The Buffalo Bills will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 9 at Highmark Stadium.
The Bills (6-2) and Dolphins (2-5) meet for the second time this year and have largely been trending in different directions.
In their first meeting, the Bills won convincingly, 31-10. This week, the Bills are favored by six points.
Even though Buffalo blew Miami out in Week 2 and is favored to win this time around, there are always a few things that make executing difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.
Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 9:
Miami has their QB back
The Dolphins looked like a bottom-of-the-barrel NFL team without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. After he left Week 2’s loss to the Bills due to a concussion, the offense fell apart as he was forced to miss the next four games. In the games without him, they averaged just 10 points per game.
He made his return last week and the Dolphins scored 27 points in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He is the difference maker for the Dolphins. He and head coach Mike McDaniel haven’t had success against the Bills, but with him under center, they can’t be taken lightly.
Dolphins running game
Even though the Dolphins have had poor offensive performances as of late, they have still found success running the football. Especially with second-year running back De’Von Achane.
Achane has averaged 87 rushing yards per game and almost seven yards per carry in the Dolphins’ last two games.
In the Week 2 loss to the Bills, Achane was the lone bright spot on the offense. He ran for 96 yards and added 69 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.
Running back Raheem Mostert has hurt the Bills in the past, too. And they have another speedster to look out for in rookie Jaylen Wright.
The desperation factor
If not now for the Dolphins, then when?
The Dolphins need a win in the worst way. Slipping to 2-6 would have them toeing the line of a forgotten season just eight games in. Frustrations are mounting for both the team and its fans.
The Dolphins have a tall task to go into Buffalo and come away with the win. The last time they won in Orchard Park, Rex Ryan was in charge of the Bills. But, they will be emptying the clip in hopes of turning their season around. Expect different looks and desperate measures from the Dolphins.
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