Are the 2023 Dolphins for Real?!
This time things feel a little different!
The Miami Dolphins put up a historic performance for their first home game of the year, throttling the Broncos 70-20! Boy, did they not only avoid the ‘trap game’ but they obliterated it! Now the whole NFL is talking about the offense, and this team surely looks like a legitimate contender. However, as good as we looked Sunday, it still only counts as one win, and now the Dolphins will have a real test ahead of them with the Buffalo Bills on deck.
Is it FINALLY the Dolphins’ Time?!
The Phins are set to play the Bills in Buffalo this weekend, and really a big performance that notches a statement game would set the tone for the season. Miami finally beat the Bills last year at home, which was their first victory in the last 10 games against the Bills. The Dolphins are 3 and 11 against the Bills in their last 14 games, and the last time they won in Buffalo was back in 2016 on December 24th in overtime. If Miami wants to prove they are a legit contender, then going up to Buffalo and beating the division bullies on their home field is the perfect way to do it.
Besides the last year, in Buffalo, the Dolphins lost badly there as well as being defeated. In addition, Tua has been injured by the Bills in multiple games, and you can bet the Bills will once again be bringing the pressure and gunning to try to knock Tua out.
For all this, a Dolphins win this week will be the biggest win in decades!
This would be an amazing win because the Bills are tough
The Bills have one of the best defenses in the league, allowing the second-lowest points per game at 11.7 just behind the Browns. They have caused a league-leading 9 turnovers; 7 interceptions and 2 fumbles. The Dolphins currently have the best offense in the league averaging 550.3 years per game and 43.3 points per game, which was obviously inflated from their last game against the Broncos, but something will have to give between these two teams.
Sadly, history is generally on the defensive side in regard to who has more success. But, I think this will come down to the little details and fundamentals: keeping Tua upright, limiting offensive turnovers, and penalties, and scoring touchdowns in the red zone instead of settling for field goals. If Miami can do this on offense, I think they’ll have a great chance for success against a very good and stingy Buffalo defense.
Then on the other side of the ball, Miami must find an answer for QB Josh Allen. He has routinely torched the Dolphins both through the air and on the ground with his legs. I doubt Miami will be able to totally shut down Allen. However, they are going to have to come up with a key sack or two, and a key turnover or 2 if they want to give themselves a chance to stop the Bills offense. It looks like Jaelen Phillips who has been a terror for the Bills won’t play and that will make the job much harder.
The sports betting software has the Bills as the hometown favorites at -2.5. Unfortunately, there is more action coming in on the underdog Dolphins with the public jumping on the bandwagon after the offensive explosion the Dolphins last showcased in Miami.
Waddle was a full participant in the Wednesday and Thursday practice, he will play. This is great news with Erik Ezukanma and River Cracraft looking doubtful for the game, which leaves the Dolphins thin at wide receiver. This is a big one! How great will it be if the Dolphins come away with the win?
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts on whether Miami can finally beat the Bills in Buffalo, and then put the rest of the NFL on notice that this team is for real this year?
