Late Buffalo Surge Dooms Dolphins

If the Miami Dolphins want to return to the playoffs this season -- after winning the AFC East last year -- they really have their work cut out for them now. After taking a 14-7 lead into the fourth quarter, the Dolphins were dismantled in the final 15 minutes by the Buffalo Bills and went home 31-14 losers. Most importantly, the Dolphins are now 5-6 and in serious peril of being eliminated from the playoff race quite soon.

Give the home team credit, as the Bills could have easily packed up shop and quit working hard in this one. Instead, two Fred Jackson touchdowns, a 51-yard TD strike from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Terrell Owens and a 56-yard field goal for Rian Lindell helped the Bills to an impressive 24-point fourth quarter.

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Of course, if that seems like a lot of possessions to have in one quarter, there's a reason for that. The Dolphins' final three possessions ended on Chad Henne interceptions and were simply too much for the Dolphins' defense to overcome. The turnovers -- Ricky Williams had thrown a pick earlier in the game -- and the Dolphins' surprising lack of dominance on the ground were the main reasons behind Miami loss.

On the surface, the Dolphins gaining 157 yards on 37 carries (4.2 per carry) looks pretty solid. Williams gained 115 yards on 27 carries and scored a touchdown. However, the Bills entered the game as the 31st ranked run defense in the NFL. They were allowing 4.9 yards per carry and 165.9 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Dolphins entered as one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL. They fell short of their averages and, again, this was against a previously dreadful run defense. The problem is likely that they need a legitimate second threat in the run game (Ronnie Brown is out for the season).

"Our team knew exactly what was at stake when we came in here to play this ballgame,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "We did things, quite honestly, that 3-7 teams do in the fourth quarter. I've got to take responsibility. It's my fault.''

Regardless, the Bills came to play Sunday and got the job done on their home turf. To a man, they played as a team. The 5-catch, 96-yard outing for Owens marks his second good game in a row in working with Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick scrambled 31 yards for the Bills' first score. Jackson had a very good game (15 carries, 73 yards, 2 touchdowns) against a solid Miami run defense. The defense was opportunistic and stepped up their previously shoddy run defense for the second week in a row (they held down Maurice Jones-Drew last week). Even the punter (51-yard average on three kicks) and kicker (aforementioned 56-yarder) came to play.

Lots of credit has to go to new (interim) head coach Perry Fewell, as the Bills have looked a totally different team these past few weeks. There's more effort and harmony on both sides of the ball. They'll look to continue improving next week in Toronto as they square off against the Jets.

The Dolphins will look to pick up the pieces against the division-leading Patriots at home. Crawling back into the playoff picture is a tall enough order, but the Patriots are a much tougher opponent than the Bills -- rejuvenated or not. All things considered, Miami is going to be preparing for 2011 quite soon.