Bills head coach Sean McDermott made it clear what he thinks about quarterback Josh Allen's mistakes.
With no timeouts left and the Bills trailing 14-7 with 11 seconds left in the first half of Sunday night's win over the Dolphins, Allen threw a pass to running back Ty Johnson just short of the goal line and completed it. I let it happen.
At first, it looked like Johnson would be able to reach the end zone, but heavy tackles from Jerome Baker and Eli Apple stopped him just one step away.
As a result, time expired after the play, and the Bills won without a score.
“You can't just throw it on the field,” McDermott told NBC side reporter Melissa Stark on the broadcast. “I have to throw it to the end zone.”
However, the referee appeared to miss Baker's clear helmet-to-helmet blow.
This was one of multiple mistakes Allen made in the first half, and he also threw two questionable interceptions in the end zone.
However, Allen and the Bills rallied in the second half and the victory clinched the AFC East title and a home playoff game against the Steelers.
Return specialist Deonte Harty returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown to help Buffalo tie the game at 14-14, before Allen completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox. They led 21-14.
Miami failed to score in the second half and will have to travel to Kansas City to face the defending champion Chiefs in Saturday's wild-card game.
Ron Rivera and Arthur Smith were fired. For the latest NFL Black Monday updates, news, rumors, analysis and more, follow our live tracker.
This was a classic example of both the highs and lows that Allen often exhibits.
After a mistake-filled first half, he looked like a different quarterback in the second half, toying with the Dolphins' defense.
He had 359 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
“What a resilient group,” Allen said after the game. “I'm very proud of our players. They fought off their tails. On the last few drives, I felt like we found a groove on the offensive side of the ball. The ball was coming out of our hands. It was the best all year.”
The Bills host the Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
