Discussing six things to watch in week 3’s Bills-Dolphins matchup. After a successful start to the 2022 season (2-0), the Bills will play their first Sunday afternoon game on September 24. In addition to being one of the most potent offences in the league, Buffalo will be facing them in their first regional game of the playoffs.
Mike McDaniel, a rookie coach who has previously beaten Bill Belichick and John Harbaugh after his first second game as just an NFL head coach, will be their opponent. For Sunday’s game in Miami, here are six plot threads to keep an eye on.
06 Things To Watch In Week 3’s Bills-Dolphins Matchup
Even though it is just Week 3, it would seem that this matchup is building up to be extremely important, and it has the potential to have huge repercussions on the fight for the AFC East later on in the season.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the most intriguing themes surrounding the upcoming event for the Buffalo Bills.
Two Perfect Teams From The Same Division Face Off
After two weeks of NFL action, the Chiefs, Eagles, Buccaneers, and Giants join the Bills and Dolphins as the only unbeaten teams. Only one AFC East club will remain unbeaten after this week’s action.
In their past seven meetings, Buffalo has come out on top by an average of 37 points. The Bills have indeed been dominating the Dolphins of late, but they’re well aware that this will be a much tougher fight.
With the NFL’s top receiver on their roster, Miami’s offensive has changed dramatically this season. They are coming off a come-from-behind victory over the Ravens and are averaging over 30 points per game.
Since the Bills are on a bye this week, head coach Sean McDermott stressed the significance of this week’s sessions. They seem to be playing at a high level, according to McDermott.
“They’re 2-0 against two very excellent football clubs,” said the coach, “so we’ve got to get some rest and then go back into the workforce here and put together a nice week of preparation.”
WR Talent On Display
Sunday’s game features Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. These teams countries for 509 passing yards in Week 2, more than some teams have scored in two games. The three are NFL’s finest receivers to open the season.
Diggs scored three touchdowns against last year’s AFC top seed. He’s the first player since Steve Smith (2007) with 250 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the first two games.
Diggs and Hill are two of five athletes in the Super Bowl era with at least three games with 140 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Diggs added, “They’re excellent at football.”
“They’ve always had a solid defence, but now their attack is dynamite. Hill (104 yac) and Waddle (116 yac) are third and second in yards after reception. Two Ravens receivers had over 170 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills in Week 2
McDermott feels Hill diversifies the Dolphins’ offence. “With Tyreek Hill, they have a lot of playmakers on offense, defense, and special teams,” McDermott said. “Very explosive on offence with downfield passes, yards after the reception, and it’s not just the wideouts, but Mike Gesicki and the running back.”
Offences Are Similar, But The Defenses Are Vastly Different
Given how well both teams have been doing offensively, this might turn out to be a high-scoring game. However, it will be fascinating to watch how both defences attempt to contain a squad that is averaging more than 30 points per game.
When it comes to scoring points, these two clubs have offensive statistics that are extremely comparable to one another. When contrasting the two teams’ defensive strategies, a completely different picture emerges.
Observing how each team’s defence plays out its game plan in response to an explosive attack will undoubtedly be fascinating to watch and will be a significant element in determining the winner of this matchup.
Buffalo Is Looking For Their 21st Consecutive Double-Digit Victory
The Bills have won their last 20 games by at least 10 points, and they’re looking for victory number 21 by at least that margin. Against the Titans, they picked up number 20, matching a Bears’ record that had stood since the NFL’s inception in 1941.
In large part due to Josh Allen, their quarterback, they have managed this absurd record. Allen has a 75.4% completion rate, which is second in the NFL, a 614-yard passing total, which ranks fourth, and a passer rating of 123.7, which ranks second.
The numbers versus the Dolphins show that Allen has really exploded. Allen has a 7-1 record in his career while starting at quarterback against Miami. He has passed for 21 touchdowns (out of a total of 25) and has a completion percentage of 106.8.
The 21 touchdowns Allen threw against the Dolphins are the most by any quarterback against a single team since Allen’s debut start in 2018. The Bills hold a 72-17 scoring advantage after two weeks of play.
Their +55 point difference through two games is the best in the NFL and the second best in franchise history. In six of Buffalo’s seven victories against Miami in the past decade, the Bills have scored at least 30 points.
Injury To Watch This Time
Several Bills players left Monday night’s game with injuries. Dane Jackson sustained a frightening neck injury and was hospitalized. Tests revealed no severe neck or spinal cord injuries. Jackson’s limbs move freely.
Sean McDermott said they’ll take Jackson day-by-day. Matt Milano (stinger), Micah Hyde (neck), and Jordan Phillips (hamstring) are all day-to-day. Ed Oliver (ankle), Tim Settle (calf), and Gabe Davis (ankle) are all improving.
The defence’s health will be crucial against the Dolphins’ offence, which has Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and others. McDermott said he wants guys to step up in the secondary because of uncertainty. McDermott: “We’ll need more of it this week” We anticipate whoever’s number is called to step up throughout the NFL season.
A Few Bills Are Returning Home For This One
The Bills are well aware of Miami’s reputation as an NFL talent factory due to the abundance of Floridians on their roster.
Miami’s James Cook, Riviera Beach’s Kaiir Elam, Hallandale Beach’s Zack Moss, Miami’s Isaiah McKenzie, Miami’s Jaquan Johnson, Deerfield Beach’s Devin Singletary, and Deerfield Beach’s Jaquan Johnson are all locals, as are the rest of the team’s running backs.
Because of football, several players and coaches were able to visit Miami. OC After four years (1999–2002) at Miami, Ken Dorsey departed as the school’s all-time winningest quarterback with a 38–2 record.
DE From 2018–2019, Greg Rousseau was also a player for the University of Miami. When it came to sacks in the ACC in 2019, Rousseau was unrivalled. He finished with 15. DE As a 2020 Dolphin, Shaq Lawson started seven games.
Finishing Off
Additionally, there will be a connection between brothers and sisters in the match that will take place on Sunday. Both Reid Ferguson, the long snapper, and his brother Blake Ferguson, who also plays the role of the long snapper, will battle against one another. They are really the only brothers in the history of the NFL to ever play the long snapping position for their respective teams.
