Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins this week in a Thursday night game that could put a great deal of space between the Bills and their nearest AFC East foes. With a win, the Bills would move to 3-0 on the season. Miami would drop to 0-3 with a loss. At present, the only AFC East team with a win other than Buffalo is the New England Patriots, and they have a tough matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.
In short, the Bills could firmly stake a claim to retaining their AFC East dominance early on in the 2025 season with another solid performance. On the heels of two solid victories, the first a 41-40 comeback thriller over the Baltimore Ravens and the second a 30-10 walkover of the New York Jets, Buffalo could make it three wins in a row to kick off the season for the first time since, well, just last year when they began 3-0.
In order to earn that victory, though, the Bills will have to watch out for some talented Dolphins players. Here are five we’re watching this Thursday.
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QB Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa has experienced some high highs as a professional, having led the NFL in passing yards just two seasons ago on the way to earning his first and only career Pro Bowl nod to date. However, most of his career lows have come against Buffalo, as the Bills and head coach Sean McDermott have had Tagovailoa’s number throughout his career.
No team has intercepted Tagovailoa more than Buffalo. He’s thrown 10 picks against just nine touchdowns in his nine career games against the Bills. For his career, Tagovailoa averages 241 passing yards per game while completing 69% of his passes; against the Bills, he averages just 203 passing yards per game and completes 65% of his passes.
The Bills have been able to confuse Tagovailoa in games by showing one thing and rotating to another after the snap. That causes him to hold the ball and go to his secondary reads, something that isn’t necessarily his strong suit. If Buffalo’s defense can do that again this week, they’ll be in for a big night.
RB De’Von Achane
Miami’s leading receiver isn’t Tyreek Hill this year, nor is it Jaylen Waddle. Right now, it’s Achane, who leads the ‘Phins with 11 receptions through the team’s first two games. He’s done a great job on the ground, as well, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt.
In what really serves as a microcosm of head coach Mike McDaniel’s tenure with Miami, though, Achane only has 18 carries through the first two games. sure, they trailed for much of their opener (a 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts), but Acahne only carried 11 times for 30 yards last week against the Patriots, doing most of his damage as a receiver (eight catches for 92 yards and a touchdown).
Achane has a receiving touchdown in both games so far, and he’s had some quality contests...
