ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Tyler Bass has tuned out the doubts, the lingering questions about his consistency and the recent challenge to his job.

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott showed confidence in Bass by sending him for a 61-yard field goal with five seconds left, and the kick was good, giving Buffalo a 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

“It means everything. “Very emotional,” the 27-year-old Bass said of a field goal that was the longest of his career and broke the franchise record by 2 yards. Steve Christie had the previous mark, a 59-yarder in 1993.

“I just remember I love this, I love the sport. This is what I dreamed about and when I was out there,” he added. “I honestly didn’t think about anything. Just went through my process and trusted my preparation. And that was it.”

The kick capped a tense back-and-forth duel between Buffalo’s Josh Allen, who threw three touchdown passes after halftime, and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa. The teams exchanged the lead four times and combined for seven consecutive shots on goal in the second half.

The Bills continued their dominance over the Dolphins by winning the season series. Buffalo (7-2) has won six straight, 13 of 14 and nine straight at home against Miami.

And with their best nine-game start since 2020, the Bills have built a commanding four-game lead over the New York Jets in the AFC East and are seeking a fifth straight division title.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins (2-6) played what they thought was their best game of the season, but lost their third game in a row. They lost for the second straight year on a field goal in the final seconds, following a 28-27 loss to Arizona by Chad Ryland’s 34-yarder as time expired.

“There are no moral victories in this game,” defensive tackle Calais Campbell said. “It wasn’t enough. … It’s heartbreaking, but we just have to use it to motivate ourselves to continue to prepare this week and find a way to get a win next week.”

Tagovailoa lost his second straight start after missing four games with a concussion.

“Hats off to Tyler Bass for doing this. Hats off to their team, they did a great job. It was a great game,” said Tagovailoa, who finished 25 of 28 for 231 yards and two touchdowns. “There are things we could improve on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, but I think we are taking a step in the right direction as a team.”

Miami tied the game one final time when Tagovailoa threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle with 1:38 left to cap an 11-play, 81-yard drive.

The Bills took over at the 30 and their drive was extended by consecutive penalties. Chop Robinson was caught offside on third-and-14 play from the Buffalo 26. On the next snap, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer was charged with unnecessary roughness for hitting receiver Keon Coleman helmet-to-helmet on Allen’s deep attempt down the left sideline.

Buffalo’s drive stalled at the Miami 43 after a spike and two incompletions with 10 seconds left. Not only did the bass split the uprights, but it was long enough to reach the first row of fans in the end zone.

“So proud of him. I’m so happy for him. I got emotional in my little speech after the game just because of the trials and tribulations he’s been through this year,” Allen said. “That’s what stories are made of. And I love him.”

Bass missed an extra point in the third quarter, his third missed PAT of the season, and the Bills signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to their practice squad two weeks ago before releasing him this week. Questions about Bass’ job security date back to last season, when he missed a 44-yard attempt in the final minutes of a 27-24 loss to Kansas City in the divisional playoff round.

“He did it. I didn’t do it,” McDermott said when asked if he felt vindicated for sending out Bass, who has also missed three 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 the little kids out there,” McDermott added. “Here is a player who has been scrutinized damn hard. And we brought a player here in the middle of the season to compete with him and he didn’t back down. … And I couldn’t be more proud of him and what he did today.”

Allen shook off an inconsistent first half. The Bills settled for field goals on two drives inside the Dolphins 20, and on their other trip to the red zone, Allen was intercepted.

After halftime, however, he was almost perfect. Allen capped 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 quarterback-tossed quarterback Quinton Morris. when he was attacked by two defenders.

Standing at the lectern after the game, he summed up the outing with one answer: “Exhale.”

Miami’s De’Vachane finished the game with 12 rushes for 63 yards and a touchdown and had eight receptions for 58 yards and a score. Tyreek Hill rushed for 80 yards for the Dolphins, his most since Week 1 of a frustrating season.

Khalil Shakir had six catches for 50 yards for the Bills, who were light on the running game and relied on Allen to distribute the ball to eight receivers while Amari Cooper was sidelined with a hand injury.

Next

Dolphins: At the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, November 11th.

Bills: Next Sunday in Indianapolis.

——

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl