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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- Like so many times in the past, the showdown
between AFC East archrivals Miami and Buffalo ended with Thurman
Thomas holding a game ball.
|  | | Jay Fiedler was sacked just once by the Bills on Sunday. |
Only this time Thomas provided a spark for the Dolphins rather
than the Bills, and he did it not so much with his running as with
his taunting.
Thomas repeatedly talked trash to his former teammates, and
Miami's defense backed him up with a smothering performance Sunday
to beat the Bills 22-13.
"I'm 1-0 against the Bills. I'm happy," Thomas said. "Once I
strapped it on today, everything I did for 12 years in Buffalo went
out the window."
The Dolphins (5-1), picked by many to finish last in the
division, moved into first place with their fourth consecutive
victory and beat Buffalo for the first time in four meetings.
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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The story of this game was Miami's dominating defense -- which has been the
story for the Dolphins all season.
When you look at the stats, what's impressive is the defense's overall
dominance. The Dolphins had six sacks, recorded a safety and returned a
fumble for a touchdown late in the game to seal the win.
The elements for this potent Dolphins' D were there last year. But this year
the players are more experienced and have been under coach Dave Wannstedt
for another year. The players have also responded very well to some subtle
changes Miami has made defensively.
You have to realize, too, that one of their best defensive players, DT Daryl Gardener, has been hurt.
They're going to be even stronger when they bet him back in the lineup.
Buffalo continued to struggle running the football, so it's no surprise that
Miami dominated the time of posession. Doug Flutie came into the game
late for an injured Rob
Johnson and took the BIls on a drive, but then threw an interception.
Miami QB Jay Fiedler had
another efficient performance. Right now, the way the Dolphins' defense is
playing, they're telling Fiedler, "Don't lose the game by making costly
mistakes." And he's not doing that. Fiedler completed the passes he had to
complete, scrambled effectively and got the ball in the end zone.
The story line has been pretty much the same for the Dolphins all year.
Their defense doesn't give you much, and because of that Miami goes into the
bye week with a 5-2 record and in first place in the AFC East.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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The Bills (2-3) lost their third game in a row, all to AFC East
teams.
"They were three complete team losses," linebacker John
Holecek said. "No question, we're in a big hole."
The Dolphins registered six sacks, scored a safety and clinched
the victory when Sam Madison returned a fumble 20 yards for a score
with 4:45 left. Trace Armstrong contributed 3½ sacks and forced two
fumbles.
The victory was especially sweet for Thomas, Buffalo's career
rushing leader. Last week, he accused Holecek and two other Bills
players of being disrespectful and admitted he holds a grudge.
"Thurman had a look in his eye all week," Dolphins quarterback
Jay Fiedler. "He was jacked up, and it's easy to feed off a guy
like that. It gets us and the crowd fired up."
Thomas, at 34 playing mostly on third down, had a series of
verbal exchanges with his former teammates on the way back to the
huddle, particularly after big gains by Miami. After picking up 15
yards on a screen pass, Thomas stepped in front of Holecek and
signaled a first down with an exaggerated gesture.
"I guess all his talk worked for him," Holecek said. "I don't
know why he felt like he had to create an enemy, but I guess I'm
going to have to play the role."
Thomas, so often a Dolphins killer in the past, rushed for 24
yards in seven carries and added 26 yards on three receptions. That
earned him a game ball from coach Dave Wannstedt.
"It's one I'll treasure," Thomas said. "Coach Wannstedt
wanted to make the point that I'm part of this team now."
Despite Thomas' taunting, the Bills almost made him swallow his
words.
A 24-yard pass interference penalty on Patrick Surtain set up
Buffalo's only touchdown, which came on Sammy Morris' 3-yard run
with 8:34 left to make it 15-13. It was the third touchdown and the
first rushing score allowed by Miami this season.
The Bills got the ball back with 4:59 to go, but Surtain forced
a fumble by Morris. Madison caught the fumble before it hit the
ground and scored for a 22-13 lead.
"I didn't know he fumbled," Surtain said. "I just saw Sam
doing his dance in the end zone and figured something good had
happened."
Buffalo's Rob Johnson finished 11-for-26 for 178 yards with five
sacks. He was harried repeatedly and finally knocked out of the
game late in the fourth quarter when hit by Kenny Mixon after
throwing a pass.
Doug Flutie replaced Johnson, drove the Bills to the Miami 31
and then had a pass intercepted by Jerry Wilson.
"We gave this game away," Buffalo coach Wade Phillips said.
"We were in a position to win against a team that hasn't given up
many points."
Jay Fiedler directed a Miami offense that controlled the ball
for 34 minutes. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 142 yards and one
touchdown, a 20-yarder to Leslie Shepherd.
Miami punter Matt Turk pinned the Bills inside their 20-yard
line four times, including a coffin-corner kick that rolled out at
the 1. Two plays later, backup tackle Jermaine Haley slipped past
center Jerry Ostroski to tackle Jonathan Linton on a dive play for
a safety.
Olindo Mare improved to 9-for-9 on field goals this year,
scoring from 30 and 33 yards for Miami. Buffalo's Steve Christie
kicked field goals of 45 and 23 yards.
The Dolphins, who have a bye this week, overtook the New York
Jets atop the AFC East.
"We're doing better than everyone expected us to do,"
linebacker Zach Thomas said. "I hope everybody just keeps writing
us off."
Game notes
Johnson said he left the game when tendinitis in his
throwing elbow flared up, but he expects to be fine this week. ...
Dolphins reserve linebacker Scott Galyon hurt his right knee, and
doctors suspect a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Guard Mark Dixon
sprained his left elbow and cornerback Terrance Shaw suffered a
concussion. ... At 35, Armstrong has 10 sacks, two shy of his
career high set in 1996. ... The Dolphins have been at or above
.500 for 58 consecutive weeks, the longest streak in the NFL. ...
Buffalo allowed a season-high 120 yards rushing. ... The Bills are
0-3 against the AFC East for the first time since 1987.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Buffalo Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Dave Wannstedt says his team is ready for their next opponent.
wav: 274 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Thurman Thomas was determined to play against the Bills on Sunday.
wav: 233 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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