Another division game and another division win for the Buffalo Bills after a wild 31-28 win over the Miami Dolphins. Two long fourth quarter touchdown drives led by a quarterback Josh Allen helped the Bills overcome an early fourth quarter deficit to escape with a win.
The game featured a little bit of everything, such as technical difficulties from CBS disrupting the television broadcast, a lightning delay and a fourth quarter comeback by the Bills.
Trailing 20-17 early in the fourth quarter, Allen led the Bills on a 75-yard scoring drive which ended with a six-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Gabriel Davis giving the Bills a 24-20 lead.
After a stop by the Bills defense, the Bills got the ball back while up 24-20. The Bills kept their foot on the gas, and Allen launched another long scoring drive, culminating in a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver John Brown, making the score 31-20 in Buffalo’s favor.
The Dolphins scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter and converted the two-point conversion to cut the Bills lead to three with 49 seconds left to play. Safety Micah Hyde was key for the Bills late with another onside kick recovery to seal the victory for the Bills.
Allen set a new career high in passing yards with 415 yards, many of which came on deep crossing routes over the middle that left the Dolphins struggling for answers. The Bills had the big-play bug all game as they had eight plays of 20 yards or more.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs proved why the Bills acquired him this offseason from the Minnesota Vikings with a huge game against the Dolphins. Diggs finished the game with eight catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills running game got going a bit more than it did in week one against the Jets. Running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss averaged 5.6 and 4.6 yards per carry, respectively.
The absence of starting linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano on defense was huge. The Bills allowed 4.5 yards per rush against the Dolphins, a full yard higher than they gave up against the Jets opening week.
The Dolphins also found success moving the ball in the air, as former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 328 yards and two touchdown passes. Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki dominated the middle of the field, catching eight passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
The win puts the Bills at 2-0, as they head back to Orchard Park this week to take on the 2-0 Los Angeles Rams. The Rams come into the game versus the Bills having defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in week two after an opening week win versus the Dallas Cowboys.
The game against the Rams will present a true test for the Bills after beating two of the worst teams in the league, as the Rams aim to become the team that made it to the Super Bowl only two years ago.
The Rams defense will present a formidable challenge for the Bills, having given up an average of 18 points over the first two weeks. A key matchup to look forward to is Diggs and Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey will likely look to shadow Diggs when the Rams are playing man coverage. Getting a wide receiver who can hold his own against a cornerback of Ramsey’s caliber is a big reason the Bills offense is firing on all cylinders this season.
On defense for the Bills, a potential return of Milano and Edmunds would be a huge boost. The Rams come in averaging 172 rushing yards per game, the third best in the NFL.
The Bills will need to slow down the run to force Rams quarterback Jared Goff into longer passing downs. Without stopping the run, it will be a long day for the Bills defense as the Rams will be able to put together long scoring drives.
This game is likely to come right down to the wire, and I have the Bills winning a close one 24-23.