The Buffalo Bills will try to get back into the win column on Sunday when they take on the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Here are my three keys to game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Take Tua to the ground
The last time these two teams played, the Bills sacked Miami quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett a combined total of six times. That went a long way in holding Miami to season-lows of 216 total yards and 3.1 yards per-play, as well as blanking them on the scoreboard, 35-0.
After collecting 14 sacks in their first five games, the Bills defense didn’t get Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the ground once during their last game two weeks ago. They want to, and need to get back to sacking the quarterback in this contest.
2.) Touchdowns in the red zone
The Bills have scored the second-most points in the NFL this season, averaging 33.8 per-game. They’re also in the top-10 (and in most cases even higher) in almost every major offensive statistical category.
However, the Bills only converting 55.17% of their trips to the red zone into touchdowns, which is seventh-lowest in the league.
They had their best red zone performance of the season back in Week 2 in Miami against the Dolphins, going 4-for-4. However, their inability to convert (2-for-5) inside the 20-yard line against Tennessee in Week 6 really hurt them, and ultimately cost them a chance to win the game at the end.
They can’t let that happen again.
3.) Let Josh be Josh
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has basically owned the Dolphins' defense since he entered the league in 2018. His stat line against Miami is very impressive:
- 6-1 record
- Over 300 total yards per-game
- 22 total touchdowns
- Five interceptions
- Won AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors three different times after playing Miami.
The Dolphins' heavy man-to-man scheme, combined with not being able to get to the quarterback (sacks on only 4.41% of opponent dropbacks, which is third-worst in the league) has really played well into the skillset of Allen and the Bills’ wide receivers. Allen has averaged 318.5 yards passing over his last four games. The Dolphins defense has given up 328.2 per game over their last five and a whopping 358 over their last three.
This sets up to possibly be another huge game for Allen through the air, and the Bills should look to make that happen.
NOTES AND STATS:
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