Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

Jim Kelly threw three touchdowns including two to Andre Reed and James Lofton caught a 13-yard score, and the Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 44-34 at Rich Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round. Kelly finished 19 of 29 for 339 yards. Thurman Thomas ran for 117 and two touchdowns. Dan Marino threw for 323 and three touchdowns. The Bills improved to 14-3 and advanced to the AFC Championship.[1][2]

Jim Kelly's three-touchdown afternoon and Thurman Thomas' 117-yard, two-touchdown rushing day pushed the Buffalo Bills to a 44-34 divisional-round home win over the Miami Dolphins. The Bills move to 14-3 and advance to the AFC Championship game.

Kelly finished 19 of 29 for 339 yards. Andre Reed caught four for 122 with two touchdowns (40, 26). James Lofton caught seven for 149 with a 13-yard score. Thurman Thomas ran 32 times for 117 with rushing touchdowns of 5 yards (twice).

Dan Marino finished 23 of 49 for 323 with three touchdowns (Duper 64, Foster 2, Martin 8) and two interceptions. Marino ran in a 2-yard touchdown. Sammie Smith ran 21 times for 99. The Dolphins' offensive output of 34 points was their year's second-highest single-game total. The Bills' defensive front produced no sacks but forced two key turnovers that set up two of the Buffalo touchdown drives.

Bills 44, Dolphins 34. Margin: plus 10. AFC Divisional Round.

• Kelly: 19 of 29, 339, 3 TDs (Reed 40, Lofton 13, Reed 26), 1 INT.
• Thurman Thomas: 32 carries for 117, 2 rushing TDs (5y x2), plus 3 catches for 38.
• Andre Reed: 4 catches for 122, 2 TDs.
• James Lofton: 7 catches for 149, 1 TD.
• Scott Norwood: 3 FGs (24, 22, 28).
• Marino (MIA): 23 of 49, 323, 3 TDs (Duper 64, Foster 2, Martin 8), 2 INTs; 1 rushing TD (2y).
• Mark Duper (MIA): 3 catches for 113, 1 TD (64y).
• Sammie Smith (MIA): 21 carries for 99.
• Stoyanovich (MIA): 2 FGs (49, 22).
• Bills 14-3; Dolphins out. Bills advance to AFC Championship.

A 44-34 AFC Divisional Round home win for the Buffalo Bills over the Miami Dolphins at Rich Stadium. Buffalo improves to 14-3 and advances to the AFC Championship game.

How it unfolded

Reed caught a 40-yard touchdown from Kelly on the opening drive. Stoyanovich kicked a 49-yarder. Norwood kicked two field goals. Marino hit Duper on a 64-yard touchdown. Thomas' 5-yard touchdown made it 20-10. Lofton's 13-yard touchdown extended it 27-10. Marino's 2-yard rush cut it to 27-17. Marino hit Reggie Roby on a 13-yard pass for 27-17. Stoyanovich added a 22-yarder. Norwood made another. Thomas added a second 5-yard score. Reed's 26-yard touchdown made it 37-27. Marino threw a 2-yard touchdown to Foster. Norwood added a 28-yard field goal. Tony Martin's 8-yard touchdown made the final 44-34.

The turning point

The second Thurman Thomas 5-yard rushing touchdown. With the Dolphins having cut the Bills' two-score lead to 27-17 and Marino's offense trending toward a comeback, Thomas' second short rushing touchdown made it 30-17. The seven-point swing closed the door on Miami's catch-up margin.

By the numbers

Kelly 19 of 29 for 339 with three touchdowns. Thomas 117 on 32 carries with two short touchdowns. Reed four for 122 with two touchdowns. Lofton seven for 149 with the 13-yarder. Marino 23 of 49 for 323 with three touchdown passes and two interceptions plus the rushing score. Mark Duper three for 113 with the 64-yard score.

What it means

14-3. AFC Championship at home next Sunday. The Bills' divisional win produces the kind of offensive output a No. 1 seed needs heading into the conference championship.