Bills 31, Dolphins 14: Buffalo Racks Up 24 Points In Fourth Quarter

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Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) – Rian Lindell kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal to put Buffalo on top late in the fourth quarter and Ryan Fitzpatrick sealed the victory with a lengthy touchdown pass to Terrell Owens, as the Bills defeated Miami, 31-14, at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Fitzpatrick also ran for a score while completing 17-of-26 attempts for 246 yards with one interception. Owens had 96 yards on five receptions, and Fred Jackson had two rushing touchdowns for the Bills (4-7), who recorded 24 points in the final 15 minutes to snap a three-game skid.

The win was the first for Perry Fewell as interim head coach. The former defensive coordinator replaced the fired Dick Jauron earlier this month.

Chad Henne was intercepted on the Dolphins’ final three drives following the go-ahead boot by Lindell with 3:35 remaining. Henne ended with 175 yards and one touchdown on 17-of-31 efficiency for Miami (5-6), who were looking to extend its winning streak to three games.

Ricky Williams rushed for 115 yards and a score on 27 carries in defeat.

Following the break, Miami orchestrated a drive that covered 83 yards in 16 plays and consumed nine minutes of the clock. The Dolphins faced a 3rd-and-3 from their own 39 and Henne found Lousaka Polite for a 10-yard gain. Later on the march, Miami opted to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the Buffalo 28. Polite bulled his way up the middle to move the chains. A 20-yard completion to Brian Hartline on third down placed the ball at the one. Williams scored two plays later to put Miami up 14-7 with 5:53 left in the third quarter.

Buffalo countered with an equally impressive time-consuming drive of its own to draw even. Fitzpatrick used his legs on two occasions to keep the offense on the field. The Harvard quarterback scrambled for six yards to the Miami 45 on 3rd-and-five. He then picked up eight yards on 4th-and-1 from the 36.

On the next play, Fitzpatrick found Owens for a 12-yard gain near the sideline to end the quarter. A five-yard run and a eight-yard catch by Jackson moved the ball to the three before the third-year running back scampered into the end zone, capping the 13-play jaunt that originated from Buffalo’s own 25 and chewed up seven minutes of the clock.

Buffalo got the ball at the Miami 39 after the Dolphins were forced to punt in the shadow of their own end zone. Lindell’s boot gave the Bills a 17-14 lead.

Drayton Florence then picked off Henne on the ensuing drive. On the first play following the change of possession, Fitzpatrick hit a streaking Owens for a 51-yard touchdown.

The woes continued for Henne as he was intercepted by Donte Whitner inside the two-minute warning. Jackson tacked on a seven-yard TD run with 80 seconds to go.

Bills defensive tackle Corey Mace secured a tipped pass to cap a frustrating quarter for Henne.

Miami had success moving the ball, pounding Buffalo with the ground attack on its maiden drive following a three-and-out by the Bills to begin the game. On first-and-goal, the Dolphins lined up in the wildcat formation. Williams took the direct snap, faking as if he was going to run before dropping back, but his intended toss to tight end Joey Haynos was picked off in the end zone by Chris Draft.

After Lindell missed a 44-yard field goal attempt on Buffalo’s next possession, Henne led the Dolphins on a nine-play, 66-yard march that culminated in a four-yard touchdown pass to Hartline in the early stages of the second quarter.

The Bills tied the game when Fitzpatrick galloped 31 yards down the right sideline for a score with 5:23 remaining in the first half.

Jackson and Fitzpatrick totaled 73 and 50 yards, respectively, on the ground…The Miami defense registered six sacks…Buffalo has won five of its last six against Miami in the month of November…Buffalo hosts the Jets on Thursday…The Dolphins host New England next Sunday.

- Via Sports Network.