Right here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Payments match up in six key areas forward of Thursday’s Week 3 recreation at Highmark Stadium (8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video):
When the Dolphins run: The operative phrase being “when.” After they did run towards the New England Patriots in Sunday’s 33-27 loss, they discovered a number of issues, however the Dolphins once more received away from the run recreation for simply 15 makes an attempt, though the sport was aggressive for the ultimate three quarters. Miami had 61 yards on these rushes, and regardless of some effectivity, the workforce ranks lifeless final in dashing makes an attempt by means of two weeks whereas No. 4 in yards per carry.
Operating again De’Von Achane leads the backfield as he has additionally been an lively participant within the move recreation, main the workforce in targets and receptions. It’s unsure whether or not Jaylen Wright could make his season debut, however rookie Ollie Gordon II has solely obtained three carries in two video games as the first spell again for Achane. Miami should make up for its banged-up proper aspect of the road, and Jonah Savaiinaea can’t be a legal responsibility between left deal with Patrick Paul and middle Aaron Brewer.
If there’s one space the Payments are susceptible, it’s run protection. They’re second-to-last towards the run, however quite a lot of that got here within the opener towards the Baltimore Ravens, with operating again Derrick Henry and cellular quarterback Lamar Jackson. Buffalo had defensive deal with Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano lacking apply early within the week. The Payments hope to get new veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson within the lineup with Terrel Bernard. Edge: Dolphins
When the Payments run: By means of two weeks, Buffalo is second within the league in dashing due to the mixture of operating again James Prepare dinner, a Miami Central Excessive alum, and cellular quarterback Josh Allen. Prepare dinner is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and leads the NFL with three dashing touchdowns. Allen has 89 dashing yards on 20 makes an attempt and two scores.
The Dolphins have allowed 278 dashing yards over the primary two video games, twenty fifth within the league. Groups have run on them greater than another workforce, a byproduct largely of the Indianapolis Colts taking part in with a lead all through within the opener. Defensive deal with Zach Sieler has not but made an influence this season up entrance. As Miami will look to include Allen, a part of run protection will likely be maintaining a tally of him with a spy on designed move performs, probably a possibility for linebacker Willie Homosexual Jr. to show his athleticism maintaining with Allen. Stopping the run would be the first key for the Dolphins earlier than they will really apply a move rush on Allen. Edge: Payments
When the Dolphins move: Statistically, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was significantly better in Week 2 — 26 of 32 for 315 yards and two touchdowns — however he nonetheless wasn’t absolutely studying issues and missed some alternatives towards a Patriots move protection that was slightly suspect Sunday. He threw the late interception over the center on a fourth-and-9 when he had tight finish Julian Hill open with room to run within the flat, and he additionally was intercepted on the opening drive however had the turnover referred to as again because of penalty.
Tagovailoa hopes to construct off some potential momentum brewing once more in his reference to star huge receiver Tyreek Hill. Sunday towards the Patriots, Hill had his first 100-yard recreation with Tagovailoa and first reception of at the very least 30 yards in a full calendar yr. Hill and Waddle will look to get going towards the Payments’ top-ranked move protection, which figures to attempt to take the center of the sphere away and drive Tagovailoa to throw to the sidelines and dump it off to Achane. The Buffalo secondary options cornerbacks Christian Benford, Taron Johnson and Tre’Davious White and safeties Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop.
The Payments knocked Jets quarterback Justin Fields out of the sport whereas making him and backup Tyrod Taylor look pedestrian on Sunday. With Joey Bosa and Gregory Rousseau on the move rush off the sting, Paul and backup proper deal with Larry Borom, in for the injured Austin Jackson could have his fingers full. If Miami is taking part in from behind, the Payments can get their move rush occurring Tagovailoa simply days after he took 5 sacks, together with the pricey one which sealed the loss to New England. Edge: Payments
When the Payments move: Allen often dominates when he performs this division rival. He’s 12-2 in his profession towards the Dolphins, with 3,737 passing yards, 37 landing passes and eight interceptions. His risk to scramble creates a problem for defenders in protection, together with move rushers who should additionally preserve include in case he tucks it and run. Together with that, his elite arm energy permits Allen to chuck it deep with seemingly limitless vary on the sphere.
Allen has Buffalo because the league’s No. 2 move offense by means of two weeks, spreading the ball out between huge receivers Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Khalil Shakir, tight finish Dalton Kincaid and Prepare dinner out of the backfield. With Storm Duck set to overlook one other recreation, cornerbacks Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas will likely be tasked with holding down the boundaries, with nickel cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. rotating in on his packages. As security Ifeatu Melifonwu gained’t be capable to play by means of a calf damage, a rotation round Minkah Fitzpatrick of Ashtyn Davis and Dante Dealer will seemingly be utilized.
They’re on the again finish for the No. 22 move protection, which has been aided by groups operating the ball a lot on this protection. The move rush picked up three sacks on New England quarterback Drake Maye final outing, however that unit nonetheless wants to use extra constant strain to assist the secondary. That would come from the inside with Sieler and rookie Kenneth Grant or with Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon on the sides towards left deal with Dion Dawkins and proper deal with Spencer Brown. Edge: Payments
Particular groups: It was the perfect of particular groups, it was the worst of particular groups on back-to-back performs for the Dolphins final Sunday. They scored on Malik Washington’s punt return, after which they allowed Patriots’ Antonio Gibson to return the following kick return for a landing.
The Payments have been in a position to flip video games on the Dolphins on particular groups earlier than, just like the 2023 regular-season finale to win the division. Each groups are utilizing replacements for injured kickers. The Dolphins could have Riley Patterson up from the apply squad once more. He has made all 5 of his kicks for Miami, whereas veteran Matt Prater has transformed all six of his area aim makes an attempt and 5 further factors this yr. Edge: Payments
Intangibles: The Payments have a system of consistency as division champions for 5 consecutive seasons and perennial AFC contenders. They’re at house, the place the Dolphins haven’t gained since 2016. Miami travels to Buffalo on a brief week, which is at all times troublesome within the NFL, and is simply extra of a gauntlet when the franchise is on shaky floor with followers pushing for coach Mike McDaniel and common supervisor Chris Grier to be fired. Edge: Payments
PREDICTION: Payments 33, Dolphins 20
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