3. Bend, but don’t break
Only one team has defeated Buffalo this season — the Miami Dolphins stunned the Bills with a 21-19 win in Week 3.
Looking at the box score, you wouldn’t believe it.
They won despite Josh Allen throwing for 400 yards and two touchdowns and the Bills rushing for 115 yards at five yards per carry. Buffalo outgained Miami by 497 yards to 212, and held the football for an incredible 40:40, compared to just 19:20 for the Dolphins.
Yet, somehow, the Dolphins held the Bills to 19 points, two of which came on a safety.
That’s because the Dolphins allowed long drives, but they held firm in the end.
The game was tied 14-14 at halftime. The Bills would then hold the ball for just over 22 of the 30 second-half minutes. Despite that, they only added five points to their total.
Buffalo ran a 20-play, 87-yard drive to begin the second half, taking 9:22 off the clock. But Miami held firm, allowing only a field goal. All that work just for three points.
On the Bills’ next drive, they went 60 yards on six plays, but the Dolphins again forced a field goal, which Tyler Bass missed. That’s now 26 plays and 147 yards, but just three points scored.
Buffalo then ran a 17-play, 73-yard drive that took 8:19 off the clock. This time, the Bills went for it on fourth down but failed to convert. The Dolphins allowed another long drive but gave up zero points when it mattered.
On their final drive, the Bills took seven plays to go 36 yards before time expired.
Miami gave up a ton of yards and time of possession, but when it mattered most, the defense held strong.
The Packers won’t stop the Bills’ offense from moving the ball. What they must do is keep them out of the end zone as often as possible.