Miami Dolphins Prove They Are Contenders With Win Over Buffalo Bills
By Paul Kakert
@edpvideo
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
In a battle for second place in the AFC East, the 5-4 Miami Dolphins and 5-4 Buffalo Bills went head-to-head on Thursday Night Football.
The Bills threw resurgent veteran Kyle Orton against the Dolphins’ young and improving Ryan Tannehill, but it was the defenses that ruled the night for both teams. The game entered halftime with Buffalo holding a 6-3 lead with no touchdowns being scored — similar to the 9-0, no-touchdown lead the Bills held at halftime the first time the teams met back in Week 2.
If either the Bills or the Dolphins are going to challenge the 7-2 New England Patriots for the division title, their defenses are going to make it possible. Both the Bills and the Dolphins rank near the top of the league in defensive stats, and this game featured constant pressure on both quarterbacks.
Mario Williams lived in the Miami backfield and recorded 3.5 sacks on Tannehill, and was always present to force a hurried throw. But it was Tannehill who rose to the occasion to become the difference-maker for the Dolphins. Despite being harassed on a regular basis, Tannehill broke the game open in the second half with two touchdown passes while racking up over 250 yards.
Down the stretch, the Dolphins’ defense slammed the door by continuing to pressure Orton — preventing any last-minute heroics. Orton struggled against the Miami defense all night, and his run of red-hot football came to an end in an important divisional game.
The Dolphins needed a bounce-back game after losing last week in the final minute to the Detroit Lions. This win solidifies them as a contender, and if Tannehill can continue his tough play and smart decision-making, the Dolphins are a complete team on both sides of the ball.
Next up on the schedule is another tough test against the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning. If tonight was a warm up for that contest, the Dolphins are more than ready for the challenge.
Paul Kakert is an NFL and Chicago Bears writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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