Bills Keep Playoff Hopes Alive after Trumping Miami

Bills roll past Miami in another home win

As the weather returned to normalcy Sunday, the Buffalo Bills improved their odds of making the postseason for the first time since 1999 with their 24-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins to improve their home record to 6-2 and 8-6 overall on the year.

The Bills started fast out of the gate as they marched down the field on a ten play 81-yard opening drive that concluded with a 4-yard touchdown run by RB LeSean McCoy. Shady became the 30th player in NFL history to surpass the 10,000 career rushing yard mark with 50 yards on 20 attempts and tacked on an additional 46 yards and touchdown on four receptions.

QB Tyrod Taylor again had success against the Dolphins completing 17 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown while adding 42 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Taylor continued to exemplify strong chemistry with TE Charles Clay as he found the big man 5 times for 68 yards en route to a 94.6 passer rating on the day.

Bills defense hinders Dolphins with 3 takeaways

The Buffalo defense played well again by limiting Miami to just 349 total yards and 16 points which represent the 8th time they’ve kept opponents under 20 points this year. The Bills are now 7-1 in games this season when they have accomplished this feat.

QB Jay Cutler, whose play has been notoriously volatile throughout his career, experienced yet another trough in his performance pattern as the Bills secondary was able to capitalize on the opportunity by forcing the gunslinger into three interceptions. Defensive backs Shareece Wright and Jordan Poyer each tallied picks while rookie sensation Tre’Davious White added a third. White now has 18 passes defended which leads all rookies and is tied for first with New Orleans’ Marshon Lattimore with four interceptions.

Buffalo’s playoff hopes were improved with the win

After the victory Sunday, the Bills’ chances of making the playoffs stand at 36%. Should Buffalo win out, their odds of making the postseason would be 96%, although this scenario is highly unlikely given this week’s match up in Foxborough against New England.

Assuming the more likely outcome of a loss to the Patriots on Sunday and a win in week 17 at Miami, Buffalo can clinch a wild-card spot in the following scenarios:

• Baltimore loses to either Indianapolis or Cinncinnati; or
• Tennessee beats the LA Rams and loses to Jacksonville; or
• Tennessee loses their next two, and the LA Chargers finish worse than 9-7

The worst outcome for the Bills’ postseason hopes would be a loss to the Patriots coupled with a Titans loss and wins by the Ravens and Chargers. This scenario would effectively reduce their odds to a mere 17%.

If there is one team to root against, however, it’s Baltimore as a loss on their part most directly improves Buffalo’s odds.

Next: Buffalo Bills: Top PFF grades from MIA @ BUF

Unfortunately for Bills fans, the Ravens’ remaining schedule is very easy as both of their opponents have fewer than 5 wins on the year.