by The Buffalo Bills got an inadvertent assist from an old friend in their Week 9 divisional battle with the Miami Dolphins, when former Bills and current Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer was assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty on a Buffalo third-and-long late in the fourth quarter. not only extended the team’s final drive, but also helped put it in position for Tyler Bass’ game-winning 61-yard field goal.
Poyer, who manned the Bills’ defensive backfield for seven seasons before being released and signing with Miami in the spring, took the penalty with less than a minute left; Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen tried to find rookie wideout Keon Coleman deep downfield on a third-and-9, with Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith providing primary coverage. Poyer attempted to assist and break up the pass while Coleman was in the air, and although he interrupted the completion, he made contact with his helmet, with his attempt resulting in a head-to-head collision. This led to the unnecessary roughness penalty and the ultimate Bills field goal.
While Poyer’s goal was certainly not made with malicious intent, there was certainly personal contact during the game, albeit unintentional. That said, the veteran safety still feels it was a clean play, telling reporters after the game that he didn’t necessarily agree with the flag.
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“I thought it was a clean play,” Poyer said, according to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. “It feels like I put my helmet right in his chest. Just play football.”
Jordan Poyer said he felt the play he was penalized for was clean
He was disappointed; it felt like there was nothing else he could have done about that piece pic.twitter.com/YmVo3xUaR4
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) November 3, 2024
That’s quite a liberal use of the word “clean,” as the crown of Poyer’s helmet undoubtedly collided with Coleman’s chin and pushed his head back. It’s also an interesting choice of words, considering the rookie was injured during the game; the hit appeared to crack his hand under Poyer’s helmet, and he left the game with a wrist injury that will require further testing Monday.
Aside from the questionable play and subsequent defense, the Bills (barring a trade) won’t see Poyer again this season, having already beaten the Dolphins in both games of 2024. The team will have to keep their fingers crossed that Coleman doesn’t suffer a significant injury and that it will not suffer any long-term consequences from the last-minute penalty.
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