The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins face off in what promises to be a thrilling showdown, with the Dolphins entering Highmark Stadium with one goal in mind: to end Buffalo’s overwhelming dominance. Under the leadership of head coach Mike McDaniel, Miami has developed one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses, built around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a lineup packed with speed. Yet, despite their explosiveness, the Dolphins have struggled mightily against the Bills, particularly with Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott at the helm.
Since McDermott took over in Buffalo in 2017, the Bills have held a commanding 14-2 record against Miami, consistently shutting down their divisional rival. As the Bills sit comfortably in the AFC East standings, this game presents a must-win opportunity for Miami. A loss would drop them to 2-6, severely threatening any chances of postseason play. Coach McDaniel acknowledged the challenge of taking on the Bills, stating that previous matchups have been lessons to learn from rather than a deterrent. “You have to acknowledge the obvious when you’ve lost to a team a bunch—you definitely want to beat them,” McDaniel said, emphasizing the need to execute flawlessly to win.
The stakes are high, and early game action has shown both teams trading blows. Buffalo initially took the lead with a 40-yard field goal by Tyler Bass, capitalizing on an impressive punt return by Brandon Codrington. Miami quickly responded with a 39-yard field goal of their own, fueled by a strong 17-yard third-down conversion by Raheem Mostert. However, controversy arose as a personal foul penalty added extra yardage to Miami’s drive, giving the Dolphins momentum before Buffalo’s defense regained control. Notably, Miami’s star cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepted a red-zone pass from Josh Allen, denying Buffalo a potential touchdown in a key moment.
Despite setbacks on both sides, the Bills appear well-prepared. However, injuries have slightly thinned Buffalo’s ranks, with wide receiver Amari Cooper and cornerback Christian Benford ruled out for the game. Curtis Samuel, who missed last week’s game, steps in to strengthen the Bills’ offensive lineup. The Dolphins, facing defensive gaps of their own, are missing tackle Zach Sieler, safety Jevon Holland, and nickel cornerback Kader Kohou, presenting a challenge against Buffalo’s robust offense.
The odds favor Buffalo, who enters as a 6-point favorite. Sal Maiorana, a seasoned NFL analyst, has predicted a 30-19 victory for the Bills, highlighting their historic dominance at Highmark Stadium. The Bills’ goal isn’t just to win but to continue building momentum for a top playoff seed. However, Miami’s desperation to save their season adds an extra layer of tension, setting the stage for an intense, high-stakes battle.
For fans eager to catch the action, the game airs at 1 p.m. EST on CBS, with Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, and Melanie Collins on the call. Whether tuning in on local channels or streaming through NFL services, viewers can expect a fierce game as Miami tries to rewrite their recent history with Buffalo.
Will Miami’s renewed resolve and offensive firepower be enough to break Buffalo’s stranglehold, or will the Bills continue their reign over the AFC East? This game will likely come down to the wire, as both teams push to make their mark in the season.