Bolts and duds from Bills’ thrilling 30-27 win over the Dolphins

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass quickly went from an idiot to a star after hitting a game-winning 61-yard field goal to give his team a 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

It wasn’t exactly a pretty win after a slow start from Buffalo, as Miami ended the game with more net yards and about four more minutes of possession. However, the only number that ultimately matters in the box score is the… Scoreand when time expired on Sunday, the Bills were ahead in that regard, moving to 7-2 for the 2024 season. So here are the key facts about Buffalo’s Week 9 win.

This is becoming a weekly occurrence as fourth-year defenseman Greg Rousseau continues to put together standout games. Rousseau finished with six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hit in the Week 9 win. He made the most important tackle of the game – he stopped Jaylen Waddle on the last play of the game, sealing the victory for Buffalo.

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A lot can be said about the Bills’ defense; They made the stops when necessary, but struggled to defend the Dolphins’ running backs. Miami ran for 149 yards and a touchdown, while De’Von Achane was second in receiving yards with 59 yards on seven catches and a score. The linebackers struggled in pass coverage against the Dolphins’ backs and tight ends, and Miami was often able to run through the middle of Buffalo’s defensive line; We saw safeties playing in run support far too often on Sunday.

Despite Josh Allen’s interception in the first half, he bounced back well with three touchdown passes in the second half and 235 yards through the air. Allen faced intense pressure from the Dolphins’ defensive line throughout the game and was able to escape for the most part, being sacked only once. Sunday’s game will only continue the talk of Allen needing to be in the MVP conversation.

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Keon Coleman has been on a winning streak in the last two games, but he struggled to score on Sunday. The rookie only managed one catch for 21 yards on two (official) targets. His other goal was for Jalen Ramsey to take the ball away from him for an interception after Coleman bobbled it. He did incur an unnecessary roughing penalty on the final drive to put Buffalo in position for Bass’ game-winning field goal, but that play would have resulted in an injury. Bills fans will have to hope he’s okay as he’ll be needed in the second half of the season.

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