Bills Blitz Dolphins In 19-0 Win
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are hanging on to playoff hopes despite being shut out 19-0by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. As the Dolphins prepare to play the New York Jets next Sunday, they remain in the case for a wildcard spot along with the Baltimore Ravens, the San Diego Charges and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The loss to Buffalo snapped a Dolphins (8-7) three-game winning streak. They are now in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.
The Dolphins' loss also clinched the AFC East for New England.
Defensive tackle Kyle Williams' second sack knocked Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill out for a few plays because of a left knee injury early in the fourth quarter. Matt Moore took over and provided Miami a short-lived spark by completing a 50-yard pass to Brian Hartline. He followed by throwing an interception to Jim Leonhard.
Buffalo capitalized. Taking over at the Dolphins 48, backup quarterback Thad Lewis marched the Bills 44 yards to Dan Carpenter's 22-yard field goal, making it 16-0 with 6:43 left. Carpenter hit all four field-goal attempts, including a game-opening 45-yarder, against his former team.
Tannehill returned for the next series, only to throw three straight incompletions for Miami's seventh three-and-out. He threw another three incompletions and was sacked on the next drive before giving way to Moore for the remainder of the game.
Moore closed the game by throwing a second interception by Leodis McKelvin.
Tannehill finished 10 of 27 for 82 yards.
The Dolphins crossed midfield only three times and had four drives finish with negative yards. They were shut out for the first time since closing last season with a 28-0 loss at New England, and were swept by Buffalo.
The Bills, coming off a 27-20 win at Jacksonville, won consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 2-3 of the 2012 season.
Buffalo won without rookie starting quarterback EJ Manuel (swollen left knee). And it finished without its top three receivers. Rookie Marquise Goodwin had a right knee injury late in the first quarter. Fellow rookie Robert Woods was ejected for punching safety Reshad Jones in the facemask in the third quarter. Veteran starter Stevie Johnson was excused to be with his family following the death of his mother.
Lewis, who grew up in Miami, finished 15 of 25 for 193 yards and an interception. He improved to 2-2 this season, with both wins coming against the Dolphins. Jackson led a running attack that combined for 203 yards.
Rookie cornerback Nickell Robey had two sacks, while Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes and safety Da'Norris Searcy also had a sack apiece.
For Miami, the seven sacks allowed contributed to a franchise mark: The Dolphins have given up 58 to eclipse their previous worst of 53 set over 14 games in 1969.
The shutout was Buffalo's first since a 23-0 win over Washington at Toronto on Oct. 30, 2011. And it was the Bills' first shutout at Ralph Wilson Stadium since a 21-0 win over Miami on Dec. 17, 2006.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
