AFC Game Of The Week
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Bills: They’ve come out the gates swinging! I can admit I picked against them to lose to the Los Angeles Rams in week 1. That victory I feel set the tone for their entire season and I say that because they won that game on the road on the West Coast and an opening win against the defending Super Bowl champions says a lot. Last week against the Tennessee Titans, they continued to apply pressure and won another game by double digits. They were the preseason favorites to win the AFC and so far, they look great out the gate. I already know what the offense is going to do. Josh Allen will be Josh Allen and he will connect with Stefon Diggs when the opportunity presents itself. What’s still bothering me is the fact they can’t consistently run the football. Ask Israel Rivera of Prime Sports World as we discuss this all the time. When will the Buffalo Bills win the battle in the trenches and run the football?! I’m over the Quarterback being the team’s leading rusher! What’s impressed me has been this defense and it’s the Von Miller effect. Because of Von, this Bills’ front seven feels they can get home at any time and run downhill. Outside of the inconsistent running game, they have no weaknesses. On Sunday, they’ll make a trip to Florida.
Dolphins: Sunday was such a gritty win for them. As I’m watching that game, I said to myself, “it’s time for them to pass the sticks” because this game was over, especially with how the Baltimore Ravens were dominating this game. Right? Not necessarily, because they fought back and got themselves back into the football game. The Dolphins would end up erasing a 21-point lead to defeat the Ravens in Baltimore. All week on the airwaves, I said the same thing to myself on each show from Monday Evening Quarterback to the NerdZone: Why would you play Tyreek Hill in single-man coverage? I’m still trying to find the answer to that. It was also a rookie Cornerback on a top-5 Wide Receiver in the league! Without any Safety help over the top! To be honest, I didn’t think Tua Tagovailoa had it in him but look how aggressively he attacked the Baltimore secondary. This Dolphins team has a ton of speed with Tyreek and Jaylen Waddle. The defense for the last few seasons has been a force as well with playmakers across the board. This seems like a more loose and free-flowing team under the new Head Coach, Mike McDaniel. This is going to be a fun team to watch this year with all of that talent. In week 3, they will welcome a mighty Bills team to town.
Bills X-Factor: Tremaine Edmunds– He doesn’t get enough respect I feel. Tremaine is the engine of this Bills’ defense. He’s the man in the middle and these last few seasons, he’s improved significantly as a tackler in the open field. Tremaine takes much better angles in pursuing the ball carrier and in pass coverage, he trusts what he sees, and therefore, he’s being more decisive. He’ll be counted on to rally the troops on Sunday.
Dolphins X-Factor: Mike Gesicki– I followed him at Penn State. He was always that 1 weapon defenses always forgot about. Even when you think he’s completely covered down the field, you lob the ball up in his direction and he’ll make the catch. It’s that wide catch radius I always talk about. You can’t double everyone on this Miami offense. Someone will see single coverage and that’s Mike. He plays similarly to a basketball player in the post. Mike positions himself to make the catch.
Final Thoughts: This is 1 of the biggest games in the AFC East in a long time that doesn’t involve the New England Patriots. The Bills are who we expected them to be and the Dolphins are buying into what the new head coach is selling to them. I’m watching how Tua comes into this game. He had himself quite the 4th quarter in Baltimore in week 2 picking apart that Ravens secondary. This isn’t the Ravens’ defense and he’ll have to pace himself here. Also, can Miami get their running game going? The key to a McDaniel offense has always been running the ball. I anticipate this Bills defense to get after Tua early and often. Watch the Buffalo defense throw a lot of stunts and different looks to throw him off. Back to Miami, they must keep Josh in the pocket. Don’t let him extend the play or make throws on the run which will be easier said than done.
Prediction: Bills 38, Dolphins 28
