The Miami Dolphins strengthened their play-off credentials with a 34-31 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills. Miami rushed out to a 14-0 lead but were pegged back late on. Andrew Franks' field goal took the game to overtime, before the kicker won it late on, with a 27-yard conversion.
In 140 Characters...
Dolphins continue push for the play-offs, surviving Bills comeback to win in overtime. Miami will qualify if Denver lose against the Chiefs.
MVP
Jay Ajayi repeated his week seven heroics with another 205 yards, as well as a touchdown from 32 carries, exploiting their weak run defence.
Game-changer
Andrew Franks made a clutch 55-yard field goal at the end of regulation time, to level the score at 31-31. Franks then became the hero with a 27-yard kick to win it for Miami.
Stat of the night
3 - Not since 2005 has a running back three, 200-yard games in one season (Tiki Barber, New York Giants). Ajayi equalled that feat with his 205-yard performance against Buffalo, adding to previous efforts against the Steelers and Bills, in weeks 6 and 7.
The game
Miami took a first quarter lead, Ajayi leading a nine play drive with 43 yards from six carries, and finding the end zone from two yards out. The Bills had a chance to get on the board, but kicker Dan Carpenter pushed his 47-yard field goal attempt wide.
The Dolphins doubled their advantage at the start of the second quarter, as rookie running back Kenyan Drake found a gap to burst through, sprinting down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown score.
Buffalo got on the score sheet with five minutes to play in the half, as Sammy Watkins made the 38-yard catch at the back of the end zone, managing to get both feet in bounds.
It looked as though the Dolphins might add to their lead before the break, but quarterback Matt Moore threw an end zone interception to Corey White, which effectively ended the half.
However, they got the next score with the opening drive of the third quarter. Moore found Devante Parker running right to left, and the second year wide receiver shook off a weak tackle to stride into the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown.
LeSean McCoy scored on a 19-yard touchdown run to respond for the Bills, but Moore responded with his second touchdown pass of the night, a six-yard toss to Kenny Stills, to give the visitors a 28-14 lead.
Again, Buffalo hit back as Tyrod Taylor found Watkins for a 53-yard gain, before tight end Charles Clay finished the four play drive with an 18-yard touchdown catch.
Miami missed a field goal, and it looked at though Buffalo might capitalise. Clay caught a pass in the end zone but was unable to stay in bounds, before the Bills were denied an apparent pass interference penalty on third down. Instead, Carpenter slotted a 28-yard field goal, to reduce the Dolphin's lead to just four points.
Buffalo took the lead with just over a minute to play, Clay scoring his second touchdown of the night from seven yards out. But it was Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks who made a career-best 55-yard field goal attempt to take the game into overtime.
Miami lost the coin toss, handing Buffalo possession, but after gains by Gillislee and Watkins, Carpenter sent the 45-yard field goal wide right.
Franks made no mistake with his opportunity, kicking a 27-yard field goal at the end of OT to hand Miami their 11th win of the season. The result means that, if the Broncos fail to win against Kansas City on Christmas Day, the Dolphins will return to the post-season for the first time since 2008.
The Bills are now eliminated from play-off contention, and pressure continues to mount on head coach Rex Ryan.