Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills: On offense

The Miami Dolphins will play the Buffalo Bills this weekend which you of course already know and both teams are coming into the game 1-1 which you of course already know. The difference is that that Bills lost to the Patriots while the Dolphins lost to the, ah hell never mind.

More from Dolphins News

• 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
• Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
• 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
• Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
• The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft

The Dolphins face a tough opponent this week and one of the best defensive fronts they will face all season long. The Bills have a top rated up front defensive line coming into week three giving up just 60 yards per game against the run. Miami ran for something like 57 combined last week against the, ah hell who cares anymore. O.k. I’m trying to be funny while driving home the fact we lost to the freaking Jaguars.  Yes it still burns me.

What Miami does this Sunday could have a lasting effect on the season. A loss will not only put them at 1-3 but they will be essentially two games behind the Bills. In normal season no one would really care in week three of the season but what drives and fuels this talk is the fact that a loss could have lasting mental issues with this team. The Dolphins as we have said in almost every article written since week one, are not playing very well.

To say this week will be a challenge, is an understatement.

For the Dolphins getting a victory over a tough physical team can just as easily turn the team around. Confidence breathes life into teams and winning can cure a lot. There is no inner team turmoil yet but that will change if Miami continues to play this poorly. It’s one of the reasons Miami needs a good game on Sunday.

When the Dolphins are on offense the number one priority is to stop the Bills defensive line. The combination of Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, and Jerry Hughes is tough for any team to take down. The approach that Miami takes on Sunday will go a long way to how well the team can perform.

For starters, the Dolphins need to get creative with their offense. This vanilla play calling we have seen for the last three years has become stagnant. There is so little differences between the Mike Sherman offense and the Bill Lazor offense that Lazor should be offended. This stuff is going to cost him future gigs and the blame has to go on Philbin. Philbin is such a soft coach that it’s easy as hell to see his fingerprints on both sides of the ball.

The Dolphins need to get away from this, “try to have a mistake free game”. Just freaking go out and play the game physically and mentally strong. It didn’t serve them too well last week playing soft and committing 13 penalties for over 100 yards last week. Just let them play.

Against the Bills Miami can’t afford to play soft and the reason is simple, the Dolphins don’t have an offensive line that can sustain blocks long enough to let the offensive plays develop. Miami has to attack the defensive line and they need to do it fast. Where is the “no-huddle” offense we thought we would see? We need to see it now. Get them tired, keep them tired, and beat them down. Quick counts, quick snaps, and quick throws.  Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The Dolphins need to have a fast paced game to beat the Bills pass rush. Delayed hand-offs, play action passing, quick slants to the tight-ends and slot receivers, and even the read option will all be play designs that will work against a faster defensive opponent. Wear them down and keep them down. The Bills are a well conditioned team so the Dolphins can’t let up.

Lamar Miller will not likely make much of an impact in this game but that doesn’t mean the Dolphins shouldn’t use him. The Bills are very good against the run but Miami can use the running game to their advantage. For starters, I wouldn’t run the ball on 2nd down. Chances are the Dolphins offensive line won’t hold the blocks long enough to make positive yards and unless it’s second and five or less the Dolphins are only setting themselves up for a 3rd and long. Which we all know they struggle with.

First down is the Dolphins best opportunity to run the ball and if they can establish first down success and can create that 2nd and mid-yardage situation then they can pound it again but please, no outside sweeps. The Dolphins don’t have the blockers capable of holding the edge. Just hit them in the mouth.

Forget the deep ball. The Bills safeties and corners are good. They are not Derrell Revis good but they are good and to be frank, Ryan Tannehill isn’t likely going to have the time to allow those plays to develop. The Dolphins don’t scare anyone with their deep passes anyways so why bother to show that you are willing to take a shot downfield? 20 to 30 yards max and let the receivers try and outrun the secondary. It’s safe football but it’s also a lot quicker than taking one of your receivers out of the offense for a pass no one believes you will one, throw, and two, complete.

This will be a very tough game for the Dolphins and while I understand that this article has a thick overtone of negativity to it, there is a reality based on the way the offensive line has performed the last two weeks going up against a very talented defensive line this week. The thing is there is no problems with the running back personnel or the wide-receiver personnel, and nothing wrong with the quarterback. It all starts and ends until proven otherwise with five men on the offensive line who simply are not doing their jobs.

Until they do, every week may be tough for the Dolphins offense.