National reactions: Few questioning it now, the Bills are better than the Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills took a lot away from the Miami Dolphins in Week 18.
The Bills (11-6) not only left Miami (11-6) with that victory. Buffalo ended up heading home with their fourth-straight AFC East title and a lot of praise nationally, too.
With that, here is a roundup of national media reactions to the Bills’ 21-14 win over the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium:
Ari Meirov, The 33rd Team
The way Miami lost the AFC East and Buffalo grabbed it:pic.twitter.com/H2WyZZPIIP
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2024
Aaron Schatz, FTN Network
After Week 12, the 6-6 Bills were 5th in DVOA. The 10-1 Eagles were 9th in DVOA.
Advanced metrics work.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) January 8, 2024
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
The Bills started December at 6-6 and out of the playoff picture. They haven't lost since, and go into the postseason as the AFC's second seed, and with their fourth consecutive division title in hand.
Good sign of the strength of the program they've got.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 8, 2024
Steven Ruiz, The Ringer
this is playing out exactly like the early-season Bills-Dolphins game last season
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) January 8, 2024
Bill Barnwell, ESPN
Nice fake screen here from the Bills – this has the effect of picking the defensive back coming over to try and run with the swing, and as the Dolphins recover, Shakir accelerates and gets open to set up the TD. https://t.co/57AFpncL3j
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 8, 2024
Adam Schefter, ESPN
After an up-and-down season, Buffalo now has captured the No. 2 seed. The AFC playoff picture is now set:
1) Ravens (bye + home field)
2) Bills
3) Chiefs
4) Texans
5) Browns
6) Dolphins
7) SteelersWild Card Weekend:
🏈Steelers at Bills
🏈Dolphins at Chiefs
🏈Browns at Texans— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2024
Mina Kimes, ESPN
Josh Allen scrambling past DBs in the open field pic.twitter.com/oJ4Ld2iK3K
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 8, 2024
Mike Golic Jr., Draft Kings
Josh Allen Runaway Train Mode
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) January 8, 2024
Ryan Clark, ESPN
Yea, and then dude does something like that and you see why you live with Josh Allen turnovers! That was big time
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 8, 2024
Big Cat, Barstool Sports
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 8, 2024
Kevin Oestreicher, Ravens Wire
The Ravens cannot play the No. 2 seed Bills or No. 3 seed Chiefs until the AFC Championship
Their Divisional Round opponent will be one of the Texans, Browns, Dolphins or Steelers
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 8, 2024
Jarrett Bailey, USA TODAY
The Bills were 6-6. Left for dead with a gauntlet of the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Dolphins to run through.
They ran through it unscathed.
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) January 8, 2024
Pat McAfee, Pat McAfee Show
Nobody would’ve expected The Bills to win the AFC East before the Kadarius Toney line up situation..
That was also the same week as the “We got your back” moment with Coach McDermott after the article..
Ever since… THE BILLS HAVE BEEN AN ABSOLUTE WAGON
Oh no @bubbagumpino pic.twitter.com/tFYQYMNyPq
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 8, 2024
