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Miami Dolphins: 3 major takeaways from Week 2 vs. Bills

By Jeremy Klump

Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1), is help of the ground by Miami Dolphins offensive guard Jesse Davis (77), after being sacked by Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Daryl Williams (75) during first quarter action of their NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday in Miami Gardens. Tagovailoa did not return to action. BILL INGRAM/ Palm Beach PostDolphins V Bills 01
Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1), is help of the ground by Miami Dolphins offensive guard Jesse Davis (77), after being sacked by Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Daryl Williams (75) during first quarter action of their NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday in Miami Gardens. Tagovailoa did not return to action. BILL INGRAM/ Palm Beach PostDolphins V Bills 01 /
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Miami Dolphins
Sep 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) celebrates after intercepting a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (not pictured) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Xavien Howard has a chance to win Defensive Player of the Year

I won’t be negative the whole time here, which is surprising because how do you find anything positive from a 35-0 butt-kicking. But I refuse to allow Xavien Howard to have another year go by without getting the recognition he deserves because the rest of the team underperforms.

If it weren’t for Howard, Miami would be 0-2 right now. Luckily, the All-Pro cornerback stripped the ball from Patriots running back Damien Harris and recovered it as well. The takeaway sealed the game for Miami and saved them from losing a game they should have easily won.

Some people felt it wasn’t sustainable for Howard to keep his 10 interception pace, and while they may be right, creating turnovers outside of just interceptions is huge too. But do not worry, Howard can still pick the ball off too.

One of my three bold predictions was that Howard would pick off a Josh Allen pass, and Howard did just that. He slow-played the route perfectly and then jumped in front of Stefon Diggs for the impressive interception.

Howard is an elite defensive player in the NFL, not just a cornerback, and after being a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year last season, Howard has a chance to win the award this year, too.

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