BY SEAN DONOVAN
For one Buffalo Bill, Sunday's 23-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins had an extra measure of vindication.
Bills kicker Dan Carpenter, who spent his first five seasons with Miami, booted three field goals -- including a game-winning 31-yarder in the final minute -- in his first game against his former team.
After the contest, he downplayed the victory's personal significance.
“There wasn’t anything special about it," Carpenter said, via the Palm Beach Post. "I didn’t have any hard feelings about what happened down here.”
Carpenter was put in position to give his current team the lead after Bills defensive end Mario Williams sacked and stripped Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and defensive tackle Kyle Williams recovered the ball deep in Miami territory.
The Dolphins had battled back from a 14-point first quarter deficit to take a 21-20 lead at the that point late in the fourth, before the crippling turnover gave Buffalo the opportunity to win.
The loss drops the Dolphins to 3-3 after winning their first three games of the season.
“It's frustrating,” left guard Richie Incognito said. “Coming down the stretch we had an opportunity to win the football game and we made another mistake on the turnover. We’re killing ourselves right now.”
Tannehill was responsible for three turnovers on the afternoon, throwing two first quarter interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Bills defensive back Nickell Robey on the first possession of the game. Despite the errors, Tannehill's career-high three touchdown passes had the Dolphins in position to win, but poor pass protection again exacted a blow to Miami's season.
Dolphins right tackle Tyson Clabo addressed allowing the critical strip-sack after the game.
“I have to take full responsibility,” Clabo said. “[Mario Williams] is a really good player. He made a big play at a crucial point in the game."
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