The Heat won the day in Miami, but the Dolphins survived on the scoreboard. Miami beat the Bills 21-19.
The Dolphins hadn’t beaten the Bills since Dec. 2, 2018, with Buffalo winning seven in a row. The victory left the Dolphins as the only undefeated team in the AFC and, as such at 3–0, atop the AFC East.
The Bills went 90 games against the Dolphins’ 39, but only won three points on drives that ended at Miami 34, 11, 20 and 2. Josh Allen had a wide-open Isaiah McKenzie in the end zone in fourth-and-two at the Miami 2 with 1:46 remaining.
He then had his hand examined on the sideline.
That left the Bills trailing 21-17.
The Bills burned their last two timeouts but stopped the Dolphins for a one-yard loss on Miami’s next three plays. The Dolphins kicked the third down and the incompleteness stopped the clock with 1:37 to go.
Thomas Morstead’s punt came out of the back of his protector, Trent Sherfield, and from behind the end zone. The Butt Punt, as it was once dubbed on social media, gave the Bills safety and a field goal to escape with a win.
Morstead bombarded the free kick from 74 yards, however, and the Bills started to their own 23 with no timeout. They arrived at the Miami 41 but couldn’t stop the clock for a placement try.
Allen went 42 of 63 for 400 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed for 47 yards on eight carries. He lost a fumble that led to a Dolphins touchdown, one of three fumbles he had although the only one he lost.
The Bills, however, were hit hard by the Heat, especially in the offensive line.
Tua Tagovailoa, who left late in the first half to be checked for a concussion but returned after halftime, had 13 of 18 for 186 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Waddle had four catches for 102 yards.