Dolphins 24, Bills 10
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Miami's defense had wished it could generate more turnovers, and it got four early Christmas gifts from Buffalo's offense on Sunday leading to a 24-10 victory.
The Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention by virtue of the Bengals' victory over the Steelers, but the possibility of an 8-8 finish remains alive.
The Dolphins had their first three-takeaway game of the season and converted them into 17 points, two Ryan Tannehill touchdowns passe to Reggie Bush, one of 17 yards and another of 12 yards, and a 45-yard Nate Kaeding field goal. Bush also had a 2-yard touchdown run.
Bush finished with 42 yards receiving on four catches. The last time he had two touchdown catches Dec. 13, 2009 for New Orleans in a game at Atlanta. He also rushed for 65 yards in 19 carries. Tannehill had 130 yards passing, completing 13 of 25 attempts and rushed for 45 yards on four carries.
Buffalo's only touchdown was a 2-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Brad Smith. Rian Lindell added a 42-yard field goal. Fitzpatrick threw for 240 yards passing on 20 of 35.
C.J. Spiller rushed for 138 yards in 22 carries and caught four passes for 35 yards. He had a career-long 62-yard run.
The Bills, who lost their third consecutive game and fell to 5-10, had three turnovers in last week's loss to Seattle. They entered the game with a minus 10 turnover ratio, No. 25 in the NFL, and it fell to minus 14.
For the Dolphins, who won their second game in a row and are now 7-8, it was only the seventh game where the defense has generated a turnover. They entered the game tied for 27th in the league with a minus 12 turnover ratio and saw it improve to eight.
With Buffalo driving toward for the game's first score, Fitzpatrick threw complete to Stevie Johnson from the Miami 25. Sean Smith stripped the ball, and Reshad Jones returned the fumble 24 yards. It was just the third turnover produced by the Dolphin defense in the last 10 games.
The Dolphins converted the fumble into a 7-0 when they drove 62 yards in nine plays. Tannehill threw 17-yards to Bush for the touchdown with 2:54 left in the first quarter.
The Bills cut the margin to 7-3 on a 42-yard field goal by Rian Lindell with 9:48 remaining in the half. It was set up a 62-yard, career best run by C.J. Spiller.
Tannehill's 31-yard run and a 30-yard completion for Rishard Matthews highlighted 65-yard Dolphin drive late in the second quarter that ended with Bush scoring on a 2-yard run with 42 seconds left and a 14-3 halftime lead
On the opening possession of the second half, Fitzpatrick completed a pass to Dion Dickerson. Miami linebacker Karlos Dansby stripped the ball, and safety Chris Clemons recovered.
The Dolphins drove 64 yards with Tannehill throwing 12 yards to Bush on third down from the 8 for a 21-3 lead.
On the Bills' next possession, Cameron Wake recorded his 15th sack of the season as Fitzpatrick fumbled, and Jones recovered.
It resulted in a 45-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding, signed earlier in the week to replace Dan Carpenter who was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. It expanded the lead to 24-3 with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
The Bills' only touchdown came with 8:52 to go when Fitzpatrick threw 2 yards to Brad Smith completing an 80-yard drive. The key play was a 41-yard Fitzpatrick pass to T.J. Graham on third and 13 from the Buffalo 28.
With Buffalo driving for another touchdown late, it was only fitting that it ended when Jones intercepted a Fitzpatrick pass.
NOTES: Spiller, with 173 yards from scrimmage, became the first Buffalo back since Thurman Thomas in 1992 to have 10 games or more with 100 yards rushing and receiving. His 170 yards rushing and receiving give him 1,563 scrimmage yards for the season. He is the first Buffalo back to rush for more than 1,500 scrimmage yards in a season since Travis Henry in 2003. ... Bills TE Scott Chandler suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and didn't return. Depending on it severity, Chandler could be prevented from getting a seventh touchdown pass which would be a team record for tight ends in a season. ... Bills' SS Da'Norris Searcy suffered a groin injury in the second quarter. ... Bills' CB Stephen Gilmore suffered a head injury in the third quarter and didn't return. ... Bills' fullback Dorin Dickerson suffered a right ankle injury in the final minutes. ... For Buffalo, Kyle Moore started for Mark Anderson at defensive end. ... Dolphin CB Sean Smith suffered a knee injury and did not return. ... The Dolphins used Bush and Lamar Miller at the same time with Bush splitting out as a wide receiver. ... For Miami, Marlon Moore started for Davone Bess (back) at wide receiver. Dimitri Patterson started for Nolan Carroll (knee) at cornerback, and Jason Trusnik started at linebacker for Koa Misi (ankle). ... Kaeding had his first field goal attempt as a Dolphin, 46 yards, blocked by Alex Carrington.
