Tyler Bass ignored the doubts and questions about his reliability and recent challenges to his position. Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott showed his trust in Bass by having him attempt a 61-yard field goal with just 5 seconds left, and the kick was successful, giving Buffalo a 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
“It means everything. Very emotional,” said Bass, who is 27 years old, about the field goal, which was the longest of his career and set a new franchise record by 2 yards. The previous record was held by Steve Christie, who kicked a 59-yarder in 1993.
“Just reminding myself that I love this, I love the sport. This is what I’ve dreamed of, and when I was out there,” he continued. “I honestly wasn’t thinking about anything. Just went through my process and trusted my preparation. And that was it.”
The kick concluded an exciting back-and-forth game between Buffalo’s Josh Allen, who threw three touchdown passes in the second half, and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa. The teams exchanged leads four times and combined for seven straight scoring drives in the second half.
The Bills maintained their dominance over the Dolphins by sweeping the season series. Buffalo (7-2) has won six consecutive games, 13 of the last 14, and nine straight at home against Miami.
With their best start in nine games since 2020, the Bills have established a strong four-game lead in the AFC East over the New York Jets as they aim for their fifth consecutive division title.
On the other hand, the Dolphins (2-6) felt this was their most complete performance of the season but still suffered their third straight loss. They lost on a last-second field goal for the second week in a row after falling 28-27 to Arizona on a 34-yarder by Chad Ryland as time expired.
“There’s no moral victories in this game,” said defensive tackle Calais Campbell. “It wasn’t enough. … It’s heartbreaking but we’ve just got to use this to bring us together and keep preparing this week and find a way to win one next week.”
Tagovailoa lost his second straight game after being out for four games due to a concussion. “Hats off to Tyler Bass for making that. Hats off to their team, they did a great job. It was a great game,” Tagovailoa said, who completed 25 of 28 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
“There are things we could fix on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, but I think we’re taking a step in the right direction as a team.”
Miami tied the game one last time when Tagovailoa threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle with 1:38 left, finishing an 11-play, 81-yard drive.
The Bills took over at their own 30-yard line and had their drive extended by two penalties. Chop Robinson jumped offside on third-and-14 from the Buffalo 26. On the next play, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer was called for unnecessary roughness after a helmet-to-helmet hit on receiver Keon Coleman during Allen’s deep throw down the left sideline.
Buffalo’s drive came to a halt at the Miami 43 after a spike and two incomplete passes with 10 seconds left. Bass not only made the field goal but also kicked it with enough power to reach the first row of fans in the end zone.
“So proud of him. So happy for him. I got emotional in my little postgame speech out there, just the trials and tribulations that he’s been in throughout this year,” Allen said. “It’s what stories are made of. And I love him.”
Bass missed an extra point in the third quarter, which was his third missed PAT of the season. The Bills signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to their practice squad two weeks ago but released him this week.
Concerns about Bass’ job security have been around since last season, when he missed a 44-yard attempt late in a 27-24 loss to Kansas City in the playoffs.
“He did it. I didn’t do it,” McDermott said when asked if he felt justified for sending out Bass, who has also missed 3 of 15 field goal attempts this year.
“I think it’s a great example of mental toughness. I think it’s a great example of perseverance and resilience. And for young kids out there,” McDermott added. “Here’s a player that was under the microscope pretty darn hard.
And we brought a player in here to compete with him midseason, and he didn’t back down. … And I couldn’t be more proud of him and what he did today.”
Allen overcame a shaky first half. The Bills had to settle for field goals on two drives inside the Dolphins’ 20-yard line, and on another trip to the red zone, Allen threw an interception.
However, he was nearly flawless after halftime. Allen finished three touchdown drives with a 1-yard pass to Mack Hollins, a 63-yard catch-and-run to rookie running back Ray Davis, and a 2-yard TD to Quinton Morris, which he threw while being tackled by two defenders.
He described the game with a single word at the postgame press conference: “Exhale.”
Miami’s De’Von Achane had 12 rushes for 63 yards and a touchdown, plus eight receptions for 58 yards and a score. Tyreek Hill recorded 80 yards receiving for the Dolphins, his highest since Week 1 of a tough season.
Khalil Shakir made six catches for 50 yards for the Bills, who struggled with their running game and depended on Allen to distribute the ball to eight receivers, as Amari Cooper was out with a hand injury.
