Bills Central

Bills 'Lose Consciousness,' Fight with Josh Allen, Survive Dolphins Scare 34-31: Wild Card Game Log

The Bills and Dolphins matched up against each other on Sunday as both teams hoped to advance from the NFL's Super Wild Card Weekend.

Timm Hamm

The Buffalo Bills hosted the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in the fourth straight playoff appearance and fifth in six seasons under coach Sean McDermott.

And for a moment there, on the way to a challenging 34-31 Wild Card win, Josh Allen's guys "lost consciousness for a little bit.''

What's the context here?

A first-half interception thrown by QB Allen made him fair game for the Dolphins to knock around. ... which Miami's Christian Wilkins (of course) did. And when Morse and the fellas saw their QB involved in what was bordering on a fight?

Well, they fought for him.

“You lose consciousness for a little bit,'' said center Mitch Morse on jumping in. "That's your guy.''

"I love him,'' responded Allen.

How did it all go down chronologically? Follow along!

It's a vastly different story for the visiting Dolphins, who have qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2016 and just the third time since 2001. Miami has not survived past the Wild Card round since a 23-17 overtime win over the Colts in 2000.

Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss his third straight game while he attempts to recover from a concussion, which means Skylar Thompson will most likely get the nod under center.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel made it official on Friday, informing reporters that Thompson will start Sunday at Buffalo.

This season, when subbing for the injured Tagovailoa, the 2022 seventh-rounder from Kansas State completed 60 passes for 534 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

The Bills have won eight of the last nine meetings, and are 8-2 in their past 10 home games in Buffalo against the Dolphins played in December or later.

The Dolphins and Bills split their two regular-season games in exciting fashion: with Miami winning 21-19 in Week 3 and Buffalo taking the rematch 32-29 in Week 15.

Live game updates will appear here after kickoff...

The Dolphins won the toss and elected to defer to the second half.

FIRST QUARTER: Bills 14, Dolphins 0

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Allen goes deep on the first play of the game and overthrows Diggs by a yard, incomplete. PENALTY on MIA-J.Baker, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at BUF 25 - No Play. 

Allen then hits Shakir for a gain of 17 and a first down.

Allen hits Diggs on a crossing route for 14 more.

Singletary runs for two yards on first down, then Cook runs right for a gain of three for a 3rd and 5 upcoming. Allen scrambles left for two yards and FUMBLES the ball out of bounds at the MIA 26. It's 4th and 3.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS to DOLPHINS: Allen throws incomplete to Beasley on the right side. The Dolphins will take over from their own 33.

Wilson runs off right tackle for a gain of one, then Thompson throws incomplete to Waddle deep down the right side. Waddle flat-out dropped the ball. On 3rd and 9, Thompson throws incomplete to Sherfield.

the Morstead punt goes 39 yards to the BUF 27, fair caught by Hines.

Allen throws deep down the right side to Diggs, caught at the BUF 47 for a gain of 20.

Allen hits Diggs again on a WR screen pass on the right side for a gain of two, then Allen is sacked by Baker for a loss of seven. On 3rd and 15, Allen hits Diggs deep on the left side for 54 yards and a first down at the MIA 2.

TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen finds Dawson Knox in the end zone for a six yard touchdown. The extra point is good for a 7-0 Bills lead with 7:57 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 73 yards in five plays and took 3:00 off the clock.

The Bass kick goes through the end zone for a touchback.

Wilson runs off right tackle for two yards.

INTERCEPTION BILLS: Thompson throws short on the left side for Hill, INTERCEPTED by Marlowe at the MIA 33, and returned 10 yards to the MIA 23.

Cook runs up the middle for a yard, then Allen passes incomplete deep across the middle for Diggs. PENALTY on MIA-J.Baker, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at MIA 22 - No Play.

Allen passes short right to Shakir for three, then on 3rd and 1, Singletary runs for two and a first down.

TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Cook runs for 12 yards up the middle for a touchdown. The Bass extra point is good for a 14-0 Bills lead with 5:07 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive off the INT goes 23 yards in four plays and took 2:13 off the clock.

The Bass kick goes through the end zone for a touchback.

Wilson runs off right tackle and is pushed OB at the MIA 31 for a six-yard gain, the Wilson runs up the middle for one and a 3rd and 3. Thompson finds Gesicki for eight yards on the left sideline and a first down.

Thompson throws short to Hill on the right sideline incomplete. 

Timeout #1 by MIA at 03:01 as they had some pre-snap confusion

On 2nd and 10, PENALTY on MIA-T.Armstead, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at MIA 40 - No Play. 

On 2nd and 15, Thompson hits Hill who drops the ball. It would've been a gain of 10. Instead it's a 3rd and 15. Thompson hit Waddle perfectly in stride for what would've been a gain of 25 but White knocks the ball away at the last second.

The Morstead punt goes 43 yards to the BUF 22, where Hines returns it for 11 yards to the BUF 33.

Allen passes incomplete deep down the middle to Davis. Buffalo challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Allen passes deep middle to Davis to MIA 48 for 19 yards.

On 1st and 10, PENALTY on BUF-D.Knox, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at MIA 48 - No Play.

On 1st and 15, Allen hits Diggs for eight, then Cook runs up the middle for no gain. On 3rd and 7, Allen scrambles for eight for a first down.

Allen misses Hines on the left side, then Singletary runs for a gain of eight to the MIA 29.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER: Bills 20, Dolphins 17

Allen hits Diggs for 14 on the right sideline.

Singletary runs for a gain of two, then Allen finds Knox in the end zone for a gain of 13 yards and a touchdown. The play was reviewed and called incomplete as the ball made contact with the ground. On 3rd and 8, Allen is sacked for the second time in the game for a loss of two yards.

FIELD GOAL BILLS: Bass is good from 33 yards for a 17-0 Bills lead with 12:46 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 52 yards in 11 plays and took 4:51 off the clock.

The Bass kickoff goes out of bounds, so Miami will start from its own 40.

Thompson finds Smythe for a gain of 20.

Ahmed runs for a gain of five, then Hill runs an end around for nine yards and a first down.

Thompson misses Ahmed in the right flat as he's hit hard on a blitz, then Thompson is sacked for a loss of nine to bring up a 3rd and 19. Thompson hits Hill for a gain of 20 on the left sideline and a first down.

Ahmed runs up the middle for a gain of one, then Thompson is sacked again for a loss of seven for a 3rd and 16. Thompson misfires to Wilson incomplete.

FIELD GOAL DOLPHINS: Sanders is good from 40 for a 17-3 Bills lead with 7:34 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 38 yards in 10 plays and took 5:12 off the clock.

The Sanders kick goes through the end zone for a touchback.

Cook runs for nine and then for 13 and a first down.

INTERCEPTION DOLPHINS: Allen throws deep down the right side intended for Brown. INTERCEPTED by Howard at the MIA 3, returned 49 yards to the BUF 48. Penalty on MIA-C.Wilkins, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on BUF-M.Morse, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting.

Ahmed rushes off left tackle, caught behind the line for a loss of two, them Thompson hits Hill for a gain of four. On 3rd and 8, Thompson misses Hill on the left sideline incomplete.

FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION DOLPHINS: Thompson finds Wilson in the left flat, who dodges a tackle by Milano and runs for a gain of 13 and a first down.

On first down, PENALTY on MIA-R.Jones, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at BUF 33 - No Play.

On 1st and 15, Thompson hits Hill for five, then Thompson scrambles for two. On 3rd and 7, Thompson throws incomplete to Ahmed. BUF-D.Jackson was injured during the play.

FIELD GOAL DOLPHINS: Sanders is good from 48 for a 17-6 Bills lead. The scoring drive goes 18 yards in eight plays and took 3:46 off the clock.

The kickoff goes to the end zone, returned 30 yards to the BUF 28 by Hines.

Cook runs off left tackle for two.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Allen is sacked at the line of scrimmage on first down.

Timeout #2 by MIA at 01:55

Timeout #1 by BUF at 01:55

Allen passes deep down the middle for Shakir for 54 yards. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Allen pass incomplete deep middle to K.Shakir.

Martin punts 47 yards to the MIA 23, returned 50 yards by C. Wilson to the BUF 27.

Thompson passes incomplete to J. Wilson, then on second down PENALTY on MIA-R.Hunt, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at BUF 27 - No Play.

On 3rd down Thompson misses Waddle.

Timeout #3 by MIA at 1:19

FIELD GOAL DOLPHINS: Sanders is good from 37 for a 17-9 Bills lead with 1:15 left in the half. The scoring drive goes eight yards in four plays and took 17 seconds off the clock.

The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Allen hits Knox short on the right side for 11 yards, then Allen misses Beasley incomplete.

INTERCEPTION DOLPHINS: Allen throws to Beasley, but it's INTERCEPTED by Holland, who returns the ball 29 yards to the BUF 18.

HIll runs off left end for a loss of three, then Thompson hits Ahmed for nine yards, OB at the BUF 9. On 3rd and 1, Thompson hits Hill for two and a first down at the BUF 7.

TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS: Thompson hits Gesicki for seven yards and a touchdown. The two-point conversion is good for a 17-17 tie. The scoring drive after the INT goes 18 yards in four plays and took 20 seconds off the clock.

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Allen passes deep down the right side for Davis for a gain of 33 yards to the MIA 42 with 33 seconds left.

Allen throws the ball away OB, then finds Diggs on the right sideline OB for a gain of four and a 3rd and 6. Allen finds Davis for 17 more to the MIA 21 and a first down.

Timeout #2 by BUF at 00:11

Allen finds Diggs in the end zone and got both feet in but didn't have possession with both feet in bounds. 

Timeout #3 by BUF at 00:07

FIELD GOAL BILLS: Bass is good from 39 yards for a 20-17 Bills lead. with 4 seconds left. The scoring drive goes 54 yards in six plays and took 29 seconds off the clock.

The kickoff goes through the back of the end zone for a touchback.

Thompson throws deep down the right side to Hill incomplete.

END OF THE FIRST HALF

The Dolphins will possess the ball to begin the second half.

THIRD QUARTER: Bills 34, Dolphins 24

The Bass kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Wilson runs off right guard for a gain of one. MIA-D.Smythe was injured during the play.

Thompson passes incomplete on second and third downs.

The Morstead punt goes 50 yards to the BUF 24, returned by Hines to the BUF 30.

FUMBLE RECOVERY - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS: Allen is sacked at the BUF 18 for a loss of 12 yards and FUMBLES the ball, recovered by Sieler at the BUF 5 and carried into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point is good for a 24-20 Dolphins lead.

The kick goes two yards deep in the end zone, returned by Hines 26 yards to the BUF 24. Allen throws to Davis for eight, then Singletary runs for five.

Singletary follows up with a first-down 13-yard run.

Singletary runs for three, then Allen passes incomplete to Knox. On 3rd and 7 Allen misses Shakir in the right flat for a fourth down.

The Martin punt goes 47 yards for a touchback.

Thompson misses Waddle deep down the right side in triple coverage. Waddle had the ball but it was knocked away by Johnson. Wilson runs up the middle for a gain of four. On 3rd and 6, Thompson misses Gesicki.

The Morstead punt goes 44 yards to the BUF 32, fair caught by Hines.

Cook gets stuffed in the backfield for a loss of five, then Allen hits Knox for three. On 3rd and 12, Allen throws incomplete deep down the left side to Diggs.

The Martin punt goes 55 yards to the MIA 15 OB.

Ahmed loses two yards on first down, the Thompson passes to Ahmed for a gain of just two. Thompson was under extreme pressure from the Bills defense. Thompson was ruled down by contact before the throw for a seven-yard sack.

INTERCEPTION BILLS: Thompson passes deep down the left side intended for Sherfield, INTERCEPTED by Elam at the MIA 33.

Allen throws to Davis for a gain of 13.

Allen throws it out of bounds under pressure, then Singletary runs for two. BUF-D.Dawkins was injured during the play. On 3rd and 8, Allen scrambles up the middle for 12 yards and a first down.

TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen throws to Beasley in the left flat who runs into the end zone for a touchdown. The XP is good for a 27-24 Bills lead with 5:18 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive after the INT goes 33 yards in five plays and took 2:11 off the clock.

The kick goes to the MIA 1, returned 23 yards to the MIA 24.

Thompson throws to Hill down the left sideline for 13 yards.

Thomson throws three consecutive incompletions for a punting situation.

The Morstead punt goes 34 yards to the BUF 29. Hines muffs the catch, recovered by Buffalo.

Allen passes to Morris for a gain of 12.

Cook runs up the middle for a gain of four, then Allen passes incomplete to Davis for a 3rd and 6. Allen finds Beasley for a gain of 29 to the MIA 23.

TOUCHDOWN BILLS: Allen throws deep down the left side to Davis for a touchdown. The XP is good for a 34-24 Bills lead with 2:07 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 68 yards in five plays and took 2:07 off the clock.

The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Wilson runs off left end for a gain of four.

Timeout #1 by MIA at 01:21 as the play clock was running out.

Thompson hits Hill for 12 to the MIA 41 OB.

Thompson scrambles for one, then Thompson misses on his next throw to Cracraft. PENALTY on BUF-T.White, Defensive Pass Interference, 8 yards, enforced at MIA 42 - No Play.

Thompson passes incomplete to Long on the right sideline.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER

FOURTH QUARTER: Bills 34, Dolphins 31

Thompson passes short right to Wilson for 14, then hits Ahmed for 12.

Thompson is sacked for a loss of seven yards, then finds Ahmed for 20 to the BUF 11.

Wilson runs up the middle for a gain of two.

Timeout #1 by BUF at 11:44

Waddle runs off right end for eight yards to the BUF 1 and a 1st and Goal.

TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS: Wilson runs up the middle for one yard and a touchdown. Sanders' XP is good for a 34-31 Bills lead. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 11 plays and took 6:14 off the clock.

The kick goes through the end zone for a touchback.

Allen throws incomplete deep down the left sideline, it's batted straight up in the air but no one can come down with it. Allen passes deep to the left again, and misses Davis for a 3rd and 10. Allen is sacked for a loss of three.

Martin punts 48 yards to the MIA 33, returned three yards by C. Wilson.

Wilson runs for no gain on first down, then Thompson throws the ball out of bounds while under pressure. 

Timeout #2 by MIA at 09:19 as the play clock was expiring.

On 3rd and 10, Thompson finds Waddle for his first catch of the day, but he's short of the marker for a fourth down.

Timeout #2 by BUF at 08:31

Morstead punts 52 yards to the BUF 10, fair caught by Hines.

Cook runs off left end for two yards, pushed OB at the BUF 12. Allen passes to Hines for a gain of seven. On 3rd and 3, Allen finds Shakir for a gain of 33 to the 50-yard line. Penalty on MIA-X.Howard, Defensive Holding, declined.

Cook runs for a loss of one, then Allen is sacked at the line of scrimmage. On 3rd and 11, Allen is sacked for a loss of nine and FUMBLES the ball. It's recovered by Buffalo at the BUF 42.

The Martin punt goes to the MIA 14, fair caught by C. Wilson.

Thompson passes incomplete deep down the left side incomplete, then Thompson misses Hill again deep right. On 3rd and 10, Thompson finds  Waddle for 25 yards to the MIA 39 for a first down.

On 1st and 10, PENALTY on MIA-R.Jones, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at MIA 39 - No Play.

On 1st and 15, Thompson throws the ball out of bounds under pressure. Then Thompson hits Waddle for a gain of 14 for a 3rd and 1. Ahmed runs off left guard for no gain. On fourth down, PENALTY on MIA, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at MIA 48 - No Play.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS to BILLS: Thompson throws incomplete to Gesicki with 2:22 left in the game.

Cook runs off left guard for a loss of one.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Singletary picks up four on second down, then on 3rd and 7, Singletary runs for seven yards and a first down. The Replay Official reviewed the first down ruling, and the play was upheld. The ruling on the field stands.

In victory formation, Allen downs the ball for the final play of the game.

BILLS WIN!

***

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