In the aftermath of the Buffalo Bills’ narrow 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Jordan Poyer expressed frustration over a late unnecessary roughness penalty that he felt was unwarranted. Speaking to the media, Poyer defended his hit, saying, “Just playing football. I thought it was a clean play. I felt I put my helmet right in his chest.” He emphasized his confusion about what he could have done differently during the play, maintaining that he did not stop his momentum and aimed to hit in the appropriate area.
However, officials determined that Poyer’s helmet made contact with Dolphins receiver Keon Coleman’s helmet, leading to the penalty. This infraction was significant as it kept the Bills’ drive alive and ultimately set up Tyler Bass for a game-winning 61-yard field goal. Coleman was injured on the play, appearing to gesture toward his arm, and was later seen wearing a brace on his right wrist.
Despite the penalty’s impact on the game, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel refrained from criticizing Poyer. He acknowledged Poyer’s aggressive playstyle as necessary for success in the NFL, while also recognizing the importance of adhering to the rules regarding player safety. McDaniel stated, “You have to play aggressive in this game for success,” but also noted that players must be mindful of the “strike zone” to avoid penalties.
As the Dolphins fall to a disappointing 2-6 this season, the focus now turns to how they can rebound from this loss and address the challenges that lie ahead, particularly with key players like Coleman potentially affected by injuries.
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