Five snapshots from the Dolphins-Bills series, focusing on games played in Miami …
1. Oct. 9, 1983 — The first game on our list was a loss that wasn't really a loss. The reason it wasn't a loss is this game marked the first NFL start for Dan Marino, and in passing for 322 yards and three touchdowns he provided a preview of the Hall of Fame career that would follow. That the Dolphins lost 38-35 in overtime on that day wasn't nearly as significant as what Marino showed on the field.
2. Sept. 16, 1990 — The 1990 Buffalo Bills ended up going to the Super Bowl on the strength of an offense that few defenses could slow down. The Dolphins did more than shut down the Bills in the second week of the 1990 regular season; they almost shut them out. The Dolphins held Jim Kelly to 140 passing yards in a 30-7 victory. The defense ended up with three sacks and an interception by safety Louis Oliver.
3. Jan. 2, 1999 — The most recent of four playoff meetings between the Dolphins and Bills was a classic at what was then called Pro Player Stadium. The Dolphins clinched a 24-17 victory when Trace Armstrong sacked Doug Flutie and caused a fumble with the Bills driving toward a potential game-tying touchdown in the final minute. The Dolphins were able to win despite Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds catching nine passes for 240 yards and a touchdown.
4. Dec. 4, 2005 — This was the Chris Chambers show. The Dolphins fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter after three touchdown passes from J.P. Losman to wide receiver Lee Evans before they slowly fought their way back. Sage Rosenfels came in at quarterback after Gus Frerotte was injured early in the third quarter and passed for 272 yards in less than a half. The Dolphins erased a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit, winning when Chambers capped his 15-catch, 238-yard day with a 4-yard touchdown with 6 seconds left.
5. Oct. 23, 2016 — The Dolphins recorded two three-point victories against the Bills last season, the first coming in Miami in Week 7. This was the week after the Dolphins stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers after coming in with a 1-4 record. The Dolphins' ability to follow up with a 28-25 victory against a Buffalo team that came in with a 4-2 record proved it was no fluke. The game also featured a second consecutive 200-yard rushing performance by Jay Ajayi. The Dolphins pretty much clinched the victory when Ryan Tannehill threw a 66-yard touchdown pass for a 28-17 lead with 2:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.
