Ajayi rushes for 214 yards to help Miami beat Bills 28-25
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Jay Ajayi tied an NFL record by surpassing 200 yards rushing for the second game in a row, helping the Miami Dolphins rally past the Buffalo Bills 28-25 Sunday.
Ajayi rushed for 214 yards in 29 carries after totaling 204 yards a week earlier in a win over Pittsburgh. He scored on a 4-yard run , and busted a 53-yarder when the Dolphins were pinned at their 3 and trailing in the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins (3-4) used an extra lineman much of the time to clear big holes for Ajayi, who tied the NFL record for consecutive 200-yard games held by O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams.
Miami overcame an 11-point deficit with 16 minutes left to end a four-game winning streak by the Bills (4-3) and beat them for only the second time in their past seven meetings.
With Ajayi sidelined by cramps, Damien Williams carried half the Bills' weary defense into the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown run that put the Dolphins ahead with 3:56 to go. On their next possession, Ryan Tannehill hit Kenny Stills for a 66-yard score that made it 28-17.
Miami recovered an onside kick with 13 seconds left to seal the victory.
Tyrod Taylor threw long to Marquise Goodwin for a 67-yard touchdown that put the Bills up 17-6 midway through the third quarter. The Dolphins responded with a 75-yard drive for their first touchdown.
EMERGING STAR: Ajayi, a second-year pro from Boise State, is the only NFL rusher with a 200-yard game this year. He ran for 187 yards as a rookie and totaled 117 in Miami's first five games this year before his breakout.
GIMPY McCOY: While Miami's ground game clicked, Bills running back LeSean McCoy left in the third quarter after he aggravated a left hamstring injury.
McCoy, ranked second in the NFL in rushing, had been questionable after hurting himself in practice Wednesday. He started, but totaled only 11 yards in eight carries before departing.
ILLEGAL HIT: Bills safety Aaron Williams missed the second half with a head and neck injury when blocked illegally by receiver Jarvis Landry, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Landry led with his shoulder, launched into Williams and hit him high. Williams remained on his back for a couple of minutes before he slowly rose and was led to the locker room.
Landry was penalized earlier in the game for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting.
Williams missed most of last season when he underwent neck surgery following an injury that threatened his career.
EDGE IN STATS: The Dolphins outgained Buffalo 454 yards to 267 and had a 14-minute edge in time of possession, but were hurt by 13 penalties for 116 yards. Two defensive stops by the Bills, who lead the NFL in red zone defense, forced field goals after long Miami drives.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Jim Mello
- Thomas Symonette
- David Meslow
- Tom Hill
- Fred Bryan
- Brad Allen
- Shawn Hochuli
2024 AFC East Standings
Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buffalo | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | 290 | 193 |
Miami | 3 | 6 | 0 | .333 | 147 | 202 |
New York | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | 177 | 214 |
New England | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | 160 | 220 |