4 keys to victory for the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins
By Theo Bachman
Buffalo Bills must win against man coverage
Despite one of their top outside cornerbacks Byron Jones starting the season on the PUP list, the Dolphins have been one of the most aggressive teams in man coverage to start the season. In week two, the Dolphins led the league by utilizing man coverage on 73.5% of plays. The adjustment to a man-heavy approach was a big key in their come-from-behind victory.
The Dolphins’ heavy man coverage usage could be explained by the lack of weapons in the Patriots and Ravens passing game, but I think the Bills coaches should be prepping to see a lot of man coverage on Sunday.
The Bills have plenty of wide receivers capable of shredding man coverage, so if the coaches properly game plan, it should be another big week for this Bills passing offense. Xavien Howard appears to have lost a step early in the season, and Stefon Diggs should be able to control that matchup.
Last season we saw Isiah McKenzie get deployed in a big way against a Patriots team that likes to stay in man, so there’s a chance this could be McKenzie’s first big day of the campaign.
If the Bills’ receivers win against man coverage, the offense should be able to continue to move the ball at will.