South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
AFC East unbeatens set for showdown
When the Dolphins run: Miami got its ground game going for 4.8 yards per carry in last Sunday’s 42-38 win over the Ravens. It just didn’t splash more because there were limited opportunities playing from behind most of the afternoon. Buffalo, however, to no one’s surprise, is the league’s top-ranked run defense through two weeks, and the Bills just shut down Titans running back Derrick Henry on Monday night. With veteran All-Pro Von Miller now in Buffalo setting one edge and Greg Rousseau, the first-round pick out of Miami in 2021, on the other, plus Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano at linebacker, the Bills possess a stout defensive front. Edge: Bills
When the Bills run: Buffalo’s trio of South Florida running backs will be salivating at the thought of scoring a touchdown back home, especially as neither of the three have scored yet through the Bills’ two blowouts. Devin Singletary (American Heritage-Delray High, FAU) is the starting tailback, but rookie James Cook (Miami Central High) and Zack Moss (Hallandale High) split carries with him, so they all stay fresh. The Dolphins were solid in run defense in Baltimore outside of the 79-yard touchdown allowed to quarterback Lamar Jackson. Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler will be counted on at the line of scrimmage with Jaelan Phillips and Melvin Ingram setting the edge. Miami already knows it will be in for a great challenge against quarterback Josh Allen through the air. They need to at least keep the Bills one-dimensional. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins pass: Tua Tagovailoa is coming off his all-time best performance, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 469 yards and six touchdowns in leading Miami to the thrilling comeback from down 21 points. After being held in check for two touchdowns and two interceptions through three quarters, he was finally able to expose the Ravens’ banged-up secondary with the two long touchdowns to Tyreek Hill on busted coverages and another pair of drives. The Bills are also dealing with injuries to their defensive backs. All-Pro Tre’Davious White is out on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list. Fellow cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Micah Hyde are also out, with safety Jordan Poyer questionable. Buffalo, nonetheless, ranks second in the league through two weeks in pass defense, even while playing from ahead so often when opponents can pad their stats late. But will they be as effective with rookies Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam covering the Dolphins’ elite receiving combo? Edge: Dolphins
When the Bills pass: Allen has been known to torch the Dolphins, but Miami made progress in that regard in two meetings last year, keeping him to passer ratings of 75.2 and 100.2, his lowest since his first appearance against the Dolphins as a rookie. His five outings in between all saw him post a passer rating above 110. Allen, in eight games against Miami, has 21 touchdowns to five interceptions as he enters on a sevengame win streak versus the division rival. It’s a bad sign for the Dolphins that cornerback Xavien Howard sat out Wednesday’s drills with a groin injury, but he and cornerbacks coach Sam Madison are confident he’ll be ready. He made it through the win over the Ravens but didn’t look like himself when he got beat for a long touchdown by Rashod Bateman, couldn’t catch up to Jackson on his touchdown scamper and dropped a pick-six. The Dolphins must pressure Allen after their blitzes were ineffective against Jackson and the Ravens. Edge: Bills
Special teams: Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass is perfect on three field goals and nine extra points. Sam Martin, the punter who is rarely used because the Bills offense is so productive, is averaging 48.5 yards on his punts. Buffalo uses South Florida product Isaiah McKenzie on kick returns and Jamison Crowder on punt returns. The Dolphins gave up a 103-yard return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff against the Ravens, so special teams coordinator Danny Crossman has been letting his unit have it in practice. Edge: Bills
Intangibles: The Dolphins have the heat and humidity of South Florida in September on their side. They have a day and half more rest than the Bills after their last game. The Bills are dealing with a number of injuries. All that gives the Dolphins the intangible edge for the 1 p.m. kickoff under the sun at Hard Rock Stadium. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 31, Bills 27