Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills: Scouting report, prediction for Thursday Night Football
MIAMI GARDENS — Palm Beach Post sports journalist Joe Schad breaks down the Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills game Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m, Amazon Prime).
Buffalo Bills (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (1-0)
The coaches: Bills: Sean McDermott (74-41), Dolphins: Mike McDaniel (21-14).
Last game: Bills beat the Cardinals 34-28, Dolphins beat the Jaguars, 20-17.
Last meeting: Jan. 7, 2024: Buffalo 21, at Miami 14
Key matchups
Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver vs. Bills QB Josh Allen
It's not typical to list a coach here, but Weaver gets his first crack at solving the monster that is Josh.
Dolphins G Liam Eichenberg vs. Bills DT Ed Oliver
Eichenberg has a shoulder concern, but if he's in there, he has to find a way to hold up.
Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks vs. Bills QB Josh Allen/RB James Cook
Brooks and David Long looked good as a duo in Week 1. Can they slow Buffalo's run?
Scouting report
Dolphins run offense vs. Bills run defense
The Dolphins led the NFL with an average of 5.1 yards per rush last season. De'Von Achane (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (chest) would not have practiced on Monday and Tuesday (the team had walk-throughs). But Jeff Wilson had a strong finish to the last game. And rookie Jaylen Wright waits in the wings.
Edge: Even
Dolphins pass offense vs. Bills pass defense
The Dolphins were second in the NFL with 8.3 yards per pass attempt last season. The Bills were seventh in quarterback passer rating against. They did lose safety Jordan Poyer to Miami. Bills cornerback Taron Johnson is expected out. There are two news safeties. Cornerback Tre'Davious White is in Los Angeles.
Edge: Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa: I saw Tyreek Hill detainment on live TV before Sunday's game
Bills run offense vs. Dolphins run defense
The Bills were eighth in the NFL in rushing average with 4.3 yards per carry last season. James Cook is a very solid back, and a receiving weapon. The Dolphins were fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt allowed. But Miami had a big loss with Christian Wilkins' departure.
Edge: Even
Bills pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense
The Bills were seventh in the NFL with 7.4 yards per pass attempt last season. But receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone. Miami was 24th in opposing quarterback passer rating allowed last season. Xavien Howard has been replaced by Kendall Fuller. Josh Allen is the X-factor here. He's been a Dolphins killer.
Edge: Bills
Special Teams
The Bills are average on special teams. The Dolphins had a bad season in 2023 but a pretty good start to the 2024 season on Sunday.
Edge: Even
Joe's NFL power rankings: Where Miami Dolphins stand after Week 1
Prediction
It feels like this is the moment it changes. This is the moment Western New York domination ends. Tua Tagovailoa can gain secrets from his locker mate, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer. And the loss of Dolphins-killer Stefon Diggs burns the Bills. Buffalo misses a chance to win it. Wide right.
Pick: Dolphins 24, Bills 23
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills: Scouting report, prediction
