Bills vs. Dolphins: Buffalo trails 14-7 — time for a reset, and your second-half open thread

The Bills need to refocus and re-energize if they intend to come out winners in Hard Rock Stadium

The Buffalo Bills trail the Miami Dolphins 14-7 at halftime. Just as most of Bills Mafia expected when the evening began.

I’ll spare you the stats for the time being since they’re really not worth spending time on — aside from a pair of really ugly interceptions by Josh Allen. An inexplicably missed defensive pass interference call on a throw to tight end Dawson Knox proved detrimental for Buffalo. Instead of getting a first down at the Dolphins’ one, Allen was left to make magic happen much further out, and while under heavy pressure he threw a pass right to cornerback Eli Apple instead of wide receiver Gabe Davis. At minimum, three points wasted.

A short time later, Josh Allen dropped back deep in Bills territory, throwing a rope to wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But, like so often in recent weeks, the pass sailed far beyond Diggs’ ability to make even a leaping grab. Six more points wasted (plus a likely PAT). Painful.

Speaking of hurt. Three more significant injuries within the span of 25 minutes for the Buffalo Bills. Joining the infirmary are wide receiver Gabe Davis, linebacker Tyrel Dodson, and cornerback Rasul Douglas. All three are questionable to return at this point.

The Bills did get on the scoreboard when a pass by Allen “doinked” off of linebacker Andrews Van Ginkel — and up into the waiting arms of a toe-dragging Trent Sherfield.

After losing Dodson and Douglas, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa began to find rhythm, eventually finding wide receiver Tyreek Hill for a touchdown to go up 14-7.

With time dwindling in the half, Buffalo put together a drive hoping to convert the opening portion of a double dip. Allen found running back James Cook who’d beaten his man deep for the front corner of the end zone — and he dropped a certain touchdown. Six more points wasted (plus a likely PAT).

Though, hang on. The drive didn’t end after that play, and with scant seconds left before intermission Allen threw into the flat for running back Ty Johnson who was a few yards from the end zone. With no timeouts to use, the quarter ran out and Buffalo didn’t even get to attempt a field goal. Three points wasted.

So, add it up and the Bills should be leading the Dolphins 24-14 or 20-14, depending on if they convert a TD or FG before the half. Instead, they jogged to the locker room with a visibly fuming Sean McDermott in pursuit. McDermott told sideline reporter Melissa Stark that the pass had to be in the end zone, a clear indication he disapproved of at least Allen’s execution, the route run by Johnson, or the play call in general.

The Bills are essentially beating themselves, just as color commentator Chris Collinsworth pointed out after Allen’s first turnover. Different this evening is that his turnovers are almost directly hurting the team.

The good news is that edge rusher Von Miller suited up tonight. Let’s hope they put him on the field soon.

Here’s your second-half open thread for the remainder of tonight’s game. Hopefully a far different, more motivated and properly focused team in blue hits the field for the rest of the night. Remember, be kind to one another and Go Bills!