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The Miami Dolphins were down but not out in their match up with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Despite trailing by 11 with 16 minutes to go, the Dolphins were able to come back and pull off a 28-25 win.
Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi was the standout of the day, recording over 200 rushing yards for the second week in a row which tied an NFL record – putting him in the ranks of O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. Ajayi said he didn’t want to be just a one week wonder.
204 Yards.
25 Carries.
2 TDS.@jaytrain23 makes it look EASY. #MiamiDolphins https://t.co/RzO1iYCurZ
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2016
By the end of the first half, the Dolphins had only put up six points on two field goals. A field goal and a 10-yard run by quarterback Tyrod Taylor had the Bills up 10-6. They extended their lead coming out of halftime with a 67-yard touchdown pass by Taylor who connected with Marquise Goodwin.
Ajayi found his way into the end zone with a four yard run after the Dolphins went on a 75 yard drive. They then tacked on a two-point conversion to close the gap to three. Ajayi broke through multiple tackles when the Dolphins were in a tough spot in the fourth quarter. With the ball at their 3, Ajayi ripped off a 53 yard run.
On the next possession, Damien Williams fought his way into the end zone to help Miami the team take a 21-17 lead while Ajayi was sidelined by cramps. Dolphin quarterback Ryan Tannehill secured the win with less than three minutes to go, hitting Kenny Stills deep down field for a 66 yard touchdown pass. Tannehill recorded 204 passing yards and a touchdown on the day.
The Bills had time for one more possession and scored but didn’t have enough to overtake the Dolphins. Buffalo’s head coach Rex Ryan said his team fell due to the Dolphins’ physicality.
They may have been too aggressive at one point. Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry was flagged with unnecessary roughness when he led with his shoulder and hit Bill’s safety Aaron Williams high. Williams rose and was led to the locker room and missed the second half of the game. Landry later apologized for the block.
The win could be the momentum that the Dolphins have been looking for. As a team that started out 1-4, they now are 3-4 heading into the bye week and have a chance to keep it going for the second half of the season.
