Make no mistake about it, this Week 3 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills is the Miami Dolphins’ biggest September game in franchise history.
Sure, regardless of the outcome, 14 games remain for both teams with more than 75% of the season to be played. However, in the last several seasons, especially with the addition of Josh Allen and then Stefon Diggs, Buffalo has had Miami’s number. That number is seven, as in straight wins the Bills have had over the Dolphins. 2018 was the last time Miami beat their AFC East rival, and the previous two contests only saw 11 Miami points in total last season.
At the same time, this 2022 team looks and feels different for several reasons, starting up top with head coach Mike McDaniel and his philosophical approach as well as his creation of a culture of confidence and camaraderie not seen in Miami for, well, a long time.
McDaniel’s ability to allow his players to be themselves has given a breath of fresh air to the Dolphins, and their play is showing it. Even when down 21 points on the road in Baltimore last week, Miami rallied and stayed confident to pull off one of the more remarkable wins in NFL history.
The importance of this Buffalo game is that it can break their losing streak against a team who’s a Super Bowl favorite and, at the same time, extend a home winning streak to eight games. The Dolphins would also have a chance to sit at 3-0 and, pending the outcome of the Kansas City Chiefs game, could have sole possession of first place in the conference.
This game has massive short-term and long-term significance because if Miami can hold home court against the Bills, the NFL will be officially put on notice that the Dolphins are not a fluke, and this team is very much for real.
How can Miami get to 3-0 and beat Buffalo? It’s a tall order. Here’s what Miami needs to bring to the table on Sunday, in order to send the Bills crashing through them.