The Miami Dolphins keys to victory against the Buffalo Bills

2. Dominate the Buffalo Bill’s offensive line

I already know the criticism that comes with trying to duplicate Pittsburgh’s strategy. Miami has the players in the secondary to do it, but TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Melvin Ingram aren’t walking through the door anytime soon.

Miami doesn’t have an established all pro pass rusher, but they have some younger players that are capable of turning in that kind of performance. This would be the perfect statement game for a young ascending pass rusher to put the rest of the league on notice, and this offensive line looks vulnerable to it.

Nobody was pressured more in week one than quarterback Josh Allen. His offensive line surrendered 22 pressures against the Pittsburgh Steelers and that was without the Steelers brining a fifth or sixth man. Allen was also sacked three times and knocked down an additional four times.

SIS Data Hub also tracks “blown blocks,” which is any play where an offensive lineman fails to block his man. These aren’t plays where Josh Allen holds the ball for 5 seconds and runs into a sack, these are plays where the line is beat.

Three of the Buffalo Bills starting lineman where in the top-ten of all offensive lineman in blown pass blocks for week one. Their right tackle Darryl Williams (5), left tackle Dion Dawkins (4), and left guard John Feliciano (4). This is partly the product of facing a strong defensive line, but this unit is still showing some cracks.

Which Dolphins pass rushers are most set to take advantage of this? The first that comes to mind is Jaelan Phillips. He was drafted in the first round for just this reason and has all the physical tools you could ever ask for. His first step was among the quickest in the NFL this past week and he had a productive game against a superior New England offensive line.

From that edge spot, Emmanuel Ogbah and Andrew Van Ginkel have also had great games rushing the passer and are capable of beating these Bills tackles. The Dolphins haven’t been great at rushing the passer from the interior, but Zach Sieler and Christian Wilkins are their best hope for attacking this Bills interior.

Whatever the Miami Dolphin’s defensive game plan ends up being, it will be paramount that their defensive line has a good day against this Bills offensive line.

Advanced stats are courtesy of SIS Data Hub Pro