Bills’ team effort leads to win over Dolphins

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, October 10, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Buffalo Bills
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In a battle of two archrivals, the Buffalo Bills managed to excite their home crowd by outlasting the Miami Dolphins 20-14. Bills' quarterback Kelly Holcomb, making his first start of the season after J.P. Losman was benched, completed 20 of 26 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. Holcomb was poised and calm despite being pressured all day by a solid Dolphins' defense. Holcomb's counterpart, Dolphins' quarterback, Gus Frerotte, did not have such a solid showing. His three interceptions helped lead to the demise of the Dolphins in this game. The worst of those interceptions came with 5:09 remaining in the first half. Miami trailed 17-0 but was threatening inside the Bills' red zone. Frerotte felt the pressure coming and forced a ball into the corner of the end zone that was intercepted by Bills' cornerback Terrence McGee. That play kept the momentum in Buffalo's favor as they maintained their 17-0 lead for the rest of the first half.

Coming into this game, many critics of Bills' coach Mike Mularkey believed that his game plan should include more running plays to Willis McGahee. Mularkey and Bills' offensive coordinator Tom Clements decided to appease the critics as they handed the ball to McGahee 31 times. Although he only gained 86 yards, McGahee did score a key touchdown on the game's first drive that set the tone for the day. McGahee's lack of big yardage could mostly be attributed to the Bills' offensive line and their inability to open up holes. The Dolphins' defense, led by Jason Taylor, Kevin Carter, and Zack Thomas, bullied the Bills' offensive line the entire day. The fact that McGahee struggled made it even more important that Buffalo establish a solid air attack. Bills' receivers Eric Moulds and Lee Evans stepped up, combining for 10 catches, 124 yards, and a touchdown. So far, Holcomb's ability to get the ball to his key receivers is what has separated him from Losman.

For the Miami Dolphins offense, rookie runner Ronnie Brown led the way with 97 yards rushing against the porous Bills' run defense. However, it was his fumble that cost the Dolphins the game on their second to last drive. Brown was stripped of the ball by Troy Vincent inside the Buffalo Bills 15 yard line with 1:39 to play in the game. Bills' cornerback Nate Clements recovered and that was pretty much the game. The Dolphins would receive the ball one more time after that but failed as Frerotte was sacked on the final two plays of the game. For the day, Miami turned the ball over five times and that's just not high percentage football. Besides the McGee interception that was mentioned earlier, Frerotte also managed to throw it to two other Bills, Troy Vincent and Nate Clements. The unmentioned turnover came in the first half when Miami punter Donnie Jones failed to handle a bad snap and was tackled in the backfield.

Even though the Bills' defense intercepted three passes, they had better shore up their pass defense as they surrendered 226 yards, and two touchdown passes to Frerotte. Miami's receiving trio of Marty Booker, Chris Chambers, and Randy McMichael combined for 8 receptions, 162 yards, and a touchdown.

The Bills got positive showings from their offense and defense but their special teams unit deserves a great deal of credit for the victory. Kicker Rian Lindell converted both field goals, including a clutch 47 yarder to extend the lead to 20-14 late in the game. Punter Brian Moorman averaged 50.2 yards per punt, including three that kept Miami inside their own twenty yard line. Pro-Bowl kick returner Terrence McGee added a 54-yard return that set up Lindell's aforementioned clutch kick. And lastly, the Bills' coverage units did a tremendous job. Those units, led by reserve linebackers Josh Stamer and Mario Haggan, add great skill and determination each week. The entire special teams unit realizes that they may not be starters, but that doesn't mean that they can't be instrumental in victory. Bills' special teams coach Bobby April deserves a great deal of credit for assembling such a great group.

To go along with their five turnovers, the Dolphins, led by head coach Nick Saban, were charged with a franchise record 18 penalties. Those penalties cost the team 102 yards and were one of the main differences in the game. Buffalo didn't exactly have an immaculate game as they were penalized 7 times for 63 yards, and they did turn the ball over once. However, anytime you face a team that gives it away five times and takes that many penalties, you should be able to win.

With the victory, the Buffalo Bills improved to 2-3, and 2-0 in the AFC. They will stay home next week to meet their division rivals, the 2-3 New York Jets. As for the Miami Dolphins, they fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the AFC East. They will have the tough task of traveling to Tampa Bay next week to meet the 4-1 Buccaneers.
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