The Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills in a battle of two of the NFL's top offenses on "Thursday Night Football." Both teams won tightly contested games in Week 1 and are out to prove they belong in the conversation for Super Bowl contenders.
A few storylines to watch:
Bills QB Josh Allen is a bit banged up but will play: Allen injured his nonthrowing hand rushing for a touchdown in the 34-28 win against Arizona last weekend but was cleared to practice and play this week. Arguably the top quarterback in the NFL, Allen threw for 4,306 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill not letting incident with police affect his play on the field: Hill was detained before his team's Week 1 game over allegations of careless driving and failure to wear a seat belt, yet he still finished with 130 yards receiving with a touchdown against Jacksonville. He could have a huge game against a Bills defense that will be missing All-Pro nickel cornerback Tarron Johnson.
Will the Dolphins' running game get going? Miami entered Week 1 with two of the NFL's best rushers in Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane; however, it totaled only 81 yards on the ground in Week 1. Achane, a candidate to break out in 2024, was disappointing with 10 carries for 24 yards (2.4 yards an attempt), but Mostert was even worse: six carries for 9 yards.
De'Von Achane taking advantage of starting role
With Raheem Mostert out, the Dolphins haven’t hesitated to give the ball to De'Von Achane. He’s already up to six carries for 26 yards in the first quarter, plus a receiving touchdown. We haven’t seen rookie Jaylen Wright take a handoff yet, and the only other running back with a carry was fullback Alec Ingold on third-and-short.
Dolphins 7, Bills 7: Tua Tagovailoa 5-yard pass to De'Von Achane
Impressive play design on that fourth down by Buffalo
The Bills sent two men in motion on that fourth down touchdown, confirming the Dolphins defense was in man coverage. After that, James Cook leaked out of the backfield and his defender — David Long — fell down in pursuit. That’s how he got so open for the touchdown.
Bills 7, Dolphins 0: Josh Allen pass to James Cook
Bills take over after interception!
On the Dolphins’ second third down, Tua Tagovailoa’s pass to Grant DuBose wasn’t caught, popped up in the air and picked. The Bills took over in Dolphins territory.
We’re off!
The Dolphins will start on their own 30 yard line.
Dolphins star Achane good to go for Thursday
Dolphins running back De'Von Achane, who was questionable ahead of the team's matchup with the Buffalo Bills with a chest injury, is active for the game.
Losing the star rusher would have been a massive blow with fellow running back Raheem Mostert out with an injury for Week 2.
Bills' Sean McDermott has sights set on Super Bowl
Sean McDermott has taken Buffalo to the postseason in six of his first seven seasons in charge; however, they have reached only one AFC championship game. McDermott hopes his team can get over the hump in 2024.
“It’s not a matter of if. It’s just a matter of when," he said this offseason. "That is the relentless pursuit. I believe we’re doing things the right way. You only fail if you quit, and I’ve never done that. I’ve never been about that. Whatever it is, you always figure it out."
Josh Allen arrives in Miami
The superstar Bills QB is primed for another huge performance. Buffalo has won four straight meetings against Miami.
Greg Rousseau stepping up for Bills
Defensive end Greg Rousseau had three sacks against the Cardinals, a career high. Rousseau, a first-round pick out of Miami in 2021, will need to keep that pressure up against arguably the highest-powered offense in the NFL.
"Just being out there with 10 other dogs every single play and having that four equals one mindset on rushing up front," he said after Week 1. "Knowing if I don’t get it, someone else is getting it. We all just got that same dog mindset … just feeding off each other’s energy.”
Damar Hamlin discusses his first start since cardiac arrest
The Bills safety made his first start since he suffered cardiac arrest in a game in January 2023. After the performance — four tackles, two solo — he discussed what it meant to get back out on the field.
“Every moment has been special. I really let myself be present in all my moments. I’ve been taking it one day at a time. Just to be out there today was special. It really was.”
Bills own rivalry with Dolphins
Including the postseason, Buffalo has won 11 of the last 12 games between these teams. The Bills have won four straight against Miami, including the 2022 wild card game and both regular season meetings last season.
Miami’s last win over Buffalo came in Week 3 of the 2022 season, when it beat the Bills, 21-19, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Dolphins, Bills among best teams over last 4 seasons
Buffalo and Miami are two of four teams that have had winning records in each of the last four seasons, along with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bills have 49 wins since 2020, the second most in the league behind the Chiefs' 52.
Will Josh Allen be 100%?
The Bills' star QB had four total touchdowns against Arizona in Week 1 but may have injured his non-throwing hand rushing for a score late in the fourth quarter. Team doctors cleared him to participate in practice this week and play against Miami.
Both teams needed comebacks to win Week 1
Both Buffalo and Miami came back from 14 points down to win at home in Week 1.
The Bills trailed 17-3 in the second quarter but scored a touchdown on four of the next five possessions and led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen had four touchdowns (two running, two passing).
The Dolphins were down 14-0 in the first quarter and 17-7 at halftime, but they did not allow a point in the second half. Jason Sanders' 52-yard field goal as time expired was the difference.