Bills 30, Dolphins 27: The NFL called for a shootout, but it was Tyler Bass who won the day

Bass is back!

In a game that the Miami Dolphins had to win, and the Buffalo Bills needed to win, a shootout was what the NFL dialed up. But despite two premier quarterbacks, speedy wide receivers, and heavy hitting running backs, it was a kicker that won the day.

Given the chance to set the tone for the game, offensive coordinator called two runs and a pass – all of which left Buffalo short of the first down marker and Sam Martin punting the ball 49 yards. Cam Lewis covered the punt perfectly and knocked the Malik Washington back a yard to the Miami 17.

It took the Dolphins all of two plays to get the first down Buffalo couldn’t muster. But another dropped snap by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa resulted in a seven-yard sack for Greg Rousseau. That set up an eventual 3rd and 11 that Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas knocked away.

Things looked exciting for the Bills as punt returner Brandon Codrington took a high bouncing ball and ran for 19 yards. The Bills’ punt retuner looked like he was taking a play out of Mack Hollins’ book as he ran with only one shoe – having lost one early on the play.

But the Bills couldn’t get anything going and a quarterback sweep on a third and three ends in a 4th and 10. Kicker Tyler Bass, who is on a mission to redeem his early season woes, puts the first points on the board with a 40 yard field goal.

Bills 3, Dolphins 0

In what was a flagless first eight and a half minutes, but then the officials decided it was time to get in on the game. The first flag of the game was on the Dolphins for a false start giving Miami a 3rd and 11. A quick pass to Raheem Mostert and the running back turned up field, saw a defender, lowered his head, and tried to plow through Bills’ safety Taylor Rapp. But instead of a targeting penalty on Miami, it was Rapp that was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Despite the gifted yardage, the Dolphins eventually stalled and were looking at a 3rd and 1. Buffalo EDGE Duwuane Smoot refused to give ground and kept the Miami blocker in the way of the Mostert. Rapp, not forgetting the earlier play, made the tackle for a 1-yard loss forcing the Dolphins to settle for a field goal of their own.

Bills 3, Dolphins 3.

The first quarter ended with the Bills offense on the field, and it looked like things were going Buffalo’s way as they headed down field with ease. But with a first and goal, a well-thrown pass bounced off Keon Coleman’s hands at the goal line and right into Jalen Ramsey’s. Miami answered by running the ball straight through the Buffalo defense. On a drive that saw the Dolphins run the ball 10 times for 64 yards, it was a catch and run to De’Von Achane that gave Miami the lead.

Bills 3, Dolphins 10.

The final 2 minutes of the half turned into the Mack Hollins show. A first down catch followed by a DPI with Hollins the target and the Bills had two first downs. Another defensive holding by Cam Smith as he tried to contain Hollins and another completed pass to Bills number 13, and it appeared that the Bills couldn’t be stopped.

But then Allen went elsewhere for targets. Incomplete to Cook followed by a 2-yard loss on a completion to Shakir made it 3rd and 12. Allen found his wheels though and took the ball to the 11 yard line. An incomplete pass in the end zone came off the books as Dion Dawkins was called for (a very questionable) holding. On 1st & 20, Allen ran 21 for the touchdown. Again, though, the officials wanted to be a part of the game and another yellow flag for a second straight (questionable) holding by the Buffalo offense.

Tyler Bass for his longest field goal since Week 4 – a 49-yarder.

Bills 6, Dolphins 10 at the half.

The second half started looking like it was going to be more of the same from Miami with the Dolphins gaining chunks of yards behind the running of Raheem Mostert. But then Taron Johnson, who looked to be injured in the second quarter but returned to play quickly, punched the ball out of the running backs hand and Kaiir Elam – getting the start in place of the injured Christian Benford – got the first fumble recovery of his career.

Gifted with the ball at their own 36-yard line, Josh Allen came out throwing. Two quick passes to his tight ends and then Buffalo decided to show Miami what being run over feels like. Six of their next seven plays were runs as Buffalo found themselves at the goal line again. With 4th and 1, the Bills offense stayed on the field and Allen hit none other than Mack Hollins in the back of the end zone to finally regain the lead. However, a missed field kick, his third missed PAT of the season and second at home, by Bass and the lead was only two.

Bills 12, Dolphins 10.

More Miami offensive efficiency seemed to be what the Bills were going to get. But then, they buckled down. Until they didn’t. An offside by Von Miller, returning from a four game suspension, gives the Dolphins a new set of downs. After a completion to Hill gets Miami to the 12, Buffalo buckles down and force a field goal – but Bass’s missed kick and Miller’s offside loom big as the Bills trail by one.

Bills 12, Dolphins 13

Buffalo comes back looking like the offense is on a mission and on their second play from scrimmage, Ray Davis had a big 63-yard catch and run for a touchdown. Still looking at that missing point from Bass’s missed kick, the Bills opted to go for 2 – and convert with a pass from Allen to Keon Coleman.

Bills 20, Miami 13.

However, the game had become a shootout now and Miami moved freely to score their own touchdown and even the score again.

Bills 20, Miami 20.

But if a shootout is what the NFL ordered, Allen was going to make it one to remember. He came out slinging the football all around the field. James Cook for an 11 yard catch and run. Keon Coleman for 21. Shakir slips through some tacklers and takes a behind the line of scrimmage pass for 14. A few runs and the Bills have the ball at the 12. Josh Allen missed on a third and six, but defensive holding on former Bill Siran Neal who was trying to cover Khalil Shakir and Buffalo got a fresh set of downs.

On a second and goal, Buffalo came to the line of scrimmage with three tight ends. Everyone knew it was a Josh Allen run. And it was. Until it wasn’t. Allen, while being tackled, saw Quintin Morris cutting across the end zone and hit him for the touchdown. Bass hit the upright on the ensuing kick, but it bounced Buffalo’s way.

Buffalo 27, Miami 20

But this was a shootout. So that couldn’t possibly be enough. And it wasn’t. Some runs, some passes, and Tagovailoa ends the drive hitting Jalen Waddle in the back of the end zone, but Mike McDaniel opted to go for the tie rather than try the 2-point conversion.

Bills 27, Dolphins 27.

With a minute thirty-three on the clock, and the Bills wanting the win, things got tense. Allen was sacked on 1st down. On second, his pass was deflected and the entireity of two franchises held their breath as the ball took forever to come down – falling harmlessly for an incompletion. On third and fourteen, it was time for another former player to gift the Bills. This time it was Jordan Poyer with an unnecessary roughness penalty as he was called for helmet to helmet contact on Allen’s intended target – Keon Coleman.

With a fresh set of downs, Allen missed Dawson Knox on first down but hit Mack Hollins for 7 on second. A second pass to Hollins and the Bills had a first down. However, with no timeouts and still short of Bass’s field goal range, things got tighter. A spike and two incompletion and it was time for Bass to become the hero or forever the goat.

With just 10 seconds on the clock and the Bass was asked to kick a 61 yard field goal. Bass had only attempted one 60+ yard kick in his career – a miss – and it was in his rookie year.

But for the man who Bills Mafia – and coaches – have questioned all season, it was the most beautiful kick of his career. It would have been good from 70.

Bills 30, Dolphins 27.