Buffalo News

‘Whether it’s through a subtle shift in philosophy or a necessity brought on by the reality of the salary cap, the end result is the same: First-year players are contributing to the Bills’ 7-2 start. That was true against the Dolphins, starting with running back Ray Davis. The team’s fourth-round draft choice out of Kentucky, Davis rushed four times for 20 yards and added two catches for 70 yards, including a 63-yard score in the third quarter that put the Bills up 20-13 after fellow rookie Keon Coleman’s two-point conversion catch.’

‘Hollins played 45 offensive snaps during the Bills’ 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium. That was 68% of the offensive total. He responded with five catches on five targets for 30 yards and one touchdown.’

‘The Bills played with two safeties deep on 41 of 59 plays – 69% of the snaps, per News charting. The light box defense didn’t work well vs. the run. Miami gained 100 yards on 16 carries vs. two-high coverage looks, an average of 6.25 yards per carry. The Bills were inviting Miami to run the ball and throw short underneath.’

‘Offensive coordinator Joe Brady used big personnel more than the three-receiver set in the win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The Bills went with 11 personnel (three wideouts) on 29 plays. They used multiple tight ends and/or an extra offensive lineman on 30 plays. Josh Allen was 11 of 16 passing for 136 yards out of big personnel.’

‘But the Town of Tonawanda resident insists he never would have worn the shirt if he had known the Bills don’t let fans wear items with political messages. “I wasn’t going there to start trouble,” he said in an interview Monday.’

‘The golden throat of CBS play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan found just the right words after Tyler Bass’ record 61-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the game gave the Bills the victory. Harlan’s enthusiasm on key plays is exceeded by few play-by-play announcers.’

‘Given the circumstances, Bass’ kick Sunday was the unlikeliest in team history. That’s because of the struggles he’d had leading up to it – including a missed extra-point attempt earlier in the day, as well as a bank-shot PAT that went through after it ricocheted off the left upright.’

‘All together now, Bills fans. Join your team’s players, coaches and staff. E-x-h-a-l-e. Take a deep breath. Maybe many deep breaths. And then enjoy what you saw on a perfect afternoon of weather and competition.’

‘“You look around the league, most teams have a star or two or three, right?” head coach Sean McDermott said. “And so the team really to me, the journey is well, how, who’s gonna step up for us, right? At critical moments of a game or critical moments of the season, who are the players that are gonna kind of come from the depth of the roster and step up into starting roles and play and perform at the level that we need them to, for us to win?”’

‘The Bills scored 30 points, but they could have – should have – scored 41. They gave away seven points when Keon Coleman dropped a pass at the Miami 3 that was intercepted. They settled for a field goal when a 21-yard scramble touchdown by Allen was called back by a dubious holding penalty on O’Cyrus Torrence. And on the previous play, Dion Dawkins was flagged for holding when he put Chop Robinson to the ground with a legal snatch-trap move. That was an unlucky sequence.’

‘It took a bit for the Bills’ offense to get humming in the first half. Their first nine plays gained 4, minus-1, 0, 1, 3, 11, 2, 5 and minus-7 yards. They didn’t have an explosive play (a pass of at least 16 yards or a rush of at least 12) in falling behind 10-6 at halftime. They finished the game with five explosive plays (two passes and three rushes).’

‘“I don’t think it surprises me anymore,” Morris said. “Josh is just going to find a way to make a play. Just keep my eyes on him and we locked eyes, and I’m blessed he gave me the chance to make a play.”’

‘The Dolphins definitively won the battle in the trenches, rushing 31 times for 149 yards. Frankly, it felt like more than that, as Miami ball carriers consistently had big holes to run through. De’Von Achane gained 63 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown, and Raheem Mostert added 56 yards on 10 carries. Mostert, however, had a costly miscue when he fumbled on the opening drive of the third quarter. Nickel cornerback Taron Johnson forced the fumble and Kaiir Elam recovered the key takeaway. Safety Taylor Rapp dropped Mostert for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-1 run play in the first quarter, forcing the Dolphins to attempt a 39-yard field goal. Elam also had a tackle for loss in run support, as did defensive end Greg Rousseau. The Bills got just one tackle from Ed Oliver and two from Austin Johnson. Defensive tackles Eli Ankou and DaQuan Jones did not make any tackles. Linebacker Dorian Williams was active for the Bills with a game-high 12 tackles.’

‘But the race is on for the conference’s top five teams to secure the top seed, the only first-round bye and overall home-field advantage. Here is a look at each team, ranked by The Buffalo News:’

‘Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is ready for the challenge the Dolphins offense brings. “They do a great job,” Babich said Monday. “Every time we play them it’s certainly a challenge. They do such a good job. They have reasons for things they do. You know, they can attack you different ways.” With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back, expect quick-release throws and yards after the catch from the Dolphins offense. The Bills, who will have Von Miller back, need to get to Tagovailoa and be sure in their tackling all around the field. “I look at it like this, when it comes to tackling,” Babich said, “you’re either willing or you’re not willing.” On Sunday, the Bills need to prove they’re willing.’