MIAMI -- Just when it looked like the Miami Dolphins' season was on life support after their disheartening loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday had dropped their record to 5-4, they turned it around in a big way and breathed new life to their playoff hopes with a 22-9 victory against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.
There would be no late-game failure this time around. Instead, the Dolphins responded with one of their more impressive wins of the season against a Bills team that had dominated them recently, giving them a much-needed victory in the competitive AFC.
"They beat us these last three times that we played them, really outplayed us in all three of those games, so it felt good to go out there and get a win today," offensive lineman Mike Pouncey said. "I mean, we use all that to add fuel to the fire on the short week of play, and we just made more plays than they did."
Miami's fourth victory in their past five games was a boost for a team that had to find a way to defeat a team that had crushed them in Week 2. Despite their uneven play this year, when they win, they win big, with all six of their victories year decided by double digits and their 13-point margin Thursday tied for their smallest winning margin of the season.
It was a battle between the two defenses in the first half, but once the offense got going in the second half, the Dolphins showed why they deserve plenty of respect around the league by delivering big plays down the stretch. After struggling initially, quarterback Ryan Tannehill responded with a much-improved second-half performance featuring better accuracy and decision-making.
"It's where games are won," wide receiver Brandon Gibson said. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish, and (Tannehill) did a good job of finishing the game."
As the offense got going, the Dolphins defense shut down Buffalo quarterback Kyle Orton and the Bills offense and recorded a safety to help swing the momentum near the end of the third quarter.
"It was huge," defensive tackle Jared Odrick said. "I think it was the turning point in the game. Momentum really just took over and the spirit of the Dolphin was within us."
Miami has not allowed a touchdown in their last two victories. Meanwhile, Buffalo struggled for a second straight game to find the end zone, with just one touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. After an odd first half that consisted of just three Dolphins drives producing just one field goal and two Bills drives that resulted in two field goals, it was time for the Dolphins defense to step up and get the Bills off the field.
"We knew what we had to do on early downs," cornerback Brent Grimes said of their approach to the second half. "We came out and executed. The coaches told us what we had to do and we executed. Coach (Kevin) Coyle had a great plan and we executed in the second half and it worked out well for us."
Overcoming their third-quarter deficit was significant, with two of their four losses this season a result of failing to execute on both sides of the ball late in games. But nothing of substance will be accomplished if they take a step back in their next test on the road against the Denver Broncos. In a crowded playoff race, the Dolphins cannot afford any more setbacks in a season marked with plenty of ups and downs.
"Yeah we just got to keep playing," said running back Lamar Miller, who led the team with 86 rushing yards. "We got to take it one game at a time. We are going to enjoy this win, but we've got to get back to work because we've got the Broncos coming up."
You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.
