Dolphins survive 'butt punt' to defeat Charges

Associated Press

September 25, 08:46 PM September 25, 08:46 PM

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida — Thomas Morstead stepped into the center of Miami's end zone, swung his potent proper leg and booted a punt.

Appropriate into the backside of blocker Trent Sherfield.

Just about the butt of a lousy joke ending, the Dolphins held on for the past snicker against the reigning AFC East champions as a substitute.

Miami overcame what was speedily dubbed the "butt punt" by shutting down Josh Allen and the Buffalo Expenses twice in the remaining minutes, strengthening to 3- with a 21-19 victory that finished with Allen desperately striving to spike the soccer on the edge of discipline objective variety.

"I you should not like these shock endings," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated. "But I'm just genuinely, actually pleased for the team because this much I do know: Groups get soccer game titles, and if you are heading to have good results in excess of the extensive haul, you have to have self confidence that regardless of what period can acquire a soccer match for you, can go in advance and do that."

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa briefly still left the activity in the 2nd quarter, returning right after halftime even with appearing to be disoriented by a head damage — the workforce clarified later on that really, he experienced an difficulty with his again. He concluded with 186 yards and a landing move to River Cracraft.

Allen was also scraped up, acquiring X-rays on his suitable hand following the activity soon after banging it on a helmet or facemask. He insisted he was fine just after.

The Dolphins' defense did just adequate to stall Allen 2 times in the fourth quarter, the to start with effort and hard work a aim-line stand that adopted a go-ahead hurrying landing by Miami's Chase Edmonds.

Allen threw incomplete on fourth down from the 2-lawn line, ending a 17-participate in, 8-minute push — and seemingly Buffalo's likelihood for a comeback win.

But then Tagovailoa and the Dolphins went three-and-out, leaving Morstead with tiny space to kick the ball absent.

It wasn't adequate place. The kick clanked suitable off Sherfield and went out the rear of the close zone for a safety — a mishap drawing speedy comparisons to Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's notorious "butt fumble" from 10 many years before. Sanchez ran into the bottom of lineman Brandon Moore, jarring the ball unfastened.

"Woah… remain out of my lane bro," Sanchez tweeted at Morstead.

Allen had about a minute to manual Buffalo into subject intention variety, and did so, but the Charges ran out of time. Isaiah McKenzie tried out for extra yards on a completion from Allen, costing valuable seconds. Dolphins players began celebrating when the clock strike zero with Allen just stepping underneath center.

Payments offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey slammed his headset and began throwing paper and notebooks in the coaches' box when time ran out.

"It was only fourteen or twelve seconds," claimed Dolphins linebacker Melvin Ingram, who had a fumble recovery in the very first 50 %. "You run about, throw the ball. He operates all the way about, that clock is going to down."

Miami took the direct with about 10 minutes still left in the game, scoring a landing to go up 21-17. It was the Bills' first deficit of the year.

Buffalo ran 90 performs when compared to 39 for Miami, outgaining the Dolphins 497 yards to 212.

"You should really acquire those games," Costs coach Sean McDermott mentioned. "We just didn't get care of the ball adequate and arrive away with some takeaways."

On a working day in which Allen concluded a job-substantial 42 passes and concluded with 400 yards, the Expenditures concluded with their least expensive point complete due to the fact a Week 13 last year. Allen also concluded his initial 11 passes for the first time in his occupation. He had landing passes to operating back again Devin Singletary and McKenzie and a fumble in the initial fifty percent that led to a Dolphins touchdown.

The Expenditures have been devoid of quite a few defensive starters, such as starting off protection Micah Hyde, who on Saturday went on hurt reserve with a neck personal injury, and cornerback Dane Jackson, who suffered a neck injuries versus the Titans very last week. The Dolphins' 21 points was the most Buffalo has authorized all time.

"We utilised about everyone we could on the sideline there," McDermott reported.

In the fourth quarter, Miami's Jaylen Waddle caught a 32-yard go alongside the appropriate sideline, then added a 45-lawn reception on 3rd-and-22 to established up Edmonds' eventual landing run.

Way too Hot TO Manage

Several Costs gamers had issues modifying to the South Florida warmth. McKenzie, TE Dawson Knox and T Spencer Brown had been all mentioned with heat health problems. Players went down on the subject with cramps at numerous points in the sport.

"Respiration was rough occasionally. We had some actually, really extensive drives," Allen claimed.

Injuries

Bills: WR Jake Kumerow wounded his ankle in the initially quarter and did not return. ... CB Christian Benford wounded his hand.

Dolphins: T Greg Tiny injured his finger. CB Xavien Howard remaining in the third quarter with cramping. but returned.

UP Future:

Payments: At the Baltimore Ravens following Sunday.

Dolphins: At the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.