Just after the two minute warning in Buffalo, there was a play that pretty much summed up the day so far for the Dolphins offense.
Driving after a Nolan Carroll interception, the Dolphins faced a third-and-eight in Buffalo territory. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill took a break from barking signals to point out Bills defensive back Nickell Robey creeping up for a potential blitz and wide receiver Brian Hartline made a similar gesture, but no one blocked Robey and Tannehill was sacked for the fourth time in the first half.
The play knocked the Dolphins out of field goal range and Brandon Fields punted for the sixth time of the day. That drive was the best that the Dolphins had put together through the first two quarters as they managed just 56 yards between sacks that continued a season-long trend of poor pass protection in Miami. Tannehill is 9-of-18 for 73 yards and the running game has managed just nine yards, leaving the Dolphins with a lot of work to do if they’re going to remain in control of their own playoff destiny.
Buffalo, meanwhile, has seen Fred Jackson gain six yards a carry and Thad Lewis throw for 143 yards to make the defensive effort stand up.