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.’

‘150 – Miami has rushed for 150 or more yards in three straight games, the longest active such streak in the league. The Dolphins rank ninth overall in the NFL in rushing at 131 yards per game.’

‘I can’t find a single reason to like the Dolphins in this game. That probably means it’s a safe bet to take Miami. Seriously, though, how could you justify that pick? Josh Allen is 12-2 against Miami, and a couple of plays away from that record being perfect. Tua Tagovailoa returning last week breathed some life into the Dolphins’ offense, but now injuries on the defensive side are a major problem for Miami. If Allen does what he normally does against the Dolphins, is Miami really capable of outscoring the Bills? I can’t see it. Protect the football, which the Bills have been great at, clean up the penalty problems and improve the third-down performance. Do those three things, and a big Bills win should be the result. Bills, 38-17.’

‘Based on those results, it’s hard to argue with the Bills’ decision not to bring any of those six players back.’

‘“Our take is that there are millions of Bills fans out there and the stadium can only hold so many people, so not everyone is going to be able to go, whether there’s a PSL or not,” Christie said. “With that being said, come get your own seat that you can enjoy at home and a $5 coupon for a pumpkin spice latte. That’s it. We’re taking the light side of the PSL issue.”’

‘It is an extraordinary talent of Allen’s to avoid the first (and often the second) pass rusher from getting a sack, apparently with ease. Bills fans have just come to expect it, and it’s a minor surprise when the first guy drags him down. I, for one, have never seen any player on any team do that one thing so (seemingly) effortlessly and consistently.’

‘Johnson is a huge boost to the Bills’ defense. But the team was without him the last time they faced the Miami Dolphins, in Week 2. Johnson had sustained a forearm injury in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.’

‘“(The ball) kind of drifted on me and I didn’t realize how far back I was until I caught it,” Codrington said. “It’s easier to know (your whereabouts) when your heels are on the 10 or 8.”’

‘On its website, Arctos Partners says it is a private investment platform dedicated to the professional sports industry and sports franchise owners. It already has a stake in multiple professional teams across an array of leagues.’

‘The Bills have given up just 10 sacks, which is fewest in the league. Their sack rate of 4.2% is second best, behind only Denver (4.0%). Allen’s sublime ability to escape pressure plays into those numbers, but giving up just 10 sacks through eight games speaks to the pass blocking. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, it takes 2.82 seconds for Bills quarterbacks to be pressured, which is the fifth best in the NFL.’

‘A cool example came near the end of Miami’s first possession against Arizona on Sunday. Miami tight end Jonnu Smith lined up in the backfield and sprinted in motion at the snap to the far right. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took the shotgun snap, took two steps toward Smith, faked a throw with his left hand and shoveled the ball forward with his right for a middle screen to tight end Julian Hill.’

‘“They still have main core concepts and stuff. Obviously, still run a lot of the same stuff,” Rapp said. “But the offense is a whole new identity with Tua back. … I guess that’s the tricky part of game planning this week, trying to figure out exactly what their offense is gonna look like.”‘

‘Allen demonstrated remarkable poise, precision and resilience in his eight offensive series against Seattle, completing 24 of 34 attempts (70.5%) for 283 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Allen also ran the ball effectively in this game, with 25 yards on seven attempts. Allen spread the football to seven different receivers, making it difficult for the Seahawks to take any one player away, and this ball distribution, combined with the electrifying James Cook rushing attack, was more than the Seahawks could handle.’

‘These days she is president of the Downtown Philadelphia Bills Backers. They meet weekly in-season for Bills games at an Irish pub in the shadow of Philly’s City Hall. It’s called Tír na nÓg – Gaelic for “Land of the Young.”‘

‘The Bills ranked No. 1 in the NFL in defending the run with light boxes – six men in the tackle-to-tackle area – in both 2022 (at 67.7% on run plays) and 2023 (at 65.8%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.’