BY SEAN DONOVAN
But the team wasn't satisfied that they had just dominated a division rival. Instead they were focused on the reality that they would miss the postseason for the fourth straight season.
"There are guys in this locker room that are tired of playing for pride," linebacker Kevin Burnett said, according to Ben Volin via Twitter. "It’s getting old for me."
Miami found out after the game that the Cincinnati Bengals had beaten the Pittsburgh Steelers, closing the only chance that the Dolphins had to qualify for the playoffs.
That news tempered the mood of a team that had just played one of its most complete games of the season.
"The NFL has a system in place. Six teams earn a spot in the playoffs," head coach Joe Philbin said, according to ESPN.com. "It is what it is."
The Dolphins' defense forced four turnovers on the day including three fumble recoveries, which doubles Miami's total on the season. Safety Reshad Jones, who has had a breakout season, had a hand in three of those takeaways.
Miami had ranked near the bottom in the league in both fumbles recovered and total takeaways.
The Bills had a relatively productive day offensively, including a 138-yard performance from elusive tailback C.J. Spiller. But the costly turnovers allowed the Dolphins to run away with a victory.
