Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel Not Pulling Punches vs. Buffalo Bills: 'Never!'

The Buffalo Bills will host the Miami Dolphins and offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel in Week 4. How many new looks will Buffalo have to face?

There’s little question about it: when the Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the eyes of the football world will descend upon Western New York. 

The Dolphins are scoring at a historic rate, emboldened by a 70-point Week 3 performance and the fastest skill positions in football. They are throwing farther than your favorite team, faster than your favorite team—and through September no one has been able to stop it.

Yet, they travel to Buffalo as underdogs. The Bills are on a two-game win streak after a disappointing Week 1 loss to the New York Jets. Since scoring 13 in that game, they’ve combined to outscore the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders 75-13.

It’s a shame this clash of Super Bowl contenders won’t be Sunday’s nightcap.

Further, the hype around the Dolphins offense—and its architect, head coach Mike McDaniel—has led some to speculation about the Week 4 contest. More specifically, McDaniel was asked if he was holding anything back against the weaker competition from the past two weeks, in preparation for a date with the Bills.

McDaniel during a regular season loss in Buffalo lost season / © Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

“I’ve never held anything back,” McDaniel said. “It’s so hard to win a game … The Buffalo Bills are one of the best teams in football.”

There’s some truth to his statement. Looking too far down the road is a really good way to trip over your own feet. Not bringing Miami’s best against any of their early-season opponents can get things out of hand quickly. Nobody likes playing catchup in the NFL. He acknowledged the temptation, given how big Sunday’s game will be, but quickly shut down the accusation.

However, it’s a near certainty that Buffalo is going to see some things they haven’t before. That doesn’t mean those plays were intentionally withheld from prior opponents, but “unscouted” looks are important when game planning, especially against a frequent foe.

With perhaps the league’s most innovative coach, it’s possible those plays haven’t found the way into the playsheet yet.

“Instead of having an idea you put in your back pocket,” McDaniel said. “Why not just come up with a new idea.”

Whether it be short-field motions or creative ways to wear out defensive linemen, McDaniel is no stranger to breaking traditional rules in an effort to put up points. Against a fundamentally sound and well-coached Bills defense, he’ll be put to the test.