The Buffalo Bills were handed their second loss of the season, as the Miami Dolphins overpowered them with a 25-16 decision in Miami. The Bills were beat in nearly every aspect of the game, giving up 358 total yards to the Dolphins’ offense and giving up four turnovers to a Dolphins defense that limited the Bills to one touchdown the entire game.
The game started on a sour note for Buffalo when they gave up a 46-yard play to Ted Ginn Jr., who would go on to skewer the Bills’ secondary for 175 yards throughout the game. The Dolphins went on to score off a two-yard pass from Chad Pennington to Anthony Fasano. The Bills were only able to answer with a field goal after the Dolphins’ defense stopped them on the goaline to force a fourth-and-one.
Buffalo struggled to get anything going in the second quarter and had to settle for two more field goals by Rian Lindell. Their only notable play came when Keith Ellison recovered a fumble by Ricky Williams, which set up the Bills’ first field goal. With the two field goals, the Bills entered half time with a 9-7 lead.
Marshawn Lynch gave the Bills their only touchdown of the day after an eight-play, 70-yard drive to start the third quarter.
Miami then took complete control of the game and shutout Buffalo for the rest of the day, scoring 10 in the third quarter and forcing Buffalo into their worst fourth quarter yet this season. The Bills would give up four turnovers, eight points and a safety to the Dolphins in the final quarter and seal their division rivals’ win.
Trent Edwards finished the day completing 21 of 35 passes for 217 yards and no touchdowns. Pennington had a much better day completing 22 of 30 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown. Lee Evans finished with 116 yards on seven receptions, while his counterpart on the Dolphins, Ginn Jr., finished with 175 yards on seven receptions.
Joey Porter led an impressive defensive attack that overpowered the Bills all game. Porter alone was responsible for two sacks, while the rest of the defense contributed three forced fumbles, an interception and a safety. The Bills forced two fumbles of their own, but gave up 348 yards including 314 through the air.
With the loss, the Bills move to 5-2 on the season and they now share the top of the division with New England, who picked up a win to move to move to 5-2. The game was the first of three straight divisional games for the Bills. Next week, the Bills face the Jets at home and then they travel to Massachusetts to take on New England in week ten.
Stay tuned to BFR all this week for more coverage on this week’s game.
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