Sports

T.O. helps Bills bury Dolphins, 31-14

A long field goal by Rian Lindell and a long touchdown catch by Terrell Owens in the final minutes propelled the Buffalo Bills to a 31-14 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The win was the first for interim coach Perry Fewell, who replaced the fired Dick Jauron two games ago.

Lindell’s career-best 56-yard field goal with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter put the Bills (4-7) ahead for the first time at 17-14. Just 72 seconds later, Ryan Fitzpatrick teamed up with Owens on a 51-yard scoring play and Fred Jackson’s second TD of the game, a 7-yard run with 1:20 left, closed out the scoring as the Bills ended a three-game losing streak.

After Owens scored, he mimicked Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter’s sack celebration by pretending to kick dirt in the end zone. Miami fell to 5-6.

Jackson ran for 73 yards and scored on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter as Buffalo outscored the Dolphins 24-0 in the final 15 minutes.

Ricky Williams had 115 yards rushing and a touchdown, but the Dolphins couldn’t overcome Chad Henne’s three interceptions – on Miami’s final three possessions.

Lindell’s field goal gave the Bills the momentum they needed. Four players later, Henne was hit by defensive end Chris Kelsay and his pass was intercepted by Drayton Florence.

The Bills then went for a big play and got it as Fitzpatrick hit Owens along the right sideline, with T.O. two steps ahead of defender Vontae Davis.

Owens finished with five catches for 96 yards, a week after a nine-catch, 197-yard game in a loss to Jacksonville.

The Dolphins never recovered as Henne threw two more interceptions. The first-year starter finished 17 of 31 for 175 yards. Brian Hartline scored on a 4-yard reception and Williams scored on a 1-yard plunge.

It was a tough loss for a Miami team that had spent the past two months on a 5-2 run to overcome an 0-3 start to the season.

Porter had two of the Dolphins six sacks.

Fewell has provided the team with a spark after the Bills showed positive signs in the 18-15 loss to Jacksonville.

Against Miami, Buffalo’s defense prevented the Dolphins from breaking the game open. The Dolphins opening drive ended when Williams, taking a direct snap on first-and-goal from the 3, had a pass intercepted in the end zone by linebacker Chris Draft.

The Bills finished with 336 yards – the second straight game they’ve gone over 300 yards.