Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins face off in a pivotal AFC East matchup in Week 4 of the 2023 season on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
For the Bills, they’ll need to win to avoid falling two games behind Miami in the division.
To do that, here are my three keys, plus notes and stats for the game:
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1.) Disrupt timing to slow down Dolphins
The Dolphins bring with them the best offense in the NFL, including putting up historic numbers last week against the Denver Broncos.
They are incredibly fast, and can win by both passing and running the ball. Their passing offense relies a lot on timing, from plenty of motion to passing routes and quick throws from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Bills will need to disrupt that timing and rhythm, and force Tagovailoa to go to his second and third reads. If they can do that, it will give their pass rush a chance to get to him, even just by causing incompletions if not sacks.
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2.) Don’t allow big plays... and tackle
The Dolphins have the capability of striking from anywhere on the field via pass or run. They already have 10 runs of 20 yards or more, including four runs of, at least, 40 yards. They also have 17 pass plays of, at least, 20 yards.
The Bills defense has been excellent under head coach Sean McDermott in not allowing big pass plays against. They’ll have to continue to do that in this one, and force the Dolphins to try to stay patient.
In both the running and passing game, it will be imperative for the Bills defense to tackle well. Otherwise, even the plays that could be stopped for short gains may be tuned into really big ones.
Gregory Fisher - USA TODAY Sports
3.) End drives with scores
The Bills can’t allow the Miami offense to have extra possessions. Not only will any turnover give the Dolphins more opportunities, so will punts.
Going into this week, these two teams have each punted only five times, tied for the fewest amount in the NFL. Obviously all teams always want to, but Buffalo will really need to end drives with scores in this game not only to put up points each time they touch the ball, but to keep Miami’s offense off the field in the process.
NOTES AND STATS:
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