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Buffalo Bills vs. Dolphins: Highlights, Stats and Reactions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan looks on from the sideline during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills endured a tough road loss vs. the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, bringing their record to 4-3 on the season.

The Buffalo Bills traveled to Miami on Sunday for their third divisional game this season. It was their first meeting with the Dolphins this year, who came into this game 2-4.

The Bills were favored going into this one and gathered a fairly comfortable lead that lasted most of the game. However, they had trouble against the run and it came back to haunt them as they game wore on.

The first half, compared to the second half, was rather boring for both teams. The Bills did what they’ve been doing all year on defense, allowing teams to move between the red zones before limiting them to a field goal. The first quarter saw one field goal from each team.

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Not very long into the second quarter, Tyrod Taylor found an opening in the running lanes and took it home for a 10-yard TD run, bringing the game to 10-3. The Dolphins wouldn’t answer until four minutes were left in the first half, but once again they were limited to a field goal.

The first half ended 10-6 in Buffalo’s favor.

The second half was much more exciting for both teams, shying away from the field goal game and combining for five touchdowns. The first one came halfway through the third quarter when Marquise Goodwin flew through the defense for a 67-yard TD catch from Taylor. However, the Dolphins would answer with a drive that lasted 5:33 and ended in a Jay Ajayi 4-yard TD run.

The third quarter ended 17-14, with the Bills still in control of the lead.

In the final quarter, the Bills looked like they were going to hold on for the victory. Things started to go wrong with 4 minutes left in the game, when Damien Williams of Miami ran the ball for a 12-yard touchdown. A minute and a half later, Ryan Tannehill connected with Kenny Stills for a 66-yard touchdown.

At the two-minute warning, the Dolphins had taken the lead and were up 28-17. Buffalo finished strong in the final drive of the game, which was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Reggie Bush. It was his first touchdown since joining the Buffalo Bills.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Reggie Bush (22) warms up before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, the Dolphins won 28-25 and ended the Bills’ four-game winning streak. It was a tough loss, but much like we proved after the 0-2 start — we can bounce back better than ever.

Let’s take a look at the highlights from the game.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Neville Hewitt (46) grabs Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

With five touchdowns scored in the second half and two deep throws, you know there were some worthy highlights in this one.

Due to the new NFL rule, my options are limited for the highlights. You can thank the NFL for that, but at least we have a few solid plays to look over.

More specifically, we have two plays that the Buffalo Bills‘ did right and two that they did wrong. That’s right, we are bringing you both highlights and lowlights that way you can see both sides of the spectrum.

Well, let’s start with the highlights first.

It was the first touchdown of the game and the only touchdown of the first half, talking of the 10-yard touchdown run by Tyrod Taylor. It occurred with the game tied at 3 points and 12 minutes remaining in the half.

The best part was Taylor even fooled the cameraman on the play. Take a look:

The second touchdown of the game also came from the Bills. However, it was also sadly the touchdown before the Dolphins’ scored three unanswered touchdowns on Buffalo. Let’s not shy away though, this one was a gem.

Similar to what Marquise Goodwin did against Darrelle Revis in Week 2, he uses his pure speed to get past the secondary for a deep touchdown. The result was a 67-yarder from Taylor, giving the Bills an 11-point lead. Here’s the clip:

Unfortunately, now we get to two lowlights in the game.

The first lowlight came at the start of the fourth quarter with the Bills up by a field goal. They pinned the Dolphins at the opposite goal-line and were in good position to stop the Dolphins. However, Jay Ajayi did what he did all game long and saved Miami with a huge run.

Although it wouldn’t result in a score, it was a run that showed the Bills’ biggest weakness on Sunday — their run defense. We will have to figure something out with the Patriots coming up.

Here’s a look at the long run:

Don’t worry, we’re almost done.

The second and last lowlight was the touchdown that sealed the deal for the Dolphins. Up 21-17 with the ball at their 34-yard line, the Dolphins were more interested in getting a first down. However, Tannehill decided to throw into dangerous territory with two Bills’ defenders lurking.

Easily, this ball should’ve been picked off. That didn’t happen, though. Instead, the two players collided and gave Stills an easy, walk-in touchdown. If the Bills stopped the Dolphins on this third down conversion, they could’ve had a better chance at coming back.

Here’s a look:

Next, let’s take a look at the final stats from the game.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Without LeSean McCoy, the Bills had a tough day running the ball and it translated into the passing game as well.

We are going to dive right into it.

Here’s a look at the more notable stats from Sunday’s Buffalo Bills-Miami Dolphins matchup.

Buffalo Bills’ Stats

Passing

Tyrod Taylor: 14/28, 221 yards, TD, 4 sacks, 88.5 rating

Rushing

Tyrod Taylor: 7 carries, 35 yards, TD

Mike Gillislee: 5 carries, 20 yards

Reggie Bush: one-yard TD

Receiving

Marquise Goodwin: 4 receptions, 93 yards, TD, 7 targets

Brandon Tate: 2 receptions, 31 yards, 2 targets

Charles Clay: 2 receptions, 29 yards, 5 targets

Defense

Ronald Darby: 8 tackles, 8 solo

Corey Graham: 8 tackles, 7 solo, 3 passes defended

Lorenzo Alexander: 5 tackles, 5 solo, one sack, 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins’ Stats

Passing

Ryan Tannehill: 15/25, 204 yards, TD, one sack, 99.4 rating

Rushing

Jay Ajayi: 28 carries, 214 yards, TD

Damien Williams: 4 carries, 16 yards, TD

Receiving

Kenny Stills: 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD, 8 targets

Jarvis Landry: 5 receptions, 78 yards, 8 targets

Defense

Kiko Alonso: 6 tackles, 5 solo

Jason Jones: 2 tackles, 2 solo, one sack, one tackle for loss, one QB hit

Cameron Wake: 2 tackles, one solo, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits

Lastly, let’s take a look at some reactions from the Buffalo Bills’ locker room after the game.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A Buffalo Bills fan looks on in the stand before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

It’s always tough to face the media after a loss, but the Bills stayed professional and kept their eyes ahead to next week.

No one likes to lose, but it’s important to avoid dwelling on it and instead figuring out how to avoid it happening next week.

After four straight Victory Mondays, it’s been a while since the Buffalo Bills had a dreadful day-after-Sunday. Here’s what some of the players/coaches had to say after the road loss in Miami.

Head coach Rex Ryan started it off, clearly disappointed in the way he and his team executed on Sunday:

Next up, LeSean McCoy explained a little bit about how his day went. In case you missed it, he was a game-time decision vs. Miami and ended up playing. However, he was ineffective and later left the game due to his hamstring.

Tyrod Taylor, who was looking pretty fly in his green suit, made no excuses for the loss. He had a decent game, throwing and rushing for a touchdown, but failed to make plays when the team needed it most.

When asked about the Jarvis Landry hit on Aaron Williams, which caused the Bills’ safety to leave the game with a head/neck injury, Rex Ryan had a lot to say:

The Buffalo Bills will head back home to Orchard Park for their Week 8 meeting with the New England Patriots. After the Bills shut them out in Week 4, I’m sure both teams will come out swinging early.

Stay strong, BillsMafia.

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