FantasyHQ+

FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 17 · December 31, 2017 · 12 min read

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins: 2017 Week 17 Recap

Bills defeat Dolphins 22–16 in Week 17

Tyrod Taylor led Fantasy Impact as Bills prevailed in a 22–16 Week 17 finish.

Buffalo Bills 22 9–7 Winner
Final 22–16
Miami Dolphins 16 6–10
Winner
Buffalo Bills
Final score
22–16
Halftime
Buffalo Bills 10–0 Miami Dolphins
Top passer
D. Fales
FantasyHQ MVP
Tyrod Taylor
Game date
December 31, 2017

Top fantasy performers · Bills

  • Tyrod Taylor
    Tyrod Taylor 19/37 · 222 YDS · 1 TD +13.3 Fantasy Impact
  • K.Benjamin 2 REC · 27 YDS +3.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Darwin Thompson
    Darwin Thompson 2 REC · 23 YDS +3.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

  • DeVante Parker
    DeVante Parker 6 REC · 64 YDS +5.1 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Landry 9 REC · 92 YDS · 2 TD +4.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Donovan Smith
    Donovan Smith 3 REC · 27 YDS +1.2 Fantasy Impact
View Bills vs Dolphins box score View all 2017 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Buffalo Bills
Final score
Buffalo Bills 22–16 Miami Dolphins
Halftime
Buffalo Bills 10–0 Miami Dolphins at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Tyrod Taylor
Top passer
D. Fales
Biggest EPA play
(7:16) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete deep right to 10-D.Thompson. PENALTY on MIA-30…
Game date
2017-12-31

Game summary

The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 22–16 on 2017-12-31. Tyrod Taylor posted a game-high +13.31 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 16 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Buffalo Bills7393022
Miami Dolphins00313016

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

BUFBuffalo Bills
MIAMiami Dolphins

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 10:20TD
    NON. O'Leary

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIA 26
    Score
    6-0

    (10:20) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 84-N.O'Leary for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 10:14XP
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIA 15
    Score
    7-0

    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.

  3. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q2 14:50FG
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 5
    Score
    10-0

    (14:50) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.

  4. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q3 10:21FG
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 31
    Score
    13-0

    (10:21) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.

  5. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q3 7:10TD
    Kristian Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIA 1
    Score
    19-0

    (7:10) 95-K.Williams and 72-R.Groy reported in as eligible. 95-K.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q3 2:34FG
    CPC. Parkey

    Points+3

    Yard line
    BUF 18
    Score
    19-3

    (2:34) (Field Goal formation) 1-C.Parkey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-16-M.Haack.

  7. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q4 11:45FG
    SHS. Hauschka

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIA 15
    Score
    22-3

    (11:45) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.

  8. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q4 6:21TD
    JLJ. Landry

    Points+6

    Yard line
    BUF 1
    Score
    22-9

    (6:21) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales pass short middle to 14-J.Landry for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-14-J.Landry, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Penalty on MIA-14-J.Landry, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on MIA-32-K.Drake, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on BUF-92-A.Washington, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, offsetting. Penalty on BUF-24-L.Johnson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, offsetting. Penalty on MIA-14-J.Landry, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on MIA-32-K.Drake, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, offsetting. Penalty on MIA-10-K.Stills, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, offsetting. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.

  9. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q4 2:00TD
    DFD. Fales

    Points+6

    Yard line
    BUF 1
    Score
    22-15

    (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. MIAMiami Dolphins
    Q4 1:56XP
    CPC. Parkey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    BUF 15
    Score
    22-16

    1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-16-M.Haack.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Tyrod TaylorTyrod Taylor · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +13.31 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
  2. 2DeVante ParkerDeVante Parker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.09 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
  3. 3J. Landry · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.88 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
  4. 4K. Benjamin · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
  5. 5Darwin ThompsonDarwin Thompson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
  6. 6C. Clay · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
  7. 7N. O'Leary · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.91 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
  8. 8Zay JonesZay Jones · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.51 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Tyrod Taylor

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Tyrod Taylor — BUF · Passing

Tyrod Taylor posted the highest total EPA (+13.31) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Buffalo Bills. Across 37 counted snaps, they averaged +0.36 EPA per play.

Tyrod Taylor's top snap (+3.55 EPA): (7:16) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete deep right to 10-D.Thompson. PENALTY on MIA-30-C.Tankersley, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enforced at MIA 32 - No Play.

Quarterback report card

D. Fales led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • D. Fales (Miami Dolphins) · 49 dropbacks · 59.2% completion · +3.7% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -2.16 total EPA
  • Tyrod TaylorTyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 37 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · +5.9% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +13.31 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatBuffalo BillsMiami Dolphins
Offensive EPA/play+0.109-0.025
Offensive success rate42.9%43.5%
Pass EPA/play+0.360-0.065
Rush EPA/play-0.123+0.029
Defensive EPA/play+0.025-0.109
Defensive success rate56.5%57.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Buffalo Bills generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs -0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Buffalo Bills: +0.11 EPA/play (81st percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)
  • Miami Dolphins: -0.03 EPA/play (50th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)
  • Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +9.17 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, -2.12 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Buffalo Bills — N. O'Leary (Tyrod Taylor pass) (Q1 10:20)
  • Kristian WilliamsBuffalo Bills — Kristian Williams (Q3 7:10)
  • Miami Dolphins — J. Landry (D. Fales pass) (Q4 6:21)
  • Miami Dolphins — D. Fales (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

  • Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka (Q2 14:50)
  • Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka (Q3 10:21)
  • Miami Dolphins — C. Parkey (Q3 2:34)
  • Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka (Q4 11:45)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 26 (Q1 10:20) — (10:20) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 84-N.O'Leary for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 10:14) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the MIA 5 (Q2 14:50) — (14:50) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 9–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the MIA 31 (Q3 10:21) — (10:21) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q3 7:10) — (7:10) 95-K.Williams and 72-R.Groy reported in as eligible. 95-K.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the BUF 18 (Q3 2:34) — (2:34) (Field Goal formation) 1-C.Parkey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-16-M.Haack..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 13–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the MIA 15 (Q4 11:45) — (11:45) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q4 6:21); Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 1:56) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-16-M.Haack..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Miami Dolphins (Q4 0:56) — (:56) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales pass deep right intended for 10-K.Stills INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Poyer at BUF 28. 21-J.Poyer to BUF 29 for 1 yard. [WPA -19.2% · EPA -1.73]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 1:56) — (Onside Kick formation) 1-C.Parkey kicks onside 2 yards from MIA 35 to MIA 37, impetus ends at MIA 43. RECOVERED by MIA-28-B.McCain. [WPA -18.9% · EPA -2.15]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q1 7:27) — (7:27) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales pass short left to 11-D.Parker to BUF 22 for 7 yards (23-M.Hyde). [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.58]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q1 11:33) — (11:33) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 10-D.Thompson to MIA 39 for 13 yards (22-T.McDonald). [WPA +8.1% · EPA +2.33]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q2 11:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep middle to 13-K.Benjamin to BUF 42 for 18 yards (20-R.Jones). PENALTY on MIA-35-W.Aikens, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 42. [WPA +7.3% · EPA +3.35]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Buffalo Bills (Q3 7:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete deep right to 10-D.Thompson. PENALTY on MIA-30-C.Tankersley, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enforced at MIA 32 - No Play. [WPA +2.6% · EPA +3.55]
  • Miami Dolphins (Q3 8:49) — (8:49) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales pass incomplete short right. PENALTY on MIA-9-D.Fales, Intentional Grounding, 13 yards, enforced at BUF 37. [WPA -4.5% · EPA -3.50]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q2 11:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass deep middle to 13-K.Benjamin to BUF 42 for 18 yards (20-R.Jones). PENALTY on MIA-35-W.Aikens, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 42. [WPA +7.3% · EPA +3.35]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q1 10:20) — (10:20) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 84-N.O'Leary for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.7% · EPA +2.89]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 10:20 · MIA 26 · Score 6-0
    (10:20) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 84-N.O'Leary for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 10:14 · MIA 15 · Score 7-0
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
  3. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 14:50 · MIA 5 · Score 10-0
    (14:50) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
  4. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 10:21 · MIA 31 · Score 13-0
    (10:21) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
  5. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 7:10 · MIA 1 · Score 19-0
    (7:10) 95-K.Williams and 72-R.Groy reported in as eligible. 95-K.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q3 2:34 · BUF 18 · Score 19-3
    (2:34) (Field Goal formation) 1-C.Parkey 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-16-M.Haack.
  7. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 11:45 · MIA 15 · Score 22-3
    (11:45) (Field Goal formation) 4-S.Hauschka 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
  8. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 6:21 · BUF 1 · Score 22-9
    (6:21) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales pass short middle to 14-J.Landry for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-14-J.Landry, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Penalty on MIA-14-J.Landry, Di
  9. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · BUF 1 · Score 22-15
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Fales left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 1:56 · BUF 15 · Score 22-16
    1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-16-M.Haack.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Buffalo Bills earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • D. Fales (MIA) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins on 2017-12-31?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 22-16 in Week 17, 2017.

What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins?

Q1: Buffalo Bills 7, Miami Dolphins 0; Q2: Buffalo Bills 3, Miami Dolphins 0; Q3: Buffalo Bills 9, Miami Dolphins 3; Q4: Buffalo Bills 3, Miami Dolphins 13; Final: Buffalo Bills 22, Miami Dolphins 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins?

Buffalo Bills touchdown — N. O'Leary (T. Taylor pass) (Q1 10:20) Buffalo Bills touchdown — K. Williams (Q3 7:10) Miami Dolphins touchdown — J. Landry (D. Fales pass) (Q4 6:21) Miami Dolphins touchdown — D. Fales (Q4 2:00) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q2 14:50, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q3 10:21, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — C. Parkey (Q3 2:34, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q4 11:45, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins?

D. Fales (Miami Dolphins), 59.2% completion, +3.7% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -2.16 total passing EPA. Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills), 51.4% completion, +5.9% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +13.31 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins?

Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +13.31 total EPA on Passing plays. across 37 snaps. Their top snap (+3.55 EPA): (7:16) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete deep right to 10-D.Thompson. PENALTY on MIA-30-C.Tankersley, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enforced at MIA 32 - No Play..

Was Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Buffalo Bills won 22-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Buffalo Bills

Entered 8-7 Now 9-7 W

Miami Dolphins

Entered 6-9 Now 6-10 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

More 2017 game recaps

Week 17 · Dec 31, 2017

Washington Commanders vs New York Giants

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 31, 2017

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 31, 2017

Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 31, 2017

New York Jets vs New England Patriots

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 31, 2017

New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 31, 2017

Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos

Read full recap →