The Buffalo Bills knocked off another AFC East foe, this time defeating the Miami Dolphins with a stunning last-second field goal from Tyler Bass to give the Bills the 30-27 victory.
The game started slowly for the Bills, as the offense struggled to find the end zone in the first half. Buffalo made it into the red zone three times in the first half, but only came away with two Tyler Bass field goals. The Bills made a series of miscues, including penalties, turnovers, and poor playcalling to help Miami keep the end zone clear.
The second half was a bit of a different story for the Bills’ offense. Buffalo scored points on all four of its offensive drives. Mack Hollins, Ray Davis, and Quintin Morris all received Josh Allen touchdown passes.
The game culminated with Tyler Bass’s 61-yard field goal with five seconds remaining in regulation. Special thanks to Jordan Poyer’s personal foul penalty that helped extend the drive after a third-down incompletion.
The kick saved a roller coaster afternoon for Buffalo.
Here is how The Bills Wire graded Buffalo’s performance from Sunday afternoon:
Pass offense: B
Nov 3, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Josh Allen had a solid afternoon, going 25-of-39 for 235 passing yards and three touchdown passes. As usual, Allen did a good job with extending plays and giving his receivers enough time to find some space when plays broke down. The biggest passing play of the game came when Allen threw a swing pass to Ray Davis, who avoided two Dolphins defenders and took the ball to the house for a 63-yard touchdown reception. Allen extended plays to find Mack Hollins and Quintin Morris in the end zone.
Khalil Shakir also had another nice game, catching six passes for 50 yards. Unarguably, Shakir has become the most reliable option in the Bills offense. His ability to make yards after the catch has been quite impressive.
The only gaffe occurred when an Allen pass bounced off the shoulder pad of Keon Coleman. A near touchdown turned into a Jalen Ramsey interception.
Rush offesne: C+
Nov 3, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The running attack left a lot to be desired on the afternoon. While the overall numbers looked all right (19 carries for 94 yards), a few chunk plays helped buoy the overall totals. James Cook, who had a breakout game in the previous meeting against Miami, could only muster 44 yards on 10 carries.
Ty Johnson had a nice 17-yard run, while Cook’s longest run was 14 yards. As the game progressed, Offensive coordinator Joe Brady leaned on the passing attack.
Pass defense: C-
Nov 3, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) makes a tackle on Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was efficient with the passing attack. He made several pinpoint passes that put pressure on Buffalo’s secondary. He concluded the day with a strong 25-of-28 passing game for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
In particular, the Bills struggled with passes to Miami’s running backs. Devon Achane caught eight passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. Raheem Mostert added two receptions for 32 receiving yards.
For the most part, the Bills did limit Miami’s explosive receiving pair of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Hill caught four passes, while Waddle had two on the afternoon.
Rush defense: C-
Nov 3, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Ugh, this was ugly. If Devon Achane could be a bellcow back, the Dolphins would have had no need to put the ball in anyone else’s hands. Achane carried the ball 12 times for 63 yards. His speed was a massive problem for the Bills.
Raheem Mostert added 56 yards on 10 carries.
On multiple occasions, Achane and Mostert were yards deep into Buffalo’s defense before a Bill made contact with the running back.
It feels a bit worse than it might have been because of Achane’s touches in the passing game. Nevertheless, Buffalo’s defensive line seemed a bit overmatched with Achane’s speed.
Special teams: A-
Nov 3, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills place kicker Tyler Bass (2) kicks a 61 yard field goal to take the lead over the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
There was a great deal to like about this time. The obvious moment that put the game into a frenzy was Tyler Bass’s game-winning 61-yard field goal. Bass added two long field goals during the game, from 49 and 40 yards.
Cam Lewis made a great tackle on Sam Martin’s only punt of the game. Brandon Codrington had an impressive 29-yard punt return that he retrieved off a bounce and ran full force down the sidelines into Miami territory.
Bass did miss a PAT, but he did redeem himself quite nicely.
Coaching: B-
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Buffalo’s first-half struggles on offense continued in this game. The Bills entered the red zone on three instances in the first half, only to come away with six points. In fact, the field goal attempts followed several plays in which the Bills offense found itself moving backward.
The second half was much better for Joe Brady and company. Buffalo moved the ball well through the air. All three of Buffalo’s touchdowns were through the air.
Defensively, there probably could’ve been more adjustments to help contain Achane. However, it was a concerted effort to keep Hill and Waddle under wraps. Still, Tagovailoa was nearly perfect on the day, not facing a great deal of pressure from the Bills defense.
McDermott’s decision to go for it on fourth down led to the Bills first touchdown. It was an aggressive and perfect call to get Buffalo ahead on the scoreboard.
