ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — C.J. Spiller gave a knowing wink when assessing the impact the Buffalo Bills’ dynamic “Clemson Connection” made in a 29-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
“Yeah, that’s what we do,” Spiller said. “The only thing I was thinking was, ‘Man, what we could’ve done if we played together in college.’ ”
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Spiller, the Bills’ 2010 first-round pick out of Clemson, scored on a 102-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Sammy Watkins, a first-round pick this year, capped the next drive with a 12-yard touchdown catch.
The Dolphins (1-1) had no answers against their AFC East rival. Worse still, Miami sustained a potentially big blow when running back Knowshon Moreno, a key offseason addition, did not return after hurting his left elbow 11 minutes in.
The game began with a tribute to Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson, who died in March. And it came during an uplifting week in which the franchise’s long-term future was essentially secured: Wilson’s trust reached a “definitive agreement” to sell the team to Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula for an NFL-record $1.4 billion.
In addition to his kickoff return, Spiller also set up Watkins’ touchdown with a 47-yard run. EJ Manuel hit Watkins on a crossing pattern over the middle, and the receiver got the ball just inside the right pylon.
Watkins finished with eight catches for 117 yards.
WASHINGTON 41, JAGUARS 10: Robert Griffin III dislocated his left ankle and DeSean Jackson sprained his left shoulder in the first quarter, but backup quarter Kirk Cousins completed 22 of 33 passes for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Washington (1-1) routed visiting Jacksonville (0-2).
Griffin was carted to the locker room with his leg in a splint and could be out for two months. He will undergo X-rays to determine if the ankle is broken.
CARDINALS 25, GIANTS 14: Ted Ginn Jr. returned a punt 71 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and visiting Arizona (2-0) forced four turnovers in a win over New York (0-2).
CHARGERS 30, SEAHAWKS 21: Antonio Gates had three touchdown catches, and Philip Rivers was 28 of 37 for 284 yards to lead San Diego (1-1) to a win over visiting Seattle (1-1).
BROWNS 26, SAINTS 24: Billy Cundiff kicked a 29-yard field goal with 3 seconds left as Cleveland (1-1) snapped a nine-game losing streak in home openers and gave rookie coach Mike Pettine his first NFL win.
PACKERS 31, JETS 24: Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns, Jordy Nelson had a career-high 209 yards receiving and Green Bay (1-1) rallied from an 18-point deficit against visiting New York (1-1).
BENGALS 24, FALCONS 10: Running back Giovani Bernard picked up a depleted offense by running for 90 yards, and Cincinnati (2-0) won its home opener to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2006.
BRONCOS 24, CHIEFS 17: Terrance Knighton batted away Alex Smith’s fourth-and-goal pass to Dwayne Bowe with 15 seconds left as Denver (2-0) held off visiting Kansas City (0-2).
PANTHERS 24, LIONS 7: Cam Newton made a successful return to the field, throwing for 281 yards and a touchdown after missing the season opener because of a rib injury as host Carolina moved to 2-0 for the first time since 2008.
COWBOYS 26, TITANS 10: DeMarco Murray ran for 167 yards and a touchdown and Dan Bailey kicked four field goals as Dallas (1-1) spoiled the home debut for Tennessee Coach Ken Whisenhunt.
TEXANS 30, RAIDERS 14: Defensive end J.J. Watt caught a 1-yard touchdown pass and Arian Foster ran for 138 yards and a score as Houston (2-0) rolled to a win at Oakland (0-2).
RAMS 19, BUCCANEERS 17: Greg Zuerlein’s fourth field goal, a 38-yarder with 38 seconds remaining, gave St. Louis (1-1) a win at Tampa Bay (0-2).
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