The Miami Dolphins defense couldn’t get off the field when it mattered most on Sunday.
The Miami Dolphins defense needed just one stop. Instead, the Buffalo Bills unloaded a 24-point second half to send the Dolphins back to South Florida with their fifth loss in six games.
Rookie defensive end Chop Robinson set the tone with a four-yard sack to start the drive. The next play was an incomplete pass intended for tight end Dalton Kincaid. The game was tied at 27 with just 54 seconds remaining — quarterback Josh Allen and the offense needed 14 yards on third down to keep the drive alive.
My view of Jordan Poyer’s personal foul on Keon Coleman: https://t.co/XMVOQDVZ5C pic.twitter.com/pPTw178ihZ
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) November 3, 2024
Robinson’s offsides penalty handed the Bills five yards. Then, safety Jordan Poyer was called for unnecessary roughness because of a hit on Bills receiver Keon Coleman. The penalty provided Buffalo a fresh set of downs and 15 yards — which would’ve been the drive’s longest play.
“I thought it was a clean play,” Poyer said after the game. “felt like I put my helmet right in his chest. I had a great post break, he went up for the ball and I literally didn’t stop my feet.
“I felt like I hit him where I was supposed to hit him. Apparently, the ref didn’t think so.”
Poyer has recorded 23 tackles, one pass breakup, and three penalties — two for unnecessary roughness and one for a facemask — through seven games with the Dolphins. He was targeted four times in coverage Sunday, allowing two receptions for 16, according to PFF.
Miami, now 2-6, has no margin for error and can’t afford to give opponents extra chances, especially with playoff hopes on life support. Coach Mike McDaniel was in Poyer’s corner on Monday, stating he had the right intention on the play.
“I have no question in my mind that Jordan had the right intent and then it’s a skill to be able to identify a moving target and then adjust your strike zone based upon if they’re jumping or not in a millisecond,” McDaniel said. “So I think his intent was correct; it didn’t surprise me that it got called because there was contact there and I’ll leave it to the league to assess if that’s finable or not.”
