Written By: Matthew Conciatori
Edited By: Cameron Schoffro
On September 19th, 2021, the Miami Dolphins achieved the (dis)honour of being the first team in the 2021 NFL season to be shut out. The Buffalo Bills showed their true colours last game in Miami Gardens as they beat down the Miami Dolphins 35-0. The game started great for the Bills as Taron Johnson came off the left tackle’s edge (Austin Jackson) unblocked and sacking Tua Tagovailoa. Shortly after, on the next drive, Tagovailoa was carted off the field with fractured ribs due to a clean hit by AJ Epenesa as he was left unblocked on the right edge on 4th down. The key point to remember on the hit is that Tua is a left-handed quarterback, meaning his right side is considered his blind side. It did seem like ever since kickoff, though, the game was in the hands of the Bills. With Tua leaving in the first quarter, the Bills continued to expose and reveal the deep-rooted issues with the Dolphins roster and coaching staff.
After watching game film about four times now, the main and only takeaway I can make regarding the Dolphins is their offensive line going from concerning to a disaster. Ever since 2020, the team has drafted four offensive linemen within the first four rounds, yet it does not look promising for the future. On six of Tua’s drop backs, he was pressured four times and sacked twice. Even with backup Jacoby Brissett under center, he felt pressure on 28 of his 47 drop backs (60% rate). Last season, Miami finished 10-6, although they had an easy schedule. This season will seriously expose the true colours of the fins.
With the 35-0 win, it was a relatively easy day for Josh Allen. Now not to gas up Allen, but he has been off to a slow start this season. Regardless, Allen still has managed to flash his style of electric football, but even he has admitted there is no secret he has not been in his best form this season. There should be no worries for the Bills Mafia since Allen has played a top-five defence in week one (Pittsburgh Steelers) and a stellar secondary from Miami. Allen will progressively transition back into the form that fans saw last year. The key positive to take away from Allen’s play this season is that the Buffalo Bills can win football games even without Allen playing his best.
The defence is full of absolute dawgs in Buffalo. They have certainly proved their worth after an average season last year, as there was not anything too spectacular or notable from the defence. Against the Dolphins this past Sunday, the Bills defence prevented Miami from getting on the scoreboard due to turnovers and failing to convert on four fourth downs.
In the first drive, two defensive back sacks came from Taron Johnson and Micah Hyde. Rookie, Greg Rousseau, added his first two NFL sacks during this game; on top of Justin Zimmer and Matt Milano recording sacks, as well. AJ Epenesa showed that he owns Austin Jackson in the NFL and college, dating back to their previous college bowl game between Iowa vs USC. The pass rush is showing hustle and grit against NFL offences, and they will not be going away anytime soon. The Bills had six QB hits and four sacks before halftime! Sean McDermott’s investment in this defensive line is certainly paying off.
The Bills held the Dolphins to just 216 yards through the entire game, even while playing from behind. Coverage from the secondary and linebacker core was insane, even with Tremaine Edmunds and Levi Wallace out for much of the game due to cramping and heat illness. The
Dolphins had the ball for 31:34 of game time and yet failed to get on the scoreboard. The defence held Miami to 8/18 on third down, and Taron Johnson and Matt Milano combined for a forced fumble and a recovery.
This Buffalo team has yet to show their ultimate best this season. With only two games into the regular season, the Bills have produced a strong systematic defence under Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier; however, they have not displayed their Sunday best on the offensive side of the ball.
It's is the only start of the season… Bills Mafia, there is still LOTS of football yet to be played.
Matthew Conciatori
3rd Year Honours Political Science
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