‘“He’s mature, it seems like, beyond his years,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Thursday. “Still a young player, but it’s refreshing to be around a player – a young man like that – who comes in in a humble way and is very focused on what he wants to do and how he wants to get it done.”’
Archives for September 29, 2023
PlayAction column: Bills must try to disrupt Tua Tagovailoa’s elite timing, accuracy
‘The book on defending Tagovailoa is force him to make tougher throws outside the numbers. So far this season, 54 of his 72 completions (75%) have gone to the middle of the field. Compare that with Allen, who has had 27 of 80 completions (34%) to the middle of the field. The Chargers beat Miami last December by playing a lot of press coverage, to take away Tagovailoa’s first read, and they crowded the middle of the field. Easier said than done.’
Bills notebook: Tyler Bass wins monthly award; Ed Oliver delivers on disruptions
‘It’s underselling Bass to say he’s been “pretty consistent.” In September, he was perfect on field goal attempts (7 for 7), as well as point after attempts (10 for 10). He led all AFC kickers with 31 points, and he was good for 50-or-more yards twice.’
How we see it: News writers make predictions on Bills-Dolphins
‘I think they will split the regular-season games, with each team winning at home again. Tyler Bass wins it for Buffalo at the wire. Bills, 31-30.
View from Vegas: Dolphins have found success against spread vs. AFC East
‘Prediction: Dolphins by 6.’
Bills offense may play key role in slowing Dolphins offense. Here’s how.
‘Time of possession could prove to be vital for the Bills in their AFC East showdown against the Miami Dolphins because, in the simplest terms, the longer the Bills have the ball on offense, the more time Tua Tagovailoa and his arsenal of weapons will be in dry dock on the sideline which is certainly the safest place for them to be.’
Four Bills players return to practice Thursday; Poyer remains out; Bass awarded STs Player of the Month
‘The only player who remained absent from Thursday’s session was safety Jordan Poyer, who Bills head coach Sean McDermott deemed day to day with knee soreness while speaking with reporters before practice. During his time at the podium, McDermott confirmed that Poyer’s injury stemmed from a situation during Buffalo’s win over Washington this past Sunday. Poyer was not seen during the media portion of Wednesday or Thursday’s practice.’
Discipline is critical for Bills defense against Miami Dolphins offense built on speed
‘While coaches far too often get credit for being revolutionary in a copycat sport, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is going against the grain. Offenses throughout football are trying to see how thin they can spread defenses side-to-side while McDaniel is compressing the field inside the numbers to hit the edge, and eventually, stretch them vertically.’
Friday’s Miami Coverage
With a new defensive scheme, will the Dolphins have a better answer for Bills QB Josh Allen? (Miami Herald)
Aftermath of Achane breakout, Fangio’s thoughts and starters back at Dolphins practice (Miami Herald)
Dolphins’ Austin Jackson is happy, healthy and contributing to an O-line that’s off to a stellar start (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tua does something no Dolphin has done in 30 years; Waddle clears concussion protocol (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Dolphins DC Vic Fangio thinks “there’s more there” for Jerome Baker and the LB agrees (Palm Beach Post)
Vic Fangio vs. Josh Allen fascinating Dolphins-Bills Sunday storyline (Palm Beach Post)
Jaylen Waddle off injury list; Tua Tagovailoa named AFC offensive player of month (Palm Beach Post)
The Dolphins, in full winning streak, have their first big test of the season (El Nuevo Herald)
Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle clears concussion protocol, set to return (ESPN)
Dolphins vs. Bills in high-octane showdown: Doubt the fish at your own risk (Fox Sports)
Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa named AFC Offensive Player of the Month (WTVJ-TV)
Tagovailoa Named AFC Offensive Player of the Month (MiamiDolphins.com)
Bills seek to slow Dolphins’ speedy offense in early showdown between AFC East powers
‘Much will be on Allen’s shoulders. Perhaps the best way to counter the Dolphins is to keep their offense off the field by winning the time-of-possession edge with lengthy scoring drives.’
High-scoring Dolphins travel to face division rival Buffalo Bills, where Miami has lost 7 in a row
‘Key Matchup: Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill vs. CB Tre’Davious White. Buffalo’s top pass defender has his hands full against a receiver who has 412 yards receiving to rank second in the NFL. White, however, has had a hand in containing Hill in previous meetings. Going back to his time in Kansas City, Hill has combined for 28 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown in five regular-season meetings against Buffalo. The receiver has done much better in three playoff meetings, in which he’s combined for 27 catches for 391 yards and a TD.’
Josh Allen is the key to the Bills cooling off the red-hot Dolphins and here’s why
‘Allen is 9-2 in his career against the Dolphins, including the playoffs, and 6-0 at home, where the Dolphins and Bills play this week. Buffalo had scored 32.7 points per game in Allen’s starts against Miami and Allen has accounted for 34 of the Bills’ 42 offensive touchdowns in those games (81 percent).’
McDermott believes Bills’ youth are gaining valuable experience
‘”Similar to ‘TB’ [Terrel Bernard], he’s matured beyond his years,” said McDermott on Thursday in his chat with the media before practice. “He’s still a young player, so it’s refreshing to be around a player, a young man like that, that comes in, in a humble way, and is very focused on what he needs to do and how he needs to get it done.”‘
Jordan Poyer remains out for Bills, others return to Thursday’s practice
‘Starting safety Jordan Poyer and long snapper Reid Ferguson were the only players on the active roster who did not practice. Poyer continues to deal with knee soreness, while, Ferguson was not participating with a wrist injury.;
Tyler Bass named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month
‘To start the 2023 season, Bass led all AFC kickers with 31 points. He’s been perfect to this point of the year, converting all 10 extra point attempts and going 7-for-7 on his field goal attempts.’