It’s only the 4th week of the NFL season, but this matchup against our division rival Buffalo Bills is quite an interesting matchup. The Bills, despite having a 2-1 record have allowed and NFL 2nd best 11.7 PPG. On the flip side, the Miami Dolphins offense have scored an NFL leading 43.3 PPG, mostly due to the 70 point output last week against the Denver Broncos. What makes this matchup so fascinating to me, the Dolphins defense was supposed to be an improved unit, perhaps even a top unit, while the Bills were expected to take a step back after losing LB Tremaine Edmunds in FA to the Chicago Bears. So far, the Bills are just a hair behind the Cleveland Browns who have allowed an NFL low 10.7 PPG, while the Vic Fangio Dolphins unit has allowed 23.7 PPG good for a below average 20th in the NFL. So something has to give here, with the NFL best offense against very close to the best NFL defense. Oh, by the way, the Bills are 2nd in the NFL in scoring, right behind our Dolphins at 30.3 PPG. Dolphins fans who are looking at this game as an easy Dolphins win simply aren’t looking at this game realistically. The last 3 meetings have been decided by 3 points or less.
One of the most surprising changes in the Buffalo Bills offense is the return of their rushing attack. We all know how dangerous QB Josh Allen is rushing the football, but last year’s 2nd RD pick, James Cook has 267 yards, while QB Josh Allen has just 89 yards rushing. Perhaps even more of a turnaround, the Dolphins rushing attack has been even more impressive, no doubt mostly due to the offensive output against the Broncos last week. While the Bills have 448 yards rushing, the Dolphins have 565 yards rushing, and the 15 lbs of muscle that Raheem Mostert added are paying dividends, as Mostert has 240 yards rushing and an eye opening 6 TD’s. The debut of rookie De’Von Achane was off the charts, 208 yards on just 19 carries for an absurd 10.9 YPC. Passing is not quite as even. Josh Allen has a pedestrian 90.3 passer rating, in large part due to his 5 TD’s and 4 INT’s with 728 yards passing. On the flip side, QB Tua Tagovailoa has a 121.9 QBR with 8 TD’s and only 2 INT’s and 1024 yards passing.
As you all know, I just hate when our players get caught in the hype machine, and our young 3rd year LB Jaelan Phillips has been absolutely crushed by it. It appears as if Jaelan Phillps will miss the Buffalo game, and it looks likely that C Connor Williams may also miss this contest with a groin injury. Williams still has a chance to play, and although LT Terron Armstead only logged a limited practice yesterday, he’s likely to play. Unfortunately, this is the wrong week to have anyone on this O-line out, especially considering how well this unit has performed. Good news is WR Jaylen Waddle has been cleared from concussion protocol and got in a full practice yesterday. If Connor Williams can’t go, Liam Eichenberg will likely play C, and while his snaps are more accurate than his predecessor Connor Williams, we all know his blocking hasn’t been up to snuff. Like I said, bad week to make O-line substitutions.
While the Dolphins were pouring it on with a record breaking 10 offensive TD’s last week, The Bills defense pounded Commanders QB Sam Howell all day long to the tune of 9 sacks, 4 INT’s and 1 forced fumble and fumble recovery. Truth is, if we’re being honest, I know I expected a much better defense here in Miami with Vic Fangio. It’s also very early in the season, we haven’t yet completed a 1/4 of the season and it can definitely take time for a scheme to take hold. It’s not that the defense has been awful, it just hasn’t been better than last year, which in and of itself is a disappointment. The Bills have 12 sacks, our defense has 8, not a huge disparity, and much like our offensive numbers are skewed by last weeks Broncos game, the Bills are defensive numbers are aided by their dominant game against the Commanders.
To be clear, it’s still very possible that C Connor Williams plays, he did log a limited practice yesterday, so I wouldn’t rule him out. It’s just that you don’t want to exacerbate an injury any further and lose that player for an extended period of time, but if he can go, as I previously mentioned, this is not the week for an O-line substitution. For some bad news, both WR’s River Cracraft (shoulder) and Erik Ezukanma (neck) both did not practice, but I remind you that Jaylen Waddle will be suiting up. This means opportunities for Berrios who has already been wonderful, and Robbie Chosen who caught his first TD last week in a Dolphins uniform. Our old friend AVG, Andrew Van Ginkel has played so well this season, and surely has had a much larger role in this defense, both week 1 where he played inside, and then of course last week because of Jaelan Phillps injury. I would like to point out something that concerns me, our 2 top tacklers thus far this season are DB’s. Safeties Jevon Holland (33), and DeShon Elliott (22) are tops, and not too far behind are CB’s Kader Kohou (16) and Xavien Howard (15). I would think this is not a good trend, and hopefully once the Fangio defensive scheme takes hold, this will even out.
I really don’t know what to expect, although I would be surprised if this was an offensive shootout. I feel like these divisional games are much more measured and careful, and although last year’s playoff game was a 34-31 shootout of sorts, I think the scores will be lower. There’s a lot on the line for such an early season matchup, but the Bills don’t want the Dolphins to have a 2 game advantage on them, and the Dolphins would like nothing more to potentially be the only undefeated team in the NFL and also hold a 2 game edge on their division rival Bills, who have won the division each of the last 3 seasons. I expect us to try and run the ball often, and don’t expect another 300 + yards rushing for the Dolphins. Josh Allen loves playing against us, he owns us, he’s 9-2, but more importantly, 6-0 at home in Buffalo. For perspective, I’ll remind you that our last 3 games against the Bills have been decided by 3 points or less (34-31), (32-29), and a Dolphins victory (21-19). All I know is this is MUST WATCH TV!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Hey, we can be the first team to score 70 one week and then give up 70 the next week!!
It’s trending that way.
Yes.
I’m sick of sitting the bed in skidmark stadium
Shitting
That grab ass patty cake BS on the Diggs TD on Kohou and Jones was embarrassing
We’re going to end up being the #31 Defense… better than only the Broncos, after this game.
MIKE E! STFU
AHEM
Miami is the first team to score 70 points two games in a row…
THAT is what needs to be put out in the universe! OMG the half time adjustments by the mad scientist Mike McDaniel and Tua’s MBP performance in the second half….
Shit typo LOL
It’s time to unleash Cam Smith. Darth Kader’s respirator has short-circuited against Diggs.
Either that, or have X follow Diggs.
We need more punishing tacklers.
We need a guy who lays the wood on RBs trying to run up the gut.
We need to draft the best MLB/ILB we can afford.
Trade up if necessary.
We do not get much out of our guys at that position
besides drag down from behind tackles.
I’ve always called it “The search for the next Brian Urlacher”. You’ve joined my club! 😀
Will there ever be another LT?
I hope there was a really good half time speach!
Bills pressuring Tua pretty consistently now. Hopefully he stays healthy.
Armstead already down again with his annual injuries.
Achane is a great draft pick
Everything I hoped he be and 10x more
Not sure about going for 2 but that was a big score
It was a smart decision too for 2 if the game gets into the 40s
I didn’t get it at first, but it does make sense if you assume you defense is going to continue to give up TDs.
And even not converting it, since we held them to a fg, if we convert on our next 2 pt attempt, we’re still good (assuming we score a TD).
Rockphin says:
October 1, 2023 at 2:50 pm (Edit)
I hope there was a really good half time speach!
It was… in the Bills locker room.
I guess that play is going g to close the benefit of pressure debate
I just can’t get over how bad this defense is
It’s unbelievable really
I will take that
It’s a win. Our offense has to opportunity to get this back to a one score game.
Man, Waddle as wide open on that sack
I thought that with Jordan Poyer being out… and now down to their 3rd best CB opposite T. White, our WRs were going to have a day.
Now is the time to start unleashing ‘Reek & Da Penguin.
We need to draft a center
We’ve needed to do that for years. Eich is playing pretty well though, all things considered.
First time a rookie has 4 TD’s in back to back games
LET’S GO ACHANE
And that is game
That should end it
A team which can’t snap the ball deserves to win squat.
Man, don’t we just see a crucial INT by Tua in EVERY game against Buffalo?
Not last year
Well no, because he didn’t play in the playoff game
But in both regular season games he was clean
It was bound to happen. We got a lot of bounces go our way, eventually it has to the other way
We easily could have had 3 or 4 turnovers and be down a lot more in this game
Sucks
Bills just making it look easy
Well, 3-1. Hopefully we can win the next two and show up against Philly. Otherwise the narrative will be the same as last year that we “beat all the bad teams but the good ones”. Until we start doing that, all the critics will be right.
Extremely disappointed in my team today.
🦍😢😢
Peace out
At least Steelers, Browns and Colts are losing.
Pats at Cowboys and Jets home vs Chiefs later.
Maybe it will ease the later in the day
I really thought with the change in defensive scheme we’d perform better against the Bills, but Boyer’s defense was much better in all 3 games last year than anything Fangio’s defense showed today.
Horrible spot
We need to get out of Buffalo without injuries.
Not a first down
It doesn’t have to be to win the challenge
WTF is that crayon looking shit the coaches are wearing?
My first thought was 🌈 colors for LGBTQ+, but not sure about that
He wins the challenge just by moving the ball up
I dont understand how anyone can think that’s a bad challenge
They marked him a yard short. If anything he was inches short
I didn’t think there was anyway we win that. Ball was clearly out of bounds when he started to advance it forward
Bad play call
Just horrible.
Stupid fucking play call
How was that not defensive holding on Tyreek?
There is a high lever of fuckery going on
Just another big game this team didn’t show up for
D sub standard and OL substandard against a good D. Cancel that play-off run
McD gets a little too cute on 4th down.
I warned y’all about Ed Oliver… he’s been on FIRE.
Tredavious is out for the year.
Time to run the ball and avoid a 70 slapping
I just smashed my PS4 controller
Embarrassing. This defense got nuthin!!
WTF?!!!
With TreDavious White out, we should be able to fire at will in the passing game.
How about giving it to the FB or Brooks on 4th and 1 behind Hunt and Jackson?
Feel bad for White, he knows it’s bad.😔
Believe it or not, this game is NOT over for us!
Sorry, what was that you say?
Piggy if you would be so kind as to retweet that on X for me please!
This Vic Fangio defense isn’t doing much. WTFVF?
Tackling drills might be something he might want to do. Geez!!!!!
It’s one thing to lose, another story altogether to get beat down. The narrative as so many NFL fans hoped we’re that the Dolphins are pretenders, and watching this game makes it hard to argue otherwise. Hopefully we come out healthy, the Bills are getting fucked with injuries
mf13ss says:
October 1, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Believe it or not, this game is NOT over for us!
—————–
??? LOL
They probably put up 60 on us.
That didn’t age well… 😂
Okay, NOW it’s over for us. SMH
You guys are about 2 minutes ahead of me!
Bengals getting crushed 27-3 by the Titans
Something good to come from this game
Achane is for real
Retweet what Rock?
Well that should have been a hold
Not that it would matter
Yuck, just run rhe damn ball
This is a big ol reality check after last week.
We have to find an answer to tight press coverage .
I warned about this, too!
Go deep
press keeps our smurfs from getting off the LOS
so no time to get deep.
They will beat press coverage more often than not especially Hill who is strong as hell
Problem has been pass rush. No time for Tua to look deep today
Our defense is the weak link. They’ve been horrible today.
They’ve been horrible all year long, my man.
Not like this.
Greg Rousseau > Jaelan Phillips
I disagree
I hope you’re right, man. We shall see over the long-term.
Well, he’s on the field, so he’s definitely better today! 🤣
Man, the Bills are getting injured in this game while kicking our ass
So, I am very angry about this loss I predicted 6 weeks ago…..
While our offense showed how mortal it is, the Ravens are fucking up the #1 defense Cleveland Browns
It’s a game of match-ups.
Yes, we didn’t today
Another Bill bights the dust. And another ones gone and another ones gone Another Bill bights the dust
Rock – Jaelan Phillips got a whole lot more hype, so he’s better in that aspect
Bills defenders are dropping like flies…
LOL, Jim Nantz said, “Get me Vaughn” in reference to Von Miller. 😀
I thought landing on the QB with all your weight was a penalty
There is Eichenberg
Wow, lucky bounce again for us
So glad there is less than 7 minutes left
Jesus refs, just let them play
There’s been a bunch of injuries already. The game is over, let the clock tick away
Get Tua out ffs. The games over
That was a Gesicki run move by Smythe there. LOL
Eich gives up a sack.
If Hill and Waddle are sitting out, why is Tua still in there?
Good question
Can we please just fucking end this? Why is Tua still out there?
Ced Wilson Jr. with his first reception
Why is Josh Allen still playing?
Never mind
Still not tackling
And we know they’re running on every play
Josh Allen with a perfect QB rating today
Did Fangio give the order to not tackle today?
Stat line is actually close. Major differences:
2 turnovers to 0
8 penalties for 98 yards vs 4 for 20 Bills
4 sacks to 2
But the score, the only one that counts. 48-20. 😕
Can’t lose the TO battle
AND the TOP
AND the penalties
AND the sacks.
Too much to overcome.
Damn, Colts tied it up. Going to OT.
Well I’m not going to be watching highlights today
Time to get ready for next week
We will be 5 -1 after 6 weeks
So everyone is 1-1 in the division.
I expect us to still dominate bad and mediocre teams, so we’ll be 5-1 going to Philly.
That’ll be our next measuring stick game. If our defense doesn’t make serious improvements, it’s pretty hard to be excited about our chances to do anything other than a potential playoff berth.
Mike E,
You need to buy a #93 Dolphins jersey.
LOL
Bills have a relatively easy schedule for the next 7 weeks. Only potential tough games are Jags and Pats.
Other games they have Broncos, Giants, Bengals and Jets.
Tua showed he won’t necessarily break in a physical game
Achane is a quality RB.
I think our offense looked fine against a top tier D; the Bills were just able to tee off with the pass rush all 2nd half. Even with that, we would have had 27 or 28 if Eich wasn’t a bum with his head in the clouds, and we could have broken 30 pretty easily. Too much pressure on the offense to be perfect and we forced things.
Um…special teams didn’t cost us anything in this game
Any other positives?
We rarely heard X’s name. Seems Josh Allen wasn’t willing to throw his way today.
Why does every MFr who thinks they know me think to send me a text when the Dolphins lose? I mean, IRL, NOT in stands I am a very composed fan. All anyone has got from me is “yeah, right?” That ‘s what the pricks are getting today to. GDMFGKYSLYKMOS
Sigh, ahem,
so fest is in two weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing you guys. That’s a positive thing.
Rams beat the Colts in OT!
This WR Nacua is an INCREDIBLE young WR.