taking a 21-14 lead.
The Dolphins had a chance with 1:53 left after taking advantage of Allen on a fourth-and-1 opportunity following the two-minute warning. But once again, Tagovailoa threw a bad interception, this time to Taylor Rapp, who saw him targeting Chase Claypool the entire time.
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills runs during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The pick sealed the game and despite a difficult regular season, the Bills are first seed in the AFC and looking to make the playoffs.
Looking at the stat sheet, Allen finished 30-of-38 for 359 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 67 yards on 15 carries. Shakir had 105 yards on six receptions, while Stefon Diggs had 87 yards on seven receptions.
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For the Dolphins, Tagovailoa was 17 of 27 for 173 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, with Hill leading all receivers on his team with 82 yards on seven receptions.
