Buffalo Defense States Its Case, 23-18

Harried by the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins looked awful on third down Monday night and not too good on the other downs.

The Dolphins converted only one of 14 third-down situations, and the Buffalo Bills forced three Marino turnovers in a 23-18 victory.

“This could really be a big one for us,” Bill Coach Wade Phillips said. “Our defense was outstanding. Everybody talks about their defense, but ours is playing tremendous.”

The victory avenged the Bills’ 24-17 loss at Miami in last season’s playoffs. After that game, Dolphin Coach Jimmy Johnson celebrated in the locker room by stomping on a box of Flutie Flakes.

This time the Bill defense did the stomping. Its domination included a 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Gabe Northern.

“It’s very simple,” Johnson said. “If you turn the ball over and don’t convert on third downs, you’re going to have a tough time winning.”

Linebacker John Holecek led the defensive charge by the Bills (3-1), whose victory over the the Dolphins (2-1) left the NFL with three undefeated teams.

“We can definitely play better, but I think we’re up with the elite in the AFC,” Bill quarterback Doug Flutie said.

The Bills had lost five consecutive games at Miami.

“Championship teams have to win on the road,” Holecek said.

After Buffalo took a 23-12 lead on Steve Christie’s third field goal with 6:56 to play, Miami’s Brock Marion returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to the four. O.J. McDuffie then caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Marino, the first touchdown given up by the Bills’ defense in 13 quarters.

The Dolphins got the ball back with 2:59 to play, but Marino threw four consecutive incomplete passes from the Miami 43. He completed 22 of 44 passes for 251 yards, with two interceptions and two sacks, his first of the year.

Marino grudgingly gave credit to the Bills and his longtime nemesis, defensive end Bruce Smith.

“We’re the ones that made the mistakes that really cost us the game,” he said. “But they’re pretty good on defense. No. 78 is pretty good.”

Flutie completed 12 of 25 passes for 186 yards and added 29 yards rushing.

The teams traded field goals before the Bills’ defense broke a 6-6 tie late in the first half.

Holecek came through free on a blitz and blindsided Marino to jar the ball loose. Northern scooped it up, escaped the grasp of Miami’s Cecil Collins and then ran untouched 59 yards for a touchdown.

Holecek returned an interception of a Marino pass 35 yards to set up Christie’s final field goal, a 31-yarder.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Holecek said. “He threw it right at me. I was unbelievably shocked.”

Christie also kicked field goals of 26 and 52 yards.

The Dolphins closed to 13-12 early in the fourth quarter, but Buffalo responded with an 80-yard touchdown drive. Flutie hooked up with Eric Moulds on a 40-yard pass play, then passed to him again for the six-yard score and a 20-12 lead.