Hello Dolphin fans and welcome to the preview of the Dolphins vs Bills game.
The Miami Dolphins head up to Buffalo, New York to face the undefeated Bills. This is following the devastating loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday and now, this Bills game has turned into a must win for this current coaching staff and for the 2025 Miami Dolphins.
The Bills are coming off a dominating win against the Jets with Buffalo winning 30-10 in a game where Josh Allen did not have to do anything. Allen only had 148 passing yards and James Cook had 132 rushing yards on 21 carries and had two rushing touchdowns. The Jets offense had no answers going up against the Bills defense. The Bills defense had 4 sacks, held the Jets to only 83 passing yards, and only 1 touchdown.
Getting into rankings, the Bills defense is first in passing defense, second worst rushing defense, 11th in sacks, and 22nd in scoring. Compared to the Dolphins offense, the Dolphins are 14th in passing yards, 29th in rushing yards, 30th in sacks allowed, and 22nd in scoring. The Dolphins offensive gameplan should be this and it is simple. Run the ball 30 plus times. Yes, we are not the Ravens or Jets, both are run first teams, but when you have De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon as your running backs, Mike McDaniel needs to run the ball. That simple. Linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle Ed Oliver will be out for tomorrow’s game which is a huge advantage for Miami to once again, run the ball. In 2022, the Dolphins averaged 7.5 yards per carry when the team played on a Saturday night. With a running game, that will give a boost to the already struggling offense and will give plenty opportunities to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to explode
Next, The Dolphins defense is 23rd in passing yards allowed, 25th in rushing yards allowed, 22nd in sacks, and 31st in scoring. The Dolphin defense will need to step up and contain Josh Allen and James Cook, but it starts at their offensive line. The Dolphins pass rush needs to step up, this has to be their best game in order for the Dolphins offense to have a chance. The Bills offense is 3rd in passing, 2nd in rushing yards, tied 3rd in sacks allowed, and 2nd in scoring behind the Ravens.
To have a chance, the Dolphins need to play their best football. Here are my top five things the Dolphins need to do in order to win. First, is running the ball. Let Achane run wild and give him 20 plus carries. Having Ed Oliver not in the middle will help our offensive line.
Second is discipline. On Sunday the Dolphins committed 10 penalties against the Patriots on Sunday. That is not winning football games, no matter who we play, but that cannot happen against the Bills. The team can’t give the Bills any momentum.
Third, getting the plays out early. Since Mike McDaniel has been the Dolphins head coach, it has been an issue where there are less than ten seconds left on the play clock and the offense is not set. Coach McDaniel loves his motions and that takes at least four seconds, and it causes either a delay of game or puts more pressure on Tua to get the ball snapped which is the last thing any coach wants which is putting more pressure on their quarterback.
Fourth, containing Josh Allen. Chop, Chubb, Phillips, and Judon need to make Allen uncomfortable all game. The last time that we beat Buffalo was September 2022. That is relevant because we sacked Allen four times that day and we won. Since then, we have lost five straight times.
Fifth, is our quarterback. Tua playing in Buffalo has 5 passing touchdowns, an interception, 72% completion percentage, 249 passing yards per game, and 109 passer rating. While he has played well at Highmark Stadium, Tua needs to outplay Allen for the Dolphins to win. Now, it is not all on Tua. His receivers and offensive line need to support him in key moments, but Tua needs to carry the team on his back for us to have a chance to win.
With this being a must win game against the team that has had their number, a win must come out of it for the sake of coaches and players’ future here in Miami. The game will air on Amazon Prime at 8:20 P.M.
Cover Photo Image: Fox Sports
