There’s Enough Flutie Magic to Go Around

Doug Flutie hasn’t run out of magic yet, although he shared the spotlight with Steve Christie on Sunday.

Christie kicked three fourth-quarter field goals, two in the final two minutes, to give the Buffalo Bills a 30-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins, capping a Flutie-led comeback from a 10-point deficit.

Flutie, who was 15 for 26 for 206 yards and three touchdowns, threw a 48-yard scoring pass to Eric Moulds with 11:46 left in the game.

“He’s 36 and out there playing like he’s a kid,” tight end Jay Riemersma, who caught two touchdown passes, said of Flutie. “For us young guys, it’s nice to see that enthusiasm.”

Miami still had a chance to win after Christie’s 25-yard field goal with 23 seconds left made it 30-24. John Avery returned the kickoff to the Buffalo 45 and Dan Marino’s desperation pass to O.J. McDuffie was completed four yards short of the end zone.

Buffalo has won five consecutive games, four since Flutie replaced injured Rob Johnson. The Bills, Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets are all 5-3 in the AFC East.

When asked who would be the starting quarterback when Johnson is healthy again, Buffalo Coach Wade Phillips said, “I’m going to dance around that.”

Miami seemed headed for victory after Zach Thomas stripped the ball from Antowain Smith and Terrell Buckley recovered late in the third quarter. A 38-yard field goal by Olindo Mare gave Miami its 24-14 lead.

Flutie answered with the touchdown pass to Moulds. Ted Washington then sacked Marino, knocking the ball loose for Phil Hansen to recover, and Christie’s 22-yard field goal at 9:48 tied it at 24-24. Christie made a 36-yard field goal with 1:58 left to give the Bills the lead.