The Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills this Thursday at Hard Rock stadium, in a game that should be fireworks. Both teams have similar cores as last year with a few tweaks to their lineup, however the Bills have more turnover. Below I will breakdown the Buffalo Bills team, and some of the challenges they will present to Miami on Thursday.
The Bills best player is none other than their stud quarterback Josh Allen, who has been nothing but a problem for Miami and the rest of the NFL for half a decade. Since Allen broke out in 2020, he has been solidified as one of the league’s best quarterbacks along with Patrick Mahomes. He also turns it up in games against Miami, as he has a 33 to 7 touchdown to interception ratio in his career against them. Miami has yet to find a consistent answer to stop him, hopefully for their sake Anthony Weaver has a plan to contain the gunslinger. In Josh Allens season debut, he threw for 232 yards while having 4 total touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing).
Despite the Bills being labeled as a pass first team since Josh Allen came to town, their run game is a tough one to stop. I mentioned Allen had 2 rushing touchdowns in week 1, his legs and athleticism is a serious threat. However, they also have a pro bowl running back James Cook on their team. Cook was drafted into the NFL in 2022, and has since become the Bills primary back. His speed, vision, and receiving ability makes him one of the better starting running backs in the NFL.
Weapon wise, the Bills lost their former number one wide receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason, as well as their longtime number two Gabe Davis. However, they utilized free agency and the draft to their advantage. They brought in journeyman Gabe Davis, rookie out of Florida State Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. They also retained young Khalil Shakir who the coaching staff likes a lot. Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins caught touchdown passes for them in the season opener. They also have two talented tight ends Dalton Knox and young Dalton Kincaid, however they both only had one catch each last week. I would expect for them to be targeted more against a tough Dolphins secondary.
On the offensive line, the line stayed somewhat similar since last year. They lost their longtime starting center Mitch Morse, however he was getting old and they have a decent replacement option in Connor McGovern. The strength of their offensive line is at the tackle spots though. Left tackle Dion Dawkins has been starting for the Bills there for eight years, he is a veteran leader on their team. Guards David Edwards and O’Cyrus Torrence are decent enough and specialize in run blocking. Former Florida Gator O’Cyrus Torrence is a young guard, and fell to the Bills in the NFL draft in 2023.
The Bills defensive line has always been disruptive against the Dolphins, as last year they won the trench game. Leonard Floyd left the Bills for San Francisco this offseason, but they still have capable defensive ends to stop the run and rush the passer. AJ Epenesa will have his hands full against Terron Armstead, however former Miami Hurricane Gregory Rousseau has made a name for himself in the NFL. He has 20 career sacks in 47 games, and had 3 sacks alone in week 1. As scary as that is for Dolphins fans, he might be even better against the run. The battle between him and Austin Jackson will be a fun one, and he will be one of the main players the Dolphins game plan against among the defensive line. Ed Oliver is a star defensive tackle, and has been great for the Bills since being their first round draft pick in 2019. He is one of the league’s best interior rushers, but takes his losses in run defense as a smaller defensive tackle. The man starting next to him is DaQuan Jones, who is a more than serviceable starting defensive tackle. Some other names on their defensive line are veterans Von Miller, Dawuane Smoot, and Austin Johnson.
The Bills lost a huge piece this offseason among their linebacker core, as Matt Milano suffered a bicep injury. This loss is massive for the Bills, as now young linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams will need to step up as leaders of the defense. Bernard had a big year last year though, so there is optimism for Bills fans that he can take another step up.
The secondary is the most changed unit on this entire team. Jordan Poyer was released and brought in by the Miami Dolphins this offseason, Micah Hyde also departed with corner Tre’Davious White. The new starters at cornerback are Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, and longtime Bills nickel Taron Johnson. They should be fine this year, they held Kyler Murray to 162 passing yards in week 1. Taylor Rapp and rookie out of Utah Cole Bishop are the new safeties. They have huge shoes to fill replacing the legendary duo of Hyde and Poyer. Bishop was a second round pick for Buffalo, but it will likely take him some time to reach his ceiling.
On special teams, they have a talented veteran kicker/punter duo in Tyler Bass and Sam Martin. Bass has been with the Bills for a long time and has been extremely consistent. Martin has been with the Bills since 2022.
Overall, the Bills lost some veterans but are still a good football team that will absolutely give the Dolphins a fight on Saturday. Their strength lies in Josh Allen, their run game, and pass rush. They have weaknesses in the linebacker room and secondary. It is also worth noting their coaching staff does great work on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has called plays for some top offenses in the NFL and college, while defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is an up and coming defensive mind who could be a head coaching candidate soon.