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 against the Bills in his young career. He has six combined rushing and receiving touchdowns in four games against Buffalo, all while averaging six yards per rush. Buffalo was much better against the run last week — truly, their defense was dominant against the Jets in every fashion — and they’ll need to be just as good this week. Keying in on Achane is a must.
RT Larry Borom
With a left-handed quarterback, the blindside protector is on a different side. Given the effectiveness of Buffalo’s pass rush so far, the Dolphins will need to be mindful in pass protection. Tagovailoa is the master of the three-step drop, as he often fires to his first read quickly.
If the Bills can make Tagovailoa hold the ball, though, Borom will have his hands full, as Joey Bosa has been fantastic, Greg Rousseau is excellent, and A.J. Epenesa has had some big games against the Dolphins in his career. Tagovailoa has been sacked eight times so far this season.
Buffalo has to take advantage of a Miami line that has been shaky thus far. Pro Football Focus has Borom graded at a 54.8 this year, which is No. 64 out of 92 qualifying tackles. For comparison, Dion Dawkins (73.9) and Spencer Brown (73.6) rank 12 and 13, respectively.
LB Tyrel Dodson
Hello, old friend! While Dodson remains a solid force against the run, he also remains a liability in pass coverage. If a team can establish the run, or merely threaten it via motion and formation, they will be able to deke Dodson on play-action passes. If the Bills can use their slot players like Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Elijah Moore, and Dawson Knox, as well as their running backs, in the middle of the field, then there will likely be big gains waiting.
Dodson currently leads the Dolphins in tackles with 22. He’s been the closest defender in coverage seven times this season, and he’s allowed all seven of those passes to be completed for 59 yards. Look for offensive coordinator Joe Brady to try and take Dodson out of position with motion and play-fakes early and often.
CB Rasul Douglas
Douglas has never been a great man corner; he’s always done his best work in zone coverage. If the Dolphins do choose to man him up against anyone, though, using him in an off-man technique against Keon Coleman could be an interesting matchup. The second-year wideout doesn’t create much separation, and the veteran corner doesn’t excel when trying to stick with one man. Something has to give, and I actually like Douglas’ length and physicality to pose some problems for Coleman if they end up facing off against each other.
If Douglas is manned up on any of Buffalo’s other receivers, though, that’s a matchup where I would like quarterback Josh Allen to attack. Last season, Douglas allowed far too many big plays for the Bills, which is part of the reason the team moved on this year. Let’s see if the offense can cash in on a big shot or two at Douglas’ expense this week.
