Buffalo Goes 'Fourth': Big Finish Lifts Bills Over Fins

November 29, 2009 5:59 p.m. EST

Buffalo, NY (AHN) - Through their first 10 games of the year, the Buffalo Bills were outscored in the fourth quarter 109-40.

They turned it around in a big way on Sunday, however, scoring 24 unanswered fourth quarter points to a 31-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Buffalo.

"All we've heard all season is that we fall apart in the fourth quarter," said Bills safety Donte Whitner. 

After Miami took up most of the third quarter with a nine-minute drive, the Bills looked ready for another late collapse. 

The drive culminated with a Ricky Williams touchdown that gave the Dolphins a 14-7 lead. 

"Last week, in Jacksonville, we let it get away," said Whitner.  "Not this week." 

Buffalo responded with a seven-minute drive of their own, giving their weary defense a chance to catch their breath. 

Fred Jackson tied the game with a two-yard touchdown run. 

Special teams contributed the second longest field goal in team history.

The defense intercepted Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne on three straight possessions.

Finally, the offense went for the jugular with a gutsy audible that led to a 51-yard Terrell Owens touchdown.

On their next possession, punter Brian Moorman pinned the Dolphins inside their own two-yard line. 

Buffalo's defense kept them there, allowing Miami just one yard on three plays. 

The resulting field position victory allowed the Bills to survive quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's sixth sack of the day. 

Kicker Rian Lindell converted a 56-yard field goal, the longest of his career and the second-longest in Bills history. 

"That said a lot about Rian," said Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell.  "He missed earlier in the game and had his head down.  I looked him in the eyes on the sideline and said, 'We're going to need you.'  He said, 'I know.'"

Nursing a three-point lead with three and a half minutes left, the Bills defense stepped up.  Buffalo cornerback Drayton Florence picked off an underthrown Chad Henne pass.  Safety Donte Whitner and lineman Corey Mace, signed by the team the night before the game, added picks on the next two Miami possessions.

Rather than kill the clock, the Bills offense decided to stick a dagger in the Dolphins.  On their first play, Ryan Fitzpatrick found Terrell Owens for a 51-yard touchdown strike that gave Buffalo a 10-point lead. 

"Our theme for the week was to be aggressive," said Fitzpatrick, who audibled out of the called play to go deep to T.O.

Owens led all receivers with five catches for 96 yards. 

Fitzpatrick finished 17 of 26 for 246 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Fred Jackson paced the ground attack with 73 yards and two touchdown runs on 15 carries.

For Miami, Henne went 17 of 31 for 175 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. 

Ricky Williams led all rushers with 115 yards on 27 carries. He also threw an interception in the end zone out of the wildcat. 

Buffalo improved to 4-7 and is 1-1 since Fewell replaced Dick Jauron as coach.

Miami's playoff hopes took a hit as the Fins fell to 5-6.