ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Here are my five takeaways from the Buffalo Bills’ 31-10 victory against the Miami Dolphins Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium:
1. This was as big as a Week 2 win can get, with the Bills making a massive statement in multiple ways.
First, they flat-out embarrassed a team that had figured to be the biggest threat to their chances of repeating as AFC East champions. And they did it in Miami’s house by being more physical on both sides of the ball as they continued their dominance of the Dolphins, winning 11 of the last 12 meetings.
Second, the Bills overcame another blow to their defense, with a pectoral injury suffered by linebacker and captain Terrel Bernard, and more than held their own against Miami’s speedy offensive weapons. Before leaving the game late in the third quarter with a concussion suffered in a collision with Damar Hamlin while running for a first down, Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions. The Bills cashed in the turnovers for 17 points, including a 31-yard pick-six by Ja’Marcus Ingram. Ingram, a former University at Buffalo standout, also had an interception on a deflected pass to set up Buffalo’s first TD.
Third, the Bills’ secondary, with its revamped look at safety and with Cam Lewis stepping in for injured All-Pro nickel back Taron Johnson, had no problem neutralizing Tyreek Hill (three catches for 24 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (four catches for 41 yards).
The Bills played with an elevated intensity and a purpose, while the Dolphins seemed anything but ready to play. It was clear the Bills were fed up with hearing they are less of a team than a year ago, while the Dolphins appeared to have been caught up in the hype they are ready to take over the division.
2. Unlike a week ago, Josh Allen, who is now 13-1 against the Dolphins, did not have to put the team on his back.
Besides getting tremendous support from the defense, he also had the help of a solid ground game, with James Cook running for two touchdowns, including a 49-yarder, and catching a third. Cook finished with 78 yards on 11 carries, an average of 7.1 yards per rush.
The Bills’ offensive line did a good job of getting a push, especially in the first half, as Buffalo took control of the game.
Allen only threw 19 passes, completing 13 for 139 yards and a score. He wore a glove, with the middle two fingers taped, on the left hand he injured Sunday against Arizona.
3. Baylon Spector did a superb job in Terrel Bernard’s place.
He was active and consistently put himself in the right place to make plays.
Spector and Dorian Williams, who is filling in for injured Matt Milano, performed well enough to at least give the Bills some optimism about their ability to weather what could be long-term absences by their top two starting linebackers. Spector, Williams, and Hamlin each had 10 tackles to tie for the team lead.
The Bills’ front seven played with good speed that did plenty to minimize the impact of the Dolphins’ hyper-fast offensive attack. Between Tagovailoa’s interceptions and the Dolphins’ inability to get anything going with their receivers, Miami coach Mike McDaniel used a mostly conservative game plan. De’Von Achane carried a game-high 21 times for 90 yards.
4. It’s reasonable to say the game effectively was over when the Dolphins, trailing 17-7, failed to convert a fourth-and-two from the Buffalo 45 with 3:45 left in the first half.
That was because Ed Oliver, after a quiet season-opener, shoved guard Robert Jones aside on the way to sacking Tagovailoa for a loss of six yards to give the Bills the ball at the Miami 49. One play later, Cook ran 49 yards for a touchdown giving the Bills a 24-7 lead.
The sack and the TD effectively sucked all the air out of the Dolphins and their fan support, which steadily disappeared the rest of the way.
5. The Bills now get a long break before their next game, Sept. 23 against Jacksonville on Monday Night Football at Highmark Stadium.
It will give Allen time for his hand to heal, and allow others to get a nice early-season breather. Whether the injury caused him any difficulty Thursday night wasn’t overly apparent, though he did have a fumbled shotgun snap that he recovered.
The lengthy respite also gives us a chance to ponder what these 2-0 Bills are all about. Besides having new faces, they also have a new look, especially in terms of their offensive style.
Joe Brady has firmly put his stamp on the scheme, going with more power and balance. He isn’t asking Allen to try to do a great deal with his passing arm. Most of his throws have been of the high-percentage variety, reflected by Kahlil Shakir leading the Bills with five receptions for 54 yards, followed by tight end Dalton Kincaid with four catches for 33 yards.
Bobby Babich also merits credit for his effective use of a Cover Two base defense that eliminated deep throws and forced the Dolphins to get whatever was available underneath coverage. Babich also was impressive in the adjustments that allowed the Bills to rebound from a poor defensive first half in their season-opening win against the Cardinals.