The Buffalo Bills’ hopes for another statement win were washed away — quite literally — on a rain-soaked Sunday in Miami. In a game that turned into a wet, slippery mess, quarterback Josh Allen took full responsibility for Buffalo’s loss, admitting that the weather conditions played a major role but insisting the blame was his alone.
“It Was Tough — The Ball Was Slippery, and I Missed Throws”
After the game, Allen didn’t hide behind excuses. Instead, he faced the cameras with the same accountability that has defined his leadership in Buffalo.
“It was tough out there,” Allen said. “The rain made the ball feel like a bar of soap. I missed throws I should’ve made. That’s on me — no excuses.”
From the opening snap, it was clear that weather would be a factor. Heavy rain poured over Hard Rock Stadium, making every play a gamble. The Bills offense, usually sharp and precise, struggled to find rhythm as Allen’s passes slipped through the hands of receivers or veered off target. The quarterback fumbled twice and overthrew two potential touchdowns in the red zone, critical mistakes that shifted momentum to the Miami Dolphins.
Bills Offense Out of Sync in the Rain
Buffalo’s game plan — built around Allen’s arm strength and downfield accuracy — was nearly impossible to execute in the slick conditions. Short passes slipped, timing routes collapsed, and footing on the wet turf became a constant battle.
“We couldn’t get into our rhythm,” Allen admitted. “Every time we tried to push downfield, something slipped — either the ball, the timing, or my grip. I’ve got to find a way to adjust better next time.”
Running back James Cook added 67 rushing yards but lost traction multiple times, while Stefon Diggs had two uncharacteristic drops. Even kicker Tyler Bass struggled with footing, missing a 43-yard field goal late in the second quarter.
Defense Fought, But Turnovers Proved Costly
Despite the offensive struggles, Buffalo’s defense held strong for most of the first half. Linebacker Matt Milano recorded 8 tackles and a key stop on third down, while cornerback Tre’Davious White returned to form with tight coverage against Tyreek Hill.
But turnovers sealed the Bills’ fate. Two fumbles and one interception gave Miami short fields to work with, and the Dolphins capitalized with 17 points off those mistakes.
“Our defense played their hearts out,” Allen said. “When you turn the ball over like that, you put them in impossible situations. That’s on me. I’ve got to protect the football.”
McDermott Defends His Quarterback
Head coach Sean McDermott stood by his quarterback after the game, praising Allen’s leadership and refusal to deflect blame.
“Josh is the kind of guy who always owns it,” McDermott said. “Yes, the rain played a part, but this was a team loss. We win together, we lose together.”
Still, McDermott acknowledged that the team must adapt better to challenging weather — a particularly ironic lesson given Buffalo’s own unpredictable climate.
Fans React: “It Was the Rain Game From Hell”
Bills fans flooded social media after the loss, dubbing it “The Rain Game From Hell.” While some criticized Allen’s decision-making, many defended him, pointing to the impossible throwing conditions.
“You could see it — every snap was a struggle. He couldn’t even grip the ball,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Others called for better preparation for wet-weather scenarios, especially with winter approaching and playoff implications on the line.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Buffalo remains in the playoff race with plenty of football left to play. The team will look to bounce back next week at home, where drier — and hopefully calmer — conditions await.
Allen, however, isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“We’ll be better,” he said. “Games like this test you — mentally, physically, emotionally. We learn, we move on, and we’ll come back stronger.”
As the rain-soaked loss fades into memory, one thing remains clear: Josh Allen’s willingness to shoulder the blame — even when nature itself seemed against him — continues to define his leadership and the spirit of the Buffalo Bills.