Bills convert late fumble to beat Dolphins

Sack by Williams helps Buffalo recover after blowing 14-point lead

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. Thad Lewis completed one pass for a first down even as a blitzing linebacker knocked his helmet off and sent it skittering upfield.

The hit drew a flag and left Lewis sprawled on the turf, but the Buffalo Bills’ young quarterback leaped to his feet screaming and punching the air to celebrate the gain.

Lewis’ resilience proved infectious Sunday. The Bills blew an early 14-point lead, then rallied to kick the winning field goal with 33 seconds left and beat the Miami Dolphins 23-21.

Mario Williams forced a fumble by sacking Ryan Tannehill with less than three minutes to go, setting up the winning 31-yard kick by Dan Carpenter, who was released in August after five seasons with the Dolphins.

The Bills won in Lewis’ second start since being promoted from the practice squad to replace injured E.J. Manuel. Lewis’ fist-pumping after being levelled came when Buffalo trailed 21-17 in the third quarter.

“I was excited,” he said. “I’m not a rah-rah guy, but when you’re down and out, you’ve got to do something to get the team going.”

Lewis was sacked four times and threw an interception, but he passed for 202 yards and helped the Bills convert 9 of 19 third downs.

Defence did the rest. Rookie Nickell Robey returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game and Buffalo turned the tide late with the help of two sacks by Williams.

The injury-plagued Bills (34) ended a streak of six consecutive road losses, including two this year. But it was a home game of sorts for Lewis, who grew up near the Dolphins’ stadium.

“It meant a lot to get this win,” he said. “Wins are hard to come by in this league. It’s even sweeter to get it at home.”

Miami (3-3) lost its third game in a row. A month ago, the Dolphins were basking in their best start since 2002. They haven’t won since.

The 99th meeting between the AFC East rivals had one of the wilder endings in the series. With Miami nursing a 21-20 lead, Tannehill tried to throw from midfield but fumbled when sacked by Williams.

Kyle Williams recovered at the Miami 34. Carpenter, who drew boos throughout the game, lined up for the winner seven plays later.

“I just thought, ‘Kick it through those yellow things,’ ” he said.

Marcus Thigpen nearly broke the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but was tripped up by Carpenter after a 44-yard return to the Miami 46. Tannehill then threw four consecutive incompletions.

‘I was excited. I’m not a rah-rah guy, but when you’re down and out, you’ve got to do something to get the team going.’

THAD LEWIS Buffalo Bills quarterback

Along with his fumble and interception returned for a touchdown, Tannehill threw another interception when Miami was threatening. Tannehill, who came into the game on pace to set an NFL record for being sacked, increased his total to 26 with two — both by Mario Williams, who has 10 this year.

Tannehill almost offset his turnovers with three touchdown passes, two to Brandon Gibson.

Gibson turned one short throw into an acrobatic score, leaping over one defender at the goal-line and splitting two others as he tumbled airborne into the end zone.

Gibson made his second TD catch just as entertaining. After catching a four-yard pass in the back of the end zone, he flipped the ball aside, leaped over a barricade and was mobbed by more than a dozen happy fans watching from field level.