NFL 2024-25 Thursday Night Week 2 Game Review: Bills Earn Exclamation Point Early Showdown on Road Over Dolphins

    

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Thursday Night Football: Buffalo Bills 31,Miami Dolphins 10

This was a big, early season showdown that could prove to set the tone for the duration of the season, although it is really still too early to tell. However, it felt to me as if this was more important for the Dolphins, since they had to prove that they actually could beat the Bills. That was particularly important, because they were the ones who were at home for this one.

Statistically, the Dolphins sure looked like they should have won this game. They owned a decisive advantage in terms of time of possession, controlling the ball for over 36 minutes. Their offense produced 351 total yards, to just 247 total yards for the Bills. 

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen did not have a banner day, but he was at least efficient on those relatively few occasions he did put the ball in the air, completing 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. James Cook added 78 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, which really helped the Bills in this one.

In a losing effort, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 17 of 25 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown, although crucially, he also threw three INT's, including a pick six. De'Von Achane proved to be his favorite target, earning 69 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. On the ground De'Von Achane also proved to be a force for the Fins, earning 96 yards on 22 carries.

However, it was the mistakes which really hurt Miami in this one. They had far more penalty yards called against them, with seven penalties costing them 50 yards, to just one penalty for five yards going against Buffalo. Also, the Fins allowed two sacks, while the Bills allowed none. The Dolphins turned the ball over three times, all via interceptions, with one of them returned all the way for a pick six.

So it is the Buffalo Bills who win to pull ahead early in the AFC East. They improved to 2-0 on the year, while Miami falls to 1-1.

To be fair, these two teams will meet again later in the season, in early November. Still, it feels like the weather may be much more of a factor in that one than it was in this game, and that would figure to work in Buffalo's favor. At least, that is what most would assume.

With this win, the Bills move up to 2-0, and will now get to enjoy an unusually long period of rest before their next game, which will be a Monday Night Game where they host the Jaguars. They then will have to travel on the road to Baltimore to face the Ravens, in what should be a huge test for this team.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, will travel out west to face the Seahawks next, and then will host the Titans in their final game this September.

My pick: Inaccurate