The Dolphins shut down the Bills 20-3 but are eliminated from playoff contention.
By Associated Press
Published December 22, 2003
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Terrell Buckley put the distractions aside to lead Miami to victory.
Leading a stifling defensive effort that included six sacks, Buckley returned an interception 74 yards to spark a 20-3 win over Buffalo on Sunday.
But the Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention when Denver beat Indianapolis 31-17. If Miami beats the Jets and Denver loses at Green Bay, both finish at 10-6. But Miami would lose the tiebreaker based on its 6-6 conference record. Denver is 9-3 in the conference.
The Dolphins did put aside questions that have haunted their past.
So much for critics who have harped on an inability to win on the road in December, and blamed the defense for a porous performance in Monday's 34-27 loss to Philadelphia.
"Everything that was written that gave the guys an opportunity to doubt themselves, that didn't happen," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. "It's a remarkable job that this football team was able to keep its focus."
If there was criticism, Buckley didn't notice.
"I don't care, I don't read, I don't pay attention," Buckley said. "And I wish all the guys would realize that that's just talk."
His reply came on the field.
With the Bills trailing 13-3 in the third quarter and threatening to mount a comeback with the ball on the Miami 29, Buckley stepped in front of Drew Bledsoe's pass and ran it back untouched up the left sideline.
It was one of several defensive contributions. Jason Taylor had 21/2 sacks, giving him 691/2 career to become the team's all-time leader. And Miami limited the Bills to 177 yards, only 49 before Buckley's score.
Chris Chambers scored on a 23-yard reception on the Dolphins' first possession, and two turnovers by the Bills led to Olindo Mare's field goals from 28 and 30 yards.
Miami snapped a two-game losing streak and won on the road for the first time in December or later since closing the 2000 season with a victory at New England, ending a six-game losing streak.
The Bills bumbled their way through the game, an apparent letdown after they were eliminated from playoff contention with a 28-26 loss Dec. 14 at Tennessee.
Bledsoe's struggles continued. He was 12-of-24 for 114 yards passing, the eighth time this season he has failed to break 200. That's a significant drop from last season, when Bledsoe set 10 franchise passing records in his first season with the Bills.
And it's even more discouraging considering the high expectations Bledsoe had for a team hoping to build off last season's promising 8-8 finish.
"Right now I'm so mad. I didn't see the season going this way," Bledsoe said. "I'm trying to figure out what the answers are. I'm so angry right now."
