5 takeaways from the Bills’ 21-14 win over the Dolphins

nick wojton

Mon, Jan 8, 2024, 5:32 AM·2 min read

The Buffalo Bills have fully circled the wagon.

The Bills (11-6) have handed the Miami Dolphins a Week 18 loss at Hard Rock Stadium by a 21-14 final.

Long the leaders of the AFC East throughout the year, Miami will not be crowned the divisional champs. The Bills ripped it away from the Dolphins (11-6) with the win. It’s the fourth-straight time Buffalo has taken the division.

Here are five takeaways from the Bills’ 21-14 win over the Dolphins:

Oh my injuries

Unfortunately, the highlighted takeaway for both teams was the injury bug that beat up both teams.

Injuries for the Bills included:

LB Tyrel Dodson (v)
OL Dion Dawkins (hand)
TB Ty Johnson (concussion)
WR Gabe Davis (knee)
CB Rasul Douglas (knee)

All did not return to the game, aside from Dawkins.

Josh's mistakes

Quarterback Josh Allen put up 350 yards and threw two passing touchdowns against the Dolphins. The Bills still had luck on their side.

It’s really rare that a team wins when your quarterback turns the ball over three times. Allen had two interceptions and fumbled another time.

Allen has to be better than that in the postseason.

Outbattled Tyreek

The Bills defense allowed Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill to put up some decent yards. Hill had seven catches for 82 yards and did add a touchdown. A solid game, but aside from that, Buffalo’s defense held in a huge way.

The Bills had an early interception by cornerback Christian Benford. Then Buffalo played solid all the way through the game until safety Taylor Rapp iced the win with a second interception.

Miami entered the game averaging 409.2 yards per game and 30.1 points per outing. Both of those led the NFL and you wouldn’t have known that was the case with the way Buffalo’s defense played.

Special teams checks in

(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

At long last, the Bills saw what they’ve long wanted out of their special teamers: A huge, difference-making play. Deonte Harty’s 96-yard touchdown on a punt return changed the entire momentum and tied the game up at 14.

What a play at the perfect time.