Buffalo N.Y. (WGR 550) - Following back-to-back victories within the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills face one of their biggest tests of the season, as they get set to host the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.
In their last matchup with Miami back in Week 3, the Bills suffered their first loss of the season, as they got beat by the heat of South Florida. Many of the players had to come off the field during the game due heat-related issues, including cramps and sickness.
Josh Allen did all he could to keep his team in the game despite the loss, throwing for 400 yards on 42-of-63 attempts and two touchdowns. The Buffalo offense was also able to control the pace of play in the loss, holding the ball for 40:40 of game clock compared to the Dolphins' 19:20.
Despite being without the likes of safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, as well as cornerback Tre’Davious White, the Buffalo defense was still able to hold Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to only 186 yards passing.
Several weeks later, the Bills now hold a two-game lead in the AFC East with a 10-3 record, as Miami stays in the race with an 8-5 record.
Heading into Saturday night's contest in Orchard Park, the weather is, once again, expected to be a factor for the game. This time, though, it is expected to be much colder with snow likely to make playing conditions interesting during the contest.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott joined the “Extra Point Show” on WGR for his weekly appearance during the season. At the top of his appearance, he said only two players will be ruled out for the game, as defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and guard Ryan Bates will miss the game due to injury.
McDermott was also asked about the health status of offensive lineman Ike Boettger, who is battling his way back from a torn Achilles suffered late last season. McDermott said Boettger continues to get better, as his deadline approaches to be activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list before needing to be place on Injured Reserve.
The Bills were busy this week, as they brought back a familiar name in wide receiver Cole Beasley, as he was signed to the team's practice squad. McDermott has felt that Beasley has been his safety blanket for Allen.
“Cole has a great feel for the game, and extreme intelligence for the game," McDermott said with Sal Capaccio and Joe DiBiase. "He’s definitely done that for us in the past, and we’ll see moving forward.”
After the signing, McDermott said Beasley is off to a good start with him practicing on Wednesday. Bills general manager Brandon Beane did not rule out the possibility that he could play on Saturday against the Dolphins.
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With the Dolphins coming to town, the big play capabilities with Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill at wide receiver can be a huge problem for the Bills. McDermott knows their speed can be a problem.
"You can play as well as the teams have played, perhaps defensively, the last couple of weeks, but even within that, it is really hard," McDermott said. "It's a really big challenge to really try and contain their speed with [Hill] and [Waddle], in particular. They've just got incredible speed, probably unmatched around the NFL."
Hear more from McDermott's appearance during the "Extra Point Show" available in the player below:
