Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deonte Harty created NFL history after he scored a 96-yard punt return at the start of the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s victory over the Miami Dolphins,
In their season finale, the Bills forced a 14-point tie between the two teams competing for the top spot in the AFC East thanks to the full-field run. In the end, Buffalo won 21–14 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Harty’s score after a 96-yard return is the second of his career and the first for the Bills since 2020. In addition, it surpasses Keith Moody’s 91-yard return against the Browns in 1977 to become the longest in team history.
Following another notable touchdown to put the Bills ahead in the second quarter, came the return.
Josh Allen found the end zone with a pass from the quarterback while the Bills were on the ten-yard line. Before Bills wide receiver Trent Sherfield, who was barely able to maintain his feet in bounds, made the catch, the pigskin deflected off the helmet of a Dolphins defender.
Just over seven minutes remained in the game, and Buffalo was up 21-14 thanks to a touchdown from Allen and Dawson Knox shortly after Harty knotted the score.
Allen completed 30 of 38 throws for 359 yards, leading the way for the Bills. With 15 carries for 67 yards, he was also Buffalo’s most prolific runner.
The comeback victory helped Buffalo win the AFC East for the fourth time in a row, despite the fact that both teams now have an 11-6 record.
Riding a five-game winning streak, the Bills will enter the playoffs. The Bills recovered their rhythm to close off the regular season with a good showing, having begun the season by unevenly splitting their first 12 games.
The Bills, now the No. 2 seed in the AFC, will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round.
The Dolphins, seeded sixth, will play the Kansas City Chiefs, whom they have already lost to 21 times this season.