Two Bills Drive

‘Still, the Bills have performed quite well on the shortest amount of rest teams can receive, going 5-1 on Thursday night after a Sunday game under McDermott. After losing to the Jets on a Thursday in 2017, McDermott’s first season, the Bills have run off five straight victories with Josh Allen as their quarterback – including a 31-10 demolition of the Dolphins in Week 2 of the 2024 season.’

‘“Those guys are huge for us,” left guard David Edwards said of the Bills’ tight ends. “What’s great about that group is just how selfless they are. In a game like that where the run is effective, heavier personnel and tight-end stuff is working, they’re willing to do whatever it takes. For them to be able to say, this is what it’s going to take to win last week and block people, it opens up so much stuff for the offense.”’

‘Dorian Williams is expected to start in place of Milano, while the Bills likely will continue to rotate multiple defensive tackles with Oliver out for a second straight game. Linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring/hand) is also questionable, but rookie safety/nickel cornerback Jordan Hancock is off the injury report after he missed Week 2 with a shoulder injury.’

‘The Dolphins are a fast football team. That’s one thing, among many, Bills coach Sean McDermott has reminded his team about, and players should remember that based off their past meetings. “Yeah, they’ve got a lot of speed on their team overall, in particular on their offense and their returners as well,” McDermott said Tuesday. “They do a lot of different things. I think coach (Mike) McDaniel is one of the better coaches in the league offensively in how he schemes things up. Hard to defend, explosive. So, it makes for a big challenge and especially on a short week.” Miami already has six plays of 20-plus yards this season. The Bills defense and special teams will want to keep up with the speedy Dolphins to minimize chunk plays.’

‘9: The Bills have defeated the Dolphins at Highmark Stadium in each of their nine meetings in Orchard Park, including a 34-31 victory in an AFC wild card game, since Sean McDermott became buffalo’s coach in 2017.

‘Aside from their pass rush, the Dolphins’ defense stinks. They haven’t been able to stop the run while allowing 66 points in two games. The secondary is thin because of injuries and departures. On offense, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown three interceptions and typically struggles against the Bills.’

‘As for Milano, his latest injury continues an unfortunate trend. While we don’t know the severity yet – coach Sean McDermott wasn’t exactly forthcoming with that information during the week – Milano has now dealt with some sort of injury in three straight seasons. At 31 years old and in the final year of his contract, it’s possible we’re seeing the last of Milano in a Bills jersey this season. He was ruled out of the game against Miami by McDermott on Wednesday.’

‘Tickets are expensive to see the Bills play in their final season at Highmark Stadium – averaging over $250 a seat per game on the secondary market.’

‘Allen’s efficiency may have been lower than average – he completed 14 of 25 attempts (56%) for 148 yards – but he didn’t make a game-changing mistake. He converted critical third-down situations just when the Bills’ offense needed it most. He was solid all around, getting the offense into the right plays, protecting the ball and finishing drives with just enough for the Bills to get points.’