Josh Allen on Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins Rivalry: 'An Emotional Game!'
The rivalry between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins is quickly becoming one of the best in football.
With both teams getting off to a hot start to begin this season, the budding rivalry will have a chance to elevate to another level on Sunday when Buffalo hosts Miami at Highmark Stadium. For Bills quarterback Josh Allen, rivalries like the one the Bills have with the Dolphins are why he plays the game.
"When you're playing against guys that you can go out there and chirp with, then show respect after the game, I think that's what football is all about," Allen said. "Those types of rivalries, they get the emotions going, but we play an emotional game. At the end of the day, that's why we play this game and it's a big part of the reason why I play this game. It makes me feel certain things, and to go against in-division rivals and have that type of vibe with some of the guys, it makes you want to get out of your seat."
Among the players Allen has gotten into it with is Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The Bills quarterback and Wilkins traded words and had to be separated on multiple occasions.
Referees work to separate Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.
© Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY
Despite the chippiness, both players have noted their respect for each other.
"I do love going against him," Allen said. " ... I do respect his game. I thought they were going to pay him this offseason. He deserved to be paid because he brings a lot of juice to that offense and defense. Whenever their offense scores, he's always the first guy out there celebrating. He's got a lot of juice. He's a big driving factor on that team for the success that they've had."
The rivalry has gone to another level last season. The teams squared off three times, including a matchup in the AFC Wild Card Round. Miami won the first meeting 21-19 on Sept. 25 as the Bills and Allen ran out of time on a potential game-winning drive at Hard Rock Stadium. Buffalo returned the favor on its home field, winning 32-29 on a game-winning 25-yard field goal in the snow from Tyler Bass on Dec. 17.
In their playoff matchup at Highmark Stadium, the Bills came back in the second half and hung on late to win 34-31.
Three games into this season, the Bills and Dolphins have proven to be among the best in football. Buffalo has bounced back from a Week 1 loss to the New York Jets in overtime to outscore the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders by a combined score of 75-13. Miami has had the best offense in football through three games, averaging 43.33 points per game and is coming off a 70-20 win against the Denver Broncos.
With both teams playing at their best and this being their first meeting since Buffalo eliminated Miami from the playoffs last season, Allen knows what his team can expect on Sunday.
"We understand this is a team that's playing well," Allen said. "They're coming into our house, the implications of what happened last year in the playoffs, so they want to right their wrong too. We've got to be prepared for their best punch."
The Bills host the Dolphins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
