Miami Gardens, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills are in South Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
A win for the Bills will bring them their fourth-straight AFC East championship, while a loss could mean they’re out of the playoffs, depending on how other things go on Sunday.
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Here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Take advantage of a depleted pass rush
The Dolphins have lost, arguably, their top-two pass rushers to injuries over the last month-and-a-half.
Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb had combined for 17.5 sacks on the season. Miami still has Zach Sieler and Christian Wilkins, but they may have to generate more pressure through blitzing, and the Bills can concentrate more on those two players on passing downs.
When those times come up, Buffalo should have a little more breathing room to throw the ball, and needs to take advantage of that.
2.) Get the passing game going again
The Bills’ passing game has struggled recently, throwing for 230 yards or less combined net yards (including sack yardage lost) in each of the last four games. That has to change.
Whether it’s Stefon Diggs' production or James Cook being more involved, or downfield shots, which have been lacking, the Bills have to throw the ball better and more efficiently than they have, especially considering Miami’s ability to score on offense.
3.) Throw Miami’s timing off
The Dolphins rely on a timing passing game. When they’re on, there may be no better team in the NFL throwing the ball.
The Bills have done a nice job disrupting that timing the last few times the teams have played. However, Miami has definitely had their moments of success.
The Dolphins are also better at home, where they can communicate easier. The Bills’ ability to disrupt that timing through defensive scheme, and not allowing Tua Tagovailoa to throw immediately to his first read as soon as he wants to will be key to getting them off the field earlier.
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