Bills run to win over Dallas
Location:Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Overall records:Buffalo (7-8), Dallas (4-11)
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In a Nutshell: **In a game without LeSean McCoy, Buffalo's top ranked rushing attack proved they could still be productive. Karlos Williams, Mike Gillislee and QB Tyrod Taylor combined for 236 rushing yards on 40 carries with Buffalo's only two touchdowns coming on the ground as the Bills pulled away from the Cowboys late in a 16-6 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Buffalo had modest leads of 6-3 and 9-6 in a game where both defenses carried the play, but a 50-yard run by Mike Gillislee with just under three minutes remaining sealed the game for the Bills. It was the third straight week in which Gillislee reached the end zone for Buffalo.
The Bills victory helped them improve to 7-8 on the season.
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How it went down: **--Dallas got on the board first as Dan Bailey provided a 46-yard field goal to cap the Cowboys' opening drive for an early 3-0 lead just over five minutes into the game.
--Karlos Williams provided the scoring on Buffalo's opening drive with a one-yard touchdown run to finish off an 11-play 52-yard possession. Dan Carpenter however, missed the extra point near the end of the first quarter (6-3).
--The Cowboys tied the score with five minutes remaining in the half on a 22-yard field goal by Dan Bailey.
--The Bills put themselves ahead a second time with six minutes left in the third quarter when Carpenter put a 32-yard attempt up and through for a 9-6 lead.
--Buffalo finally put the game away when Mike Gillislee ran for a 50-yard touchdown down the right sideline with 2:34 remaining (16-6).
Subplots:Buffalo's special teams recovered a fumble on a kick return when A.J. Tarpley forced Lucky Whitehead to cough up the ball and then recovered the fumble right after the Bills had gone up 16-6 late in the game.
Tyrod Taylor set the single-season rushing record by a quarterback in team history with his 67 rushing yards Sunday to give him 517 on the season.
A.J. Tarpley made his first career interception off a deflected pass forced by Leodis McKelvin with the Bills up three in the third quarter.
With his one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, Karlos Williams became the first Bills rookie to score eight touchdowns in a season since Lee Evans in 2004 (nine).
Mike Gillislee ran for a touchdown in his third straight game.
Dan Carpenter missed his fifth extra point attempt of the season when he hit his first kick of the day off the left upright.
Marcus Easley was carted off the field with a left knee injury in the first half and was promptly declared out for the game.
Marcell Dareus left the game with a shoulder injury in the first half and did not return.
Inactives:QB Josh Johnson, RB LeSean McCoy, CB Ronald Darby, LB Nigel Bradham, DE/OLB Max Valles, TE Charles Clay, DE Lavar Edwards.
Up next:The Bills close out the 2015 season at 1 pm Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Photos of the action from the Buffalo Bills Week 16 win at home over the Dallas Cowboys.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor takes the field prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams, left, and Buffalo Bills strong safety Leodis McKelvin compete for a pass from Cowboys quarterback Kellen Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) avoids a tackle by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills celebrate a touchdown run by Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee, left, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor celebrate Gillislee's touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 16-6. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams, right, runs as Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deji Olatoye makes a diving attempt at a tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Dallas Cowboys' Lucky Whitehead (13) stiff-arms Buffalo Bills' Corey Graham (20) while returning a punt during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) tries to get away from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) and strong safety Barry Church (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Tarpley (59) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kellen Moore during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden, center, is tackled by Buffalo Bills free safety Corey Graham, left, and strong safety Bacarri Rambo during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee, right, breaks away on a touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 16-6. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
El corredor de los Bills de Buffalo, Mike Gillislee, derecha, se escapa para anotar un touchdown en carrera de 50 yardas en contra de los Cowboys de Dallas, durante la segunda mitad de su partido de la NFL el domingo 27 de diciembre de 2015, en Orchard Park, Nueva York. Los Bills ganaron 16-6. (Foto AP/Bill Wippert)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kellen Moore (17) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
