‘He added, “We weren’t very good in the red zone … they had a really good game plan and did what they had to do, but there are also plays we’d like to have back.” Especially a three-play sequence at the Miami 1-yard line in the last two minutes when Allen lost a yard on a run then threw two incompletions, the second a seemingly short-armed throw that bounced to wideout Isaiah McKenzie in the end zone.’
Archives for September 26, 2022
Observations: Staggering run of injuries catches up to Bills in crushing loss to Dolphins
‘Despite the injury hardships, the Bills were in a position to pull out the win with less than 2 minutes remaining, but the offense couldn’t convert. On second-and-goal from the Miami 1-yard line, quarterback Josh Allen was stopped for a loss of 1 yard on a run play. Allen then threw incomplete intended for Diggs on third down – a ball that was almost intercepted. On fourth down, Allen threw incomplete intended for McKenzie.’
Even missing six starters, depleted Bills defense keeps Buffalo in game
‘Despite missing four defensive backs and two defensive tackles, and losing rookie cornerback Christian Benford early in the game, Buffalo’s defense held Miami to 212 yards on just 39 offensive snaps (the Bills ran 90 total plays).’
497 yards of offense results in just 17 points as Bills fail to capitalize on opportunities
‘The offense, even with areas for improvement, seemed to score at will. On Sunday, it slowed, and then stopped.’
Plays that shaped the game: Jaylen Waddle’s big play was a ‘first ever’ in Bills’ McDermott era
‘But when Miami needed one big play – on a third-and-22 situation – Tagovailoa hit Jaylen Waddle on a deep post for 45 yards.’
Three questions: Pondering Bills’ secondary and the threat Dolphins pose
‘The Bills do not need to have a great running game. Josh Allen’s passing is the offensive identity. Allen drives the bus. The Bills have a great passing offense. But the Bills definitely need an efficient running game. Baltimore has a pretty beefy defensive front, too. So this question isn’t likely going away for the near future.’
Dolphins 21, Bills 19: How it happened, stars of the game, key plays
‘The Bills had gone 72 yards and 17 plays, but came up short of a go-ahead touchdown with about two minutes to play. Josh Allen skipped a pass to McKenzie at the right sideline on fourth-and-goal from the Miami 3.’
Report Card: Defense hangs tough, but Bills come up a few plays short against Dolphins
‘Two runs of consequence. That’s what the Bills managed. Granted, that was more than Miami, but it was a struggle for much of the afternoon. Before Josh Allen’s 19-yard gain in the third quarter, the Bills’ longest rush was 6 yards – by wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie. Running back Zack Moss, who had been stuffed for 2 yards on his first two carries of the game, showed good burst on a 43-yard gain in the second half – a career long for the third-year veteran. By and large, though, the running game failed to get much going far too often. At first glance, there weren’t many holes being opened up by a banged-up offensive line. Devin Singletary managed just 13 yards on nine carries. Allen was once again the team’s leading rusher, with 47 yards on eight carries. That’s not ideal. The final numbers – 23 carries for 115 yards, 5.0 yards per carry – look better on paper than what it did during the game.’
Bills lose wild game to Dolphins, several players to injuries in oppressive heat
‘That they nearly won it using players you would normally only see in a preseason game speaks volumes for not only how deep and talented the Bills are, but the rather enormous amount of grit and guts that they have.’
Bills doomed by injuries and miscues despite Josh Allen’s valiant effort against Dolphins
‘The Bills have to figure out a way to run the ball because Allen can’t be asked to throw 63 passes every week, let alone tack on his eight runs for 47 yards. He needs help, and right now, the running game is not doing it.’
Von Miller refused to make excuses for Bills’ loss to Dolphins, so here are 5 we’ll make for him
‘It’s a respectable approach from Miller, who credited the Dolphins for playing a tough brand of football and making big plays on both sides of the ball. But the many excuses available to Miller are important to consider. We decided to lay them out here to better assess the final result.’
Why Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa was allowed back into Buffalo Bills game after head injury
‘“My understanding of the Tua Tagovailoa situation: He tweaked his back in the 1st quarter on a sneak and didn’t miss time,” wrote Rapoport. “After the Matt Milano hit, his back locked up — leading to him wobbling. Into the locker room for a full concussion check. Fully cleared. Now on the field.”’
Josh Allen, injury depleted Bills had their opportunities, but leave Miami with loss (Report card)
‘Offensive Line: D-: The only thing saving this unit from a ‘F’ is the fact that the unit was extremely banged up in-game.’
Five Takeaways: Managing rash of injuries, Bills give one away to Dolphins; Missed opportunities plague Buffalo
‘“I was trying to get out of bounds,” said McKenzie postgame. “I knew [Tyler Bass’] range, so I was trying to get out of bounds and also get up field and also try to get out of bounds. There was nine seconds left, and I was trying to get to the hash, and I kind of got bumped and threw the ball to the ref, and it kind of went down from there. If I could take it back, I would probably just go up field, take it down, put it on the hash myself and then live to fight another down.”’
Sullivan: Bills show championship mettle in scorching defeat
‘It’s not always winning that bonds a great team. Often, it’s when it confronts enormous adversity and has to reach deep down — in this case, deep into its roster — in search of its true competitive soul. It was hard not to be moved by all those backups battling in the Miami heat.’