1. Pick a man, let it fly. That was Dan Marino’s line and it ought to be Tua Tagovailoa’s Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Buffalo. Due to damage, the Bills begin two rookies at cornerback and two sixth-round picks with one mixed begin between them at security. Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen White ought to be capable of discover locations to select on once more this week. The Bills are with out three-fourths of their beginning secondary with 2021 All-Pro security Jordan Poyer and second-time Pro Bowl security Micah Hyde becoming a member of 2019 All-Pro cornerback Tre’davious White on the damage listing. Hyde is out for the yr. Poyer and Hyde mixed for 10 interceptions final yr, probably the most of any security tandem.
In their place are two sixth-round picks with one profession begin mixed in Jaquan Johnson and Damar Hamlin. Hamlin has no begins and 78 defensive snaps over the previous two years. Rookies Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam will begin at cornerback. You don’t assume the Dolphins passing sport is salivating? Mike McDaniel ought to be capable of create mismatches contemplating there are three reserves to go at. Tua threw in opposition to two fourth-round rookies final week in Baltimore. Now as an alternative of throwing at veteran stars he’s going in opposition to bit gamers. There will likely be probabilities assuming …
2. Terron Armstead’s toe holds up. The Bills are additionally with out two defensive tackles in Ed Oliver and Jordan Phillips. The center of the Dolphins line ought to maintain up advantageous. Armstead didn’t observe this week with a toe concern however is anticipated to play. He’s wanted to dam Von Miller, assuming the Bills don’t shuffle him to the opposite facet to go at proper sort out Greg Little. Last week, Little performed in addition to injured starter Austin Jackson. The Bills have cross rush with Miller and Greg Rousseau on the sides (although Rousseau moved inside at occasions final week). But an excellent Bills protection that’s given up a complete of 17 factors by means of two video games is harm by damage.
3. Contain Josh Allen. The Dolphins ought to be capable of rating, contemplating their firepower and the Bills lacking 5 defensive gamers. The query is that if Allen goes off on the Dolphins protection like Lamar Jackson did for 3 quarters final Sunday. Does a cross rush emerge? Allen can run with energy the place Jackson did with flash. He can also throw the ball and his offense put up 31 factors on the Los Angeles Rams and 41 in opposition to Tennessee. You’re not going to cease Allen. But the thought is to not let him have the form of sport that may win the day. That means …
4. The Dolphins cornerbacks have to carry up. Xavien Howard didn’t observe with a groin concern this week, despite the fact that the thought was he ought to play. They want him as a result of even with undrafted rookie Kader Kohou taking part in effectively for injured Byron Jones on the different nook, the Bills receivers are harmful. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis make as imposing a receiving tandem as Hill and Waddle.
5. Depth. How deep are these groups? In the warmth, with their accidents, this will likely be a giant take a look at for a Buffalo staff that began its rebuild a few years earlier than the Dolphins and has been a contender the previous two seasons. The Dolphins have had a jillion draft picks lately to construct up their depth. It’s early within the season to must depend upon it, however a 1 p.m. kickoff in September calls for everybody play.
Prediction: Dolphins 34, Bills 31. I’ve added some extra factors from a mid-week prediction as a result of accidents. At residence, driving confidence and given the state of the Bills secondary, I feel the Dolphins come out 3-0.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com