Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills defense had a huge game this past Sunday against the Washington Commanders to improve to 2-1 on the 2023 season.
While the Commanders may not be the most dangerous offensive team in the league, it's about to get much more challenging come Sunday in Orchard Park.
The 3-0 Miami Dolphins are set to make their annual trip to Highmark Stadium in Week 4 after pulling off a huge win of their own. They went on to curb-stomp the Denver Broncos in a near record-setting performance, 70-20, at Hard Rock Stadium. No team in the NFL has managed to put up 70 points in a single game since 1966.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott knows what the Dolphins offense brings to the table, and understands how hard it will be to contain their top weapons.
"They are all as advertised," said McDermott ahead of Wednesday's practice. "They're explosive, anybody that touches the ball can score. Whether it's what you think is gonna be a two-yard run, turns into a crease and a gasher. Same thing with the passing game. Coach [Mike] McDaniel does a good job of moving guys around, creating different styles of offense. It's a handful."
One main emphasis in the Dolphins' offensive game has been their effectiveness with running the football. Rookie De'Von Achane rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries against the Broncos, while Raheem Mostert accounted for three scores on the ground on 82 yards.
McDermott noted this isn't the same backfield the Bills saw last year, so they will need to be prepared.
"It's clear that they stress that, they emphasize that," McDermott said. "They do a really good job schematically putting the players in the position, the blocking schemes. Also they have weapons in the backfield that, as I said earlier, all three backs can go, you give them a crease and they're gonna be gone. I think their running back depth, the style of runners they have; In Week 3 last year, they didn't have all those pieces. Now they've got three guys that can all go."
Despite the high octane offense Miami brings to the table, the Bills defense has some weapons of their own. McDermott believes players like veteran pass rusher Leonard Floyd and reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week, Terrell Bernard could be huge difference makers for the defense.
"They are a catalyst to us playing good defense. We have to have that every week. A point of attack in the run game and also effecting the pass game," McDermott said. "The challenge this week is, the ball comes out so fast so we've gotta find some how, some way. Tua has only been sacked one time I think all year, if I'm not mistaken. it's very impressive."
Hear more of McDermott's comments with the media available in the player below:
Losi and Gangi
