The Miami Dolphins continue their 2023 campaign, their second under head coach Mike McDaniel, with a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo has bounced back well from a tough season-opening loss to the New York Jets in Week 1 with two beatdowns of the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders.
Buy Dolphins TicketsQuarterback Josh Allen is one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL today, and there’s not a lot that can be done to stop him from moving the ball down the field.
He’s just one reason that Sunday’s contest will be the most difficult of the season so far for Miami.
A litany of offensive weapons
Stefon Diggs is one of the league’s best wide receivers, but he’s not the only offensive threat the Bills have. Their group also includes Gabe Davis, who is as talented a second receiver as you’ll find in the league.
Buffalo has a duo of talented tight ends in Dawson Knox and rookie Dalton Kincaid who can create mismatches with their size and athleticism.
In the backfield, James Cook, Damien Harris and Latavisus Murray have proven to be a solid trio in their first three games together, combining for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
History
While the Dolphins hold the advantage in the all-time series between these two teams (62-56-1), Buffalo leads in games in Orchard Park (34-26). And, the recent history isn’t great for Miami either. The Bills have won their last seven against the Dolphins at home.
Injury concerns
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips was ruled out for this game by head coach Mike McDaniel prior to Friday’s practice. Miami’s been without Phillips once this year, and Andrew Van Ginkel stepped up admirably.
It will be interesting to see how the Dolphins’ depth options at wideout perform, as River Cracraft and Erik Ezukanma were placed on injured reserve and the non-football injury list, respectively. This could be another week that Robbie Chosen gets elevated and Braxton Berrios is asked to take on a larger role.
However, the biggest injury may be safety DeShon Elliott’s ankle/groin. Through three games, Elliott has played 93% of Miami’s defensive snaps, and if he can’t go, the Dolphins will have to thrust Brandon Jones back into the secondary.
Jones was the starting safety opposite Jevon Holland last year before tearing his ACL. So far in 2023, he’s been eased back into playing, seeing just 18 defensive snaps.
A ferocious defense
Despite waiting for Von Miller to make his 2023 debut, the Bills have attacked offenses early on this season. Through three games, they’re second in points allowed (11.7), second in total yards allowed (253) and third in passing yards allowed (142.3).
Where they can be hurt is on the ground, as they’ve allowed 110.7 rushing yards per game (14th in the NFL). The Dolphins will have to take advantage of that and give Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane their fair share of action.
