Bills head coach Sean McDermott made it clear what he thought of one of quarterback Josh Allen’s mistakes.
With no timeouts left and the Bills trailing 14-7 with just 11 seconds left in the first half of their win over the Dolphins Sunday night, Allen threw and completed a pass to running back Ty Johnson short of the goal line.
At first, it appeared as if Johnson would be able to continue into the end zone, but a crunching tackle by Jerome Baker and Eli Apple stopped Johnson just short.
The clock ran out after the play as a result, with the Bills coming away without any points.
“Can’t be throwing it in the field of play,” McDermott told NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark on the broadcast. “It’s gotta be thrown in the end zone.”
It did appear the referees missed a clear helmet-to-helmet hit from Baker, however.
It was one of multiple mistakes Allen made in the first half, as he threw two questionable interceptions in the end zone as well.
Ty Johnson gets stopped at the goal line before halftime. Getty ImagesBut Allen and the Bills rallied in the second half, with the win clinching the AFC East title and a home playoff game against the Steelers.
Return specialist Deonte Harty returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown to help Buffalo tie the game at 14-14, and Allen later found tight end Dawson Knox for a 5-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-14 lead.
Miami did not score in the second half and will now have to travel to Kansas City to face the defending champion Chiefs in Saturday’s wild-card matchup.
Josh Allen led the Bills to a win over the Dolphins after a rough first half. AP
Sean McDermott wasn’t happy with one Josh Allen decision. Getty ImagesIt was a classic example of both the highs and lows that Allen often displays.
After his mistake-filled first half, he looked like a completely different quarterback in the second half, torching the Dolphins’ defense.
He finished with 359 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“What a resilient group,” Allen said after the game. “So proud of our guys. They battled their tails off. The final couple of drives I felt we found a groove on the offensive side of the ball. The ball was coming out of my hands the best all year.”
The Bills will host the Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
