by TYLER HATHAWAY
The Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins enter Thursday’s showdown on completely different season trajectories. Buffalo has opened its season up with two wins, one coming in the form of an incredible comeback and the other a thumping of a division rival. Miami, on the other hand, lost its first game in a blowout and fell in the final minutes to the New England Patriots in Week 2. The two squads will meet on Thursday Night Football. Here’s the breakdown:
MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2/AFC East)
vs.
BUFFALO BILLS (0-2/AFC East)
Thursday, Highmark Stadium, 8:20 pm
Storyline #1: Dolphins in a must-win scenario
It most cases, it would be extreme to label a Week 3 NFL game as “must-win”. Hypothetically speaking, there is nothing stopping an 0-3 team from making the playoffs. But when you look at the history, the Dolphins need to win Thursday’s contest if they have any hope of having a successful season. Since 2000, only one team has made the playoffs after starting the season off 0-3, being the 2018 Houston Texans. It might not even just be a must-win for the team, but for head coach Mike McDaniel, who many believe is firmly on the hot seat after the Dolphins struggles in 2024 and their rocky start to this 2025 season.
Looking ahead at their schedule, the Dolphins aren’t completely done if they fall against Buffalo. Four of their next five games after Buffalo are against teams that failed to reach the playoffs last season, and Miami’s offense showed signs of life in Week 2, scoring 27 points after a dismal eight-point performance in Week 1.
Storyline #2: “Everybody eats” still the motto for Bills offense
One of the biggest points of offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s offense in 2024 was how many different people got involved. For example, 13 different Bills caught passes for touchdowns last season, which was an NFL record. Brady said his offense has an “everybody eats” philosophy.
So far in 2025, Buffalo’s offense has had different players with strong performances in each week. In Week 1, wide receivers Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Joshua Palmer had big games, combining for 19 catches for 247 receiving yards. In Week 2, it was a heavy dosage of running back James Cook, with Cook totaling 135 yards and two touchdowns on 22 touches. So far, five different Bills have scored touchdown this year.
Storyline #3: Joey Bosa’s strong start as a Bill
Defensive end Joey Bosa is coming off of a strong game against the New York Jets, and in his first two games as a Bill is performing well. He has already forced three fumbles this season, including two against the Jets in Week 2, one of which that was recovered by Buffalo. He also had a sack against the Jets last week.
“I think I have a lot to prove to mainly myself, because that’s all that really matters, that I still have stuff to give to this game,” Bosa said to the Associated Press earlier in the week. “It’s just nice to have a fresh start with a new team and get to experience football in a different environment and a whole new situation.”
Key to the game #1: Establish momentum early
Buffalo enters Thursday’s contest against Miami as a heavy favorite. The Bills are 2-0, the Dolphins are 0-2. In games like this, it is imperative as the better team to make sure you don’t give the Dolphins any life, especially when it’s a must-win scenario for a Miami team that is staring an 0-3 start in the face.
Comparing the Dolphins games in Week 1 and Week 2, the Indianapolis Colts offense scored on every drive against the Dolphins in Week 1 and forced turnovers on Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa early that never let the Dolphins get a chance to stabilize. In Week 2, the Patriots scored on their first three drives, which ultimately was the difference in a 33-27 game. To ensure the best chance of winning Thursday night, the Bills need to come out just as hot as the Colts and Patriots did.
Key to the game #2: Don’t let Tua get comfortable
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s two games against the Bills last year were polar opposites of one another. In the first game in Miami, the southpaw couldn’t establish any rhythm passing the football and finished with less than 150 yards passing and three interceptions. But in the rematch in Buffalo, Tagovailoa was in complete control of the Dolphins offense, completing 25 of his 28 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
This season, Tagovailoa has played with mixed results. Against the Colts in Week 1, he finished with a 61% completion percentage for 114 yards while turning the ball over a total of three times. But in Week 2, he threw for over 300 yards and two scores with an 81% completion percentage. However, a late interception proved costly in a one-score loss. It’s crucial that Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich brings early pressure to make Tagovailoa uncomfortable.
X-Factor: Bills linebacker Dorian Williams
Bills head coach Sean McDermott ruled out veteran linebacker Matt Milano for Thursday’s contest, meaning third-year linebacker Dorian Williams will start in his place. Williams started the first 11 games for Buffalo in the 2024 in place of Milano who was out with a long-term injury. The Tulane product started both games against the Dolphins last season and led the Bills in total tackles both times, tying for the lead with 10 in the game in Miami and having the outright lead in the game in Buffalo with a dozen tackles.
The former third round pick plays on multiple special teams units and has seen increased playing time on the defense in year, mainly being brought in as an extra linebacker on running downs. Through two games, Williams has tallied six tackles and one pass-break up.
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