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Dolphins-Bills Preview
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) With the Bills enjoying the rarified air of having a four-win edge atop the AFC East, edge rusher Greg Rousseau figures Buffalo is challenged with facing two opponents entering Week 9.
There’s the division rival Miami Dolphins (2-5), who hit town on Sunday. And then there’s making sure to ward off any sense of overconfidence.
“It’s cool to be sure,” Rousseau said, when informed the Bills (6-2) are the league’s eighth team since realignment in 2002 to hold a four-or-more-win edge over their division through eight weeks. “But I’d say the biggest thing that comes with being up four wins is being able to battle complacency. You never know. We haven’t clinched anything.”
And forget asking Rasul Douglas, because the Bills cornerback said he doesn’t pay attention to the standings by instead asking: “We got a four-win lead versus who?”
The entire division.
“Geez,” Douglas said. “I guess at this point, you just want to keep the distance.”
The Dolphins, by comparison, certainly know the score. After blowing 10-point leads in each of their past two outings, they’re running out of margin for error to entertain thoughts of climbing back into contention.
Important as it is to remain positive, even ever upbeat quarterback Tua Tagovailoa acknowledged urgency must enter the equation.
“The thing that can become very discouraging is the message starts to sound redundant,” Tagovailoa said, referring to the numerous discussions the Dolphins have had over correcting the various issues.
“What are we going to do about it as a locker room, as a group of guys, and how do we want to change what that looks like coming this Sunday?” he said.
Injuries have been an issue, with Tagovailoa returning last week after missing four games with a concussion sustained in a 31-10 loss to Buffalo in Week 2. Turnovers are a problem, with Miami not creating enough in being tied for 26th in the NFL with five takeaways. And then there’s a once-dynamic offense which ranks last in the league in averaging fewer than 14 points an outing.
Making matters more challenging is Miami’s recent struggles against Buffalo. The Dolphins have lost 13 of 14 meetings, including a playoff loss, and have dropped eight straight at Buffalo.
“The biggest opponent that we have to overcome is ourselves, really,” coach Mike McDaniel said.
“I believe that we have the right guys to get that fixed and so we’ll press forward with no other thought, but that’s to be proud of the game we put out there and understand what it takes for this team to win against any opponent,” he added. “Long season. It’s front-loaded with results that nobody’s accepting and we have a lot of guys that are trying to be the reasons for the solution and not the reasons of the problem.”
The four-time defending AFC East champion Bills have won three straight following a two-game skid and are showing signs of establishing an attacking identity on both sides of the ball.
In their past two games, the Bills have used a balanced attack to outscore their opponents by a combined 65-20, with four touchdowns passing and four rushing, and have gained 834 yards. Their defense has allowed just 522 yards the past two outings, and has forced a takeaway in eight straight.
“Not getting complacent and not just saying things are taken care of, because they’re not,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “Anything can happen, and we got to keep our foot to the gas.”
The Dolphins are still struggling to identify a No. 3 receiver to complement Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Free-agent addition Odell Beckham Jr. was expected to fill that slot, but he doesn't have a catch in three games since being activated off the physically unable to perform list. River Cracraft, coming off a shoulder injury, could make his season debut on Sunday.
“Now the band is sort of coming back together and meshing, being able to throw more routes, more timing throws with them,” Tagovailoa said. "Hopefully this Sunday we get to use the weapons that we’ve acquired this offseason.”
The Bills are welcoming back Von Miller, who returns after serving an NFL-issued four-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Miller had three sacks before his suspension to increase his NFL active career-leading total to 126 1/2 - tied for 17th overall with Derrick Thomas.
“I’m happy. I’m in a great spot. I’m healthy,” the 35-year-old said. “We got all our hopes and our aspirations in front of us, whether that’s on a team level or an individual level.”
The Dolphins have jumped to ninth in the NFL in rushing after three straight games with at least 150 yards rushing for the first time since 2009. Second-year running back De’Von Achane leads the team with 81 carries and 357 yards. Veteran Raheem Mostert has a team-high two rushing touchdowns. Rookie Jaylen Wright has the highest per-carry average among the three at 5.3 yards per touch.
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AP Sports Writer Alanis Thames contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. Tagovailoa
1 QB
42 FPTS
|
T. Tagovailoa | 68/100 | 717 | 3 | 3 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Huntley
10 QB
27 FPTS
|
T. Huntley | 39/66 | 377 | 1 | 1 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Thompson
19 QB
7 FPTS
|
S. Thompson | 21/33 | 187 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Achane
28 RB
100 FPTS
|
D. Achane | 81 | 357 | 1 | 47 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wright
25 RB
16 FPTS
|
J. Wright | 36 | 190 | 0 | 20 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Mostert
31 RB
32 FPTS
|
R. Mostert | 45 | 158 | 2 | 18 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Huntley
10 QB
27 FPTS
|
T. Huntley | 16 | 67 | 1 | 20 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Tagovailoa
1 QB
42 FPTS
|
T. Tagovailoa | 6 | 41 | 0 | 13 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilson
23 RB
6 FPTS
|
J. Wilson | 8 | 40 | 0 | 14 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hill
10 WR
72 FPTS
|
T. Hill | 5 | 36 | 0 | 16 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Ingold
30 FB
15 FPTS
|
A. Ingold | 9 | 13 | 1 | 6 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Waddle
17 WR
54 FPTS
|
J. Waddle | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Thompson
19 QB
7 FPTS
|
S. Thompson | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bailey
16 P
|
J. Bailey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
A. Brewer
55 C
|
A. Brewer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
B. Ferguson
48 LS
|
B. Ferguson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Smith
9 TE
54 FPTS
|
J. Smith | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 54 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. Hill
10 WR
72 FPTS
|
T. Hill | 51 | 30 | 366 | 1 | 80 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Waddle
17 WR
54 FPTS
|
J. Waddle | 36 | 26 | 314 | 0 | 63 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Smith
9 TE
54 FPTS
|
J. Smith | 34 | 25 | 256 | 1 | 18 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Achane
28 RB
100 FPTS
|
D. Achane | 34 | 29 | 244 | 2 | 39 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Ingold
30 FB
15 FPTS
|
A. Ingold | 8 | 7 | 60 | 0 | 25 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hill
89 TE
10 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 10 | 7 | 45 | 0 | 13 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Mostert
31 RB
32 FPTS
|
R. Mostert | 7 | 5 | 39 | 0 | 11 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Eskridge
82 WR
5 FPTS
|
D. Eskridge | 2 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 30 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Washington
83 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Washington | 4 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Conner
80 TE
4 FPTS
|
T. Conner | 4 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. DuBose
88 WR
2 FPTS
|
G. DuBose | 3 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilson
23 RB
6 FPTS
|
J. Wilson | 2 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smythe
81 TE
2 FPTS
|
D. Smythe | 7 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wright
25 RB
16 FPTS
|
J. Wright | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
O. Beckham Jr.
3 WR
0 FPTS
|
O. Beckham Jr. | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Berrios
0 WR
0 FPTS
|
B. Berrios | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Ezukanma
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
E. Ezukanma | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Brooks
20 ILB
|
J. Brooks | 31-24 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Long
11 ILB
|
D. Long | 26-12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Poyer
21 FS
|
J. Poyer | 20-15 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Holland
8 S
|
J. Holland | 18-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Campbell
93 DE
|
C. Campbell | 17-5 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Fuller
29 CB
|
K. Fuller | 16-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ramsey
5 CB
|
J. Ramsey | 16-12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Ogbah
91 OLB
|
E. Ogbah | 14-7 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hand
90 DE
|
D. Hand | 13-6 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Kohou
4 CB
|
K. Kohou | 13-4 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Maye
26 FS
|
M. Maye | 10-14 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Sieler
92 DE
|
Z. Sieler | 9-9 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Walker
6 MLB
|
A. Walker | 7-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Robinson
44 LB
|
C. Robinson | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Duck
36 DB
|
S. Duck | 5-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Smith
24 CB
|
C. Smith | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Bowser
56 LB
|
T. Bowser | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Bell
56 LB
|
Q. Bell | 2-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Riley
45 MLB
|
D. Riley | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Phillips
15 OLB
|
J. Phillips | 2-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Pili
96 DT
|
B. Pili | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Jones
95 DT
|
B. Jones | 1-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Kamara
50 LB
|
M. Kamara | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Sanders
7 K
51 FPTS
|
J. Sanders | 12/16 | 56 | 7/7 | 43 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Allen
17 QB
180 FPTS
|
J. Allen | 143/223 | 1766 | 14 | 1 | 180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Trubisky
11 QB
0 FPTS
|
M. Trubisky | 2/3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Cook
4 RB
115 FPTS
|
J. Cook | 99 | 452 | 7 | 49 | 115 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Davis
22 RB
47 FPTS
|
R. Davis | 57 | 242 | 2 | 22 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Allen
17 QB
180 FPTS
|
J. Allen | 45 | 204 | 3 | 19 | 180 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Johnson
26 RB
33 FPTS
|
T. Johnson | 14 | 76 | 1 | 19 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Samuel
1 WR
19 FPTS
|
C. Samuel | 3 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Shakir
10 WR
87 FPTS
|
K. Shakir | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Trubisky
11 QB
0 FPTS
|
M. Trubisky | 6 | -6 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
K. Shakir
10 WR
87 FPTS
|
K. Shakir | 38 | 36 | 421 | 2 | 52 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Coleman
0 WR
76 FPTS
|
K. Coleman | 34 | 21 | 396 | 3 | 57 | 76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Kincaid
86 TE
68 FPTS
|
D. Kincaid | 44 | 28 | 300 | 2 | 28 | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cook
4 RB
115 FPTS
|
J. Cook | 16 | 14 | 145 | 1 | 25 | 115 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Knox
88 TE
21 FPTS
|
D. Knox | 11 | 7 | 97 | 1 | 27 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Samuel
1 WR
19 FPTS
|
C. Samuel | 18 | 12 | 92 | 0 | 38 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hollins
13 WR
24 FPTS
|
M. Hollins | 20 | 7 | 81 | 2 | 21 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Davis
22 RB
47 FPTS
|
R. Davis | 9 | 8 | 79 | 0 | 42 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Cooper
2 WR
76 FPTS
|
A. Cooper | 7 | 5 | 69 | 1 | 27 | 76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Johnson
26 RB
33 FPTS
|
T. Johnson | 8 | 5 | 65 | 2 | 33 | 33 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Williams
42 LB
|
D. Williams | 43-27 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hamlin
3 S
|
D. Hamlin | 34-13 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Lewis
39 CB
|
C. Lewis | 29-13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Benford
47 CB
|
C. Benford | 28-7 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Douglas
31 CB
|
R. Douglas | 25-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Bernard
43 LB
|
T. Bernard | 23-9 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Rousseau
50 DE
|
G. Rousseau | 19-7 | 3.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Spector
54 LB
|
B. Spector | 19-12 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Rapp
9 FS
|
T. Rapp | 17-16 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Johnson
7 CB
|
T. Johnson | 12-12 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Epenesa
57 DE
|
A. Epenesa | 11-5 | 4.0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smoot
94 DE
|
D. Smoot | 8-4 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jones
92 DT
|
D. Jones | 8-4 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Carter
90 DT
|
D. Carter | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Oliver
91 DT
|
E. Oliver | 7-5 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Toohill
99 DE
|
C. Toohill | 6-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Miller
40 OLB
|
V. Miller | 5-0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ingram
46 DB
|
J. Ingram | 5-2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Johnson
98 NT
|
A. Johnson | 5-3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Bishop
24 SAF
|
C. Bishop | 5-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Solomon
56 DE
|
J. Solomon | 3-0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Codrington
29 DB
|
B. Codrington | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Elam
5 CB
|
K. Elam | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Logue
59 DT
|
Z. Logue | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Andreessen
44 LB
|
J. Andreessen | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Edwards
21 SAF
|
M. Edwards | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Ankou
51 DT
|
E. Ankou | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Morrow
52 LB
|
N. Morrow | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
T. Bass
2 K
64 FPTS
|
T. Bass | 12/15 | 50 | 26/28 | 62 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |