Buffalo Bills secured second place in the AFC after a convincing 56-26 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Bills Stadium. Although this win now gives Buffalo the opportunity to host several playoff games, the loss to Miami – along with the victories of Cleveland and Baltimore – drastically impaired his chances of reaching the postseason and no longer controlling his destiny as it closes the regular 2020 season.
Although the game ended with 82 points scored, the points were difficult to earn at the beginning, as the Dolphins only managed to make a basket in the first quarter. The second, however, was where Josh Allen – who became the season pass leader in a single season for Bills on Sunday – and the attack really exploded. Buffalo added 28 points in the second quarter, effectively leaving Miami in the dust.
Halfway through the action, Allen completed 18 of his 25 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns, while launching an interception. Two of those pass touchdowns fell into the arms of receiver Isaiah McKenzie, who had three points in total on the day and in the first half. The other came courtesy of an 84-yard punt return that helped Buffalo 18 points, just over five minutes from the end of the break. Matt Barkley ended up replacing Allen in the second half, but Buffalo’s Team B continued to pour on the Dolphins, overtaking them by 28-20 in the last two quarters.
Without Ryan Fitzpatrick to save the day, Tua Tagovailoa was the man who occupied the center during Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins. For the first half, Miami seemed to prevent him from playing for the field, which is largely why they were kept with just six points in the first two quarters. He finished with 361 yard passes, a touchdown pass and three choices.
From here, the Bills will wait to see how the rest of the AFC playoff image will turn out, while the Dolphins hope the Jaguars will see the Colts to take them to the playoffs.