The Miami Dolphins opened a very large can of whoop-ass on the Buffalo Bills Thursday night, decimating the Bills 22-9 in a game that was slathered in playoff implications. The winner of this game would move on to challenge for the AFC East title, the loser would be on the outside looking in.
But the Dolphins came into the game with more baggage. Buffalo had beaten them the last three games, and the last four out of five. The Bills also obliterated Miami in their Week 2 meeting.
But the Fins would overcome an uneven first half and came out guns blazing in the second. Yet everyone on the losing end -- from Bills fans to Bills players -- were unable to take the ass-kicking and go home quietly. As it happens after a huge rivalry, people got super salty.
See also: 9 Reasons Buffalo Bills Fans Are the Worst
The issue seems to be over some calls by the referees that went the Dolphins' way, including an intentional grounding call that gave Miami a safety.
Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes started the salt-off after the game.
Hughes was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after he yelled at and then bumped a ref for falling to call holding, but decided that was somehow not his fault.
"I've never see a holding call missed at the point of an attack like that," Hughes said after the game. "I'm at a loss for words."
He then decided to lose 200 grand in fines by continuing to pour salt all the place.
Also, he doesn't seem to know what "loss for words" means because he kept talking.
"I did yell because I did get held on that play," Hughes told ESPN.com. "I made sure I yelled, 'Holding.' Whatever else came after that, I really don't know. I don't know."
And Bills fans, who are not known for their gentlemanly conduct, went all in on the salt parade on Twitter. Some reporters also chimed in.
Salt was had by all:
#nfl has it in for #Bills 2 crappy calls that resulted in points- safety and phantom pass interference- and the non playoff streak intact
— Stephen Boyer (@boyereye) November 14, 2014
Ben Volin -- who used to cover the Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post and was a big Jeff Ireland apologist -- was also filled with the salt. He now covers the Patriots. WE'RE COMING FOR YOU BEN!:
#Bills fans have a right to be upset tonight. The intentional grounding/safety and pass interference on Wallace were terrible calls
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 14, 2014
Also that ref that called that terrible pass interference on Bills must have bet on Dolphins.
— John Canton (@johnreport) November 14, 2014
Questionable intentional grounding, questionable interference call. Game decided by zebras. #Bills #Dolphins
— Tyler Misner (@Sabres88) November 14, 2014
One of the worst calls I've seen this year. #terrible #Bills
— Sage Rosenfels (@SageRosenfels18) November 14, 2014
The refs are trying to bury the Bills again; horrible pass interference call
— Fred Smerlas (@FredSmerlas) November 14, 2014
#Bills get hosed. Gilmore didn't commit pass interference vs. Wallace. Oh, well...
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) November 14, 2014
Bills fans can complain about the officiating in this one.
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) November 14, 2014
Don't worry, Bills. The note of apology you're gonna get from the league will make up for it.
— SI_DougFarrar (@SI_DougFarrar) November 14, 2014
Even the One Tree Hill guy was all salty:
Worst officiated game I've ever seen in NFL HISTORY... Small market teams don't get love do they? @nfl @buffalobills
— Chad Michael Murray (@ChadMMurray) November 14, 2014
Also, this happened:
Jarvis Landry shakes a defender out of his shoes.
Hits the endzone.
Then hits the whip dance! #TNF #BUFvsMIA http://t.co/kiyusZM56a
— NFL (@nfl) November 14, 2014
Bottom line, the Dolphins wrecked Buffalo ass, and Buffalo can't deal with it. While some calls could gave gone either way, the Bills had plenty of chances to win this game.
The Bills recovered a Jarvis Landry fumble, which could have easily been called not a fumble by the refs. The Bills were able to move the ball against the Dolphins' stingy defense all night, but just couldn't capitalize. The Bills missed a crucial field goal.
So, sure, some calls may have gone Miami's way. But those calls didn't decide this game.
Ryan Tannehill's toe-thumbs and the Dolphins' badassery did.
@DatRoroKid #toeThumbs pic.twitter.com/LuzetajYm6
— Jessee Lopez (@jlopez_423) November 14, 2014
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