The Buffalo Bills will face the Miami Dolphins for the second time this season on Sunday. It's against a 2-5 Dolphins team with nothing to lose anymore, so the Bills may find this matchup challenging as Miami also gets back to full health. Should Bills fans be concerned about this matchup? Most likely not, but it should be closer than previous matchups. This Dolphins team was expected to compete for the division with the Bills, so sitting with six losses already has surprised many people. With a roster as well built as this one is, there are many Dolphins players you have to be concerned about. In this article, however, let's take a look at three specifically.
Running back Devon Achane
The speedy second-year running back has been the lone bright spot of this Dolphins offense. In a season of turmoil that has been plagued by injuries, the Dolphins have counted on him to remain healthy and play well. This season he’s totaled 357 yards and one touchdown on the ground, with another 244 yards and two touchdowns through the air. With multiple quarterbacks starting for Miami, Achane has been a reliable checkdown for everyone.
Against Buffalo in Week 2, Achane finished with 22 rushes for 96 yards while also totaling another 69 yards on seven receptions. Sunday could be another game where Miami relies on Achane to carry the offense.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller
There isn’t much on this Dolphins defense to be excited about anymore. After losing Christian Wilkins in free agency, and multiple others to injury, it’s tough to find any bright spots on that side of the ball. Fuller, on the other hand, has played exceptionally well throughout the season, allowing nine receptions, 119 yards, and zero touchdowns on 18 targets all season, according to PlayerProfiler. The Bills' passing attack has looked much better since these two team’s last matchup. Since acquiring Amari Cooper via trade, rookie Keon Coleman and second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid have all seen a boost in production. Fuller, along with safety Jevon Holland have been the lone contributors of this secondary, and one that Buffalo has historically been able to pick apart.
Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle
Since entering the league in 2021, Waddle has been a difference maker in this Dolphins' passing attack, as he’s totaled 3,699 yards and 18 touchdowns over his career. Now, he’s having a “down year”, but that’s no fault of his own. Both Waddle and Tyreek Hill have thrived with Tua Tagovailoa as their quarterback, but the duo have only played in three games together this season. In their three games together, Waddle has put up pretty decent numbers, totaling 195 yards on 13 receptions.
Waddle will be looked at a good amount over the course of this game, as the Bills are able to hold Tyreek Hill to very low numbers each time these two teams face off. If Buffalo can keep Waddle contained, the Dolphins’ passing attack will take a huge blow.