The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins enter their Week 9 divisional clash in different positions.
On the one hand, the Bills are 6-2 and atop the AFC East.
On the other, the Dolphins are 2-5, having been unable to live up to expectations. Of course, a lot of that has been due to Tua Tagovailoa’s lengthy absence.
The Dolphins quarterback suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Bills and was able to return in Week 8.
That’s why, as good as Josh Allen has fared against them in the past, the Buffalo QB knows Miami is better than its record.
“Make no mistake about it, they’re a really good football team. Obviously getting their quarterback Tua back helps, especially on their offensive side of the ball. … I know their record doesn’t indicate it, but they’re playing really good football right now,” Allen said, via FinsXtra.
🎥 Josh Allen on the Miami Dolphins: “They’re a really good football team. Getting their QB Tua back helps, especially on their offensive side of the ball… I know their record doesn’t indicate it but they’re playing really good football.” (@BuffaloBills) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/51EYOAu3a7
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) November 2, 2024
Notably, Tagovailoa has struggled mightily against the Bills, going 1-7 against them in his career.
The Bills got the best of him in that first matchup this season, holding him to 17-of-25 passing for 145 yards and one touchdown while forcing three interceptions before his injury.
The game was already way out of reach before Tagovailoa’s collision with Damar Hamlin that sidelined him for weeks.
Now, the Dolphins will look to even the season series in a hostile environment.
Tagovailoa doesn’t usually do well in colder weather, either, so this looks like a difficult matchup for Mike McDaniel’s team, despite expected temperatures in the mid-50s.
However, anything can happen in a divisional game, and the Dolphins know that a loss would essentially eliminate them from the AFC East race, even if they turn things around later in the season.
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