Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins during Super Wild Card Weekend in the NFL playoffs on Sunday. A win will advance the Bills to the AFC Divisional Round for the third-consecutive season.
In order to do that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
Credit: Rich Storry - USA TODAY Sports
1.) Smother Skylar
The Dolphins will be starting rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson on Sunday.
Thompson has only started two NFL games, and has only seen action in seven contests this year. Miami also has several injuries along their offensive line.
The Bills need to take advantage of those backup linemen, and make sure Thompson doesn’t have any time in the pocket when he drops back. Even if he does have time, confuse Thompson and show him things he hasn’t seen before when he wants to throw.
Mark Konezny - USA TODAY Sports
2.) Handle the blitz
The Dolphins already blitz at one of the highest rates in the entire NFL. They will most likely want to be even more aggressive in this one to try and create plays on defense, knowing their offense may not be able to score as many points with a third string quarterback.
The Bills' offensive line needs to be prepared and ready for all different kinds of stunts and blitzes coming at them, and Josh Allen has to be able to find his hot reads and outlets when warranted.
Gregory Fisher - USA TODAY Sports
3.) Be ready for special teams tricks
Dolphins special teams coach, and former Bills special teams coach Danny Crossman has been known to try a fake, or other sort of trick play, especially in critical games and moments.
Expect one at some point from Miami in a playoff game where they will be heavy underdogs, and will most likely try everything in their arsenal to make a big play or two.
The Bills' special teams units have to understand it can come at any time in the game, and at any point on the field, to not allow the Dolphins to be successful when it does.
NOTES AND STATS:
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