MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. _ For a few brief moments Sunday, including the end of a thrilling game, the Miami Dolphins were on the verge of their season tethering on an uneventful end.
The Dolphins were nearly on the verge of losing their third straight game, while the Bills nearly won their third in a row. Both teams could have had the same 5-7 record with greater hopes of an early draft pick instead of a playoff berth.
And one team could have been trending in a polar opposite direction than the other.
Instead, the Dolphins (6-6) kept their glimmer of AFC playoff hopes alive with a 21-17 win over the Bills (4-8) in Hard Rock Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 65,155 people.
The Dolphins defense was able to withstand two late drives by Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen, including a wide open, deep pass that was dropped by former Dolphins tight end Charles Clay in the end zone, to secure their third win over a rookie quarterback this season
Still, Allen gave Miami's defense a worthy challenge on Sunday.
Allen completed just 18 of 33 passes with two touchdowns, but torched the Dolphins with 135 yards rushing when he broke free from the pocket.
Allen gave the Bills a 17-14 lead with his second touchdown pass of the game to receiver Zay Jones with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill responded with a 13-yard touchdown to receiver Kenny Stills, despite being covered by two defenders, to retake the lead at 21-17 with 8:42 left.
And down the stretch, the Dolphins defense answered the call to one in the final three minutes of the game to keep their season alive.
Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn stripped Allen, one play after defensive back Bobby McCain sacked Allen on the second-to-last Bills drive before Allen nearly connected with Clay and Jones on a deep pass that was ruled incomplete near the 5-yard line in the final minute.
Allen was one of three quarterbacks Gase and the Dolphins invited to South Florida for a thorough evaluation before the NFL draft earlier this year.
The Bills traded up from 12th overall to draft Allen with the seventh pick, while the Dolphins stood pat at No. 13, drafting dynamic defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Allen showed flashes of his potential, with his ability use his legs and escape the pocket to get past the likes of Dolphins leading tackler Kiko Alonso.
He was a fearless passer, pushing the envelope with a Hail Mary pass before halftime that was intercepted by Xavien Howard, yet throwing a 22-yard completion in the back of his own end zone for a first down in the third quarter.
Yet, after Allen's second interception to Howard in third quarter, Allen responded by giving Buffalo a lead they could not ultimately keep.
The Dolphins scored on their opening drive for the second straight week, after snapping a league-high 20-game drought last week against the Colts.
Tannehill ended a 10-play drive that saw Frank Gore, Kenny Stills, Kenyan Drake and newcomers like Brice Butler and Brandon Bolden make plays with an 18-yard touchdown pass to DeVante Parker, his first of the season.
After that point, however, the Dolphins offense was abysmal.
The Bills defense penetrated the Dolphins offensive line, resulting in three sacks of Tannehill and a number of penalties. The Dolphins followed their 60-yard opening drive with nine offensive plays for minus-11 yards.
Then, the Dolphins caught a break.
Bills punt returner Isaiah McKenzie, a former American Heritage Plantation standout, muffed a punt that was recovered by Senorise Perry at the 36-yard line.
The Dolphins were able to take advantage with their 10th red zone score of the season, a 3-yard pass from Tannehill that was floated into Drake's hands for a 14-6 lead at halftime.
Miami did not score again until Tannehill's go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins are seventh in the playoff race, one game behind the Ravens for a playoff spot with next week's home game against the New England Patriots on tap.
