FTW... and the AFC East!
The Buffalo Bills’ 2023 season is in the books but there’s one little thing missing. Illustrations. Let’s pretend last year is an actual book, with each game a chapter. It’s up to us to find one play or “illustration” that best shows us the theme of that chapter.
Make sense? I hope so because we’re about to take a look at some plays and vote. Remember, it’s not necessarily the best play we want, it’s the one that best illustrates...
Chapter 17: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Leading up to their Week 18 clash in South Beach, it had been a hard-fought road for the Buffalo Bills. With the world crowning the Miami Dolphins as AFC East Champions quite a bit earlier in the season, the Bills had clawed their way back to make the final week of the 2023 regular season a true showdown. Winner take all for the AFC East.
Offensive setbacks kept popping up at the worst times, which kept the game close. Going into the half down by seven, the defense pitched a shutout after the break while the offense and special teams each contributed a score for the win. For the Bills, that meant claiming the AFC East crown for the fourth season in a row — the second time the franchise accomplished the feat.
Allen’s end zone interception (Q1; 6:08)
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The Dolphins had started with the ball, and the Bills proceeded to take it away with their own opening sequence that barely could have been scripted better for Buffalo. The offense moved the ball close to 80 yards and into scoring position as you see above. A miscommunication by the Bills led to them returning the turnover favor.
Deonte Harty’s punt-return TD (Q4; 14:02)
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Miscues and a defensive slugfest led to a low-scoring contest, and with Miami up by seven as the final quarter started. Another defensive stop by the Bills led to a Dolphins punt. Wide receiver/return man Deonte Harty saw something he liked and took it to the house to tie the game up at 14. With time dwindling, believers in “momentum” would swear it had fully swung in favor of Buffalo.
Bills’ fourth-down try (Q4; 2:00)
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After the return TD above, the Bills’ defense continued their lock-down of the Dolphins’ offense. Quarterback Josh Allen and tight end Dawson Knox connected for a touchdown to take the lead. With Miami out of timeouts and the two-minute warning behind them, head coach Sean McDermott tried to close out the game on the ground rather than try for a long field goal.
Remember Skare’s rule of fourth-down tries. Before the play actually occurs, say how you feel about the decision out loud. That way you can’t backtrack it if the result isn’t what you want. I proclaimed my love for this try and, while I wish the result would have been different, looking back I still love the decision.
That’s a Rapp (Q4; 1:17)
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Against one of the best offenses in the league, Buffalo’s defense had to keep it up for 1:53 longer to prevent a tie or loss. Thanks to safety Taylor Rapp, they only had to hold for 40 seconds.
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