Setting the Stage for the Week 2 Dolphins-Bills Matchup

Breaking down all the details for the Miami-Buffalo Bills game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gets stopped on fourth down by the Miami Dolphins defense during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in the 2023 regular season finale. / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins will look to start 2-0 for a third consecutive season, but more importantly, they will try to score a big AFC East win when they face the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night.

Here's all the pertinent info for this Week 2 Dolphins-Bills matchup.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) vs. BUFFALO BILLS (1-0)

• Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024

• Time: 8:15 PM EDT

• Site: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami Gardens, Fla.

• Weather.com Forecast: The temperature around Hard Rock Stadium between 8:00 PM and midnight on Thursday is expected to be 82-83 degrees but with a "feel" of 90-92. The forecast calls for cloudy skies but no expected rain and winds of only 3-4 mph.

• TV: Amazon Prime Video | WFOR-TV CBS Miami | WKBW ABC Buffalo

• Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color analyst), Kaylee Hartung (sidelines)

• SI Sportsbook Betting Line: Dolphins by 2.5 (over/under 48.5)

FINAL INJURY REPORT

• Dolphins — RB Raheem Mostert (chest) and WR Malik Washington (quadriceps) are out; RB De'Von Achane (ankle) and DB Elijah Campbell (Achilles) are questionable.

• Bills — CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DE Dawuane Smoot (toe) are out; DE Javon Solomon (oblique) is questionable.

DOLPHINS-BILLS REGULAR SEASON HISTORY

• Regular season series history: Dolphins lead 61-54-1

• Last five meetings:

1. January 7, 2024 at Miami — Bills 21, Dolphins 14
2. October 1, 2023, at Buffalo — Bills 48, Dolphins 20
3. December 17, 2022, at Buffalo — Bills 32, Dolphins 29
4. September 25, 2022 at Miami — Dolphins 21, Bills 19
5. October 31, 2021, at Buffalo — Bills 26, Dolphins 11

• Dolphins' largest margin of victory: 38 (1970 at Miami; Dolphins 45, Bills 7)

• Dolphins' largest margin of defeat: 35 (2021 at Miami; Bills 35, Dolphins 0)

• Highest-scoring matchup: 82 points (1966 at Buffalo; Bills 58, Dolphins 24)

• Lowest-scoring matchup: 12 points (1983 at Buffalo; Dolphins 12, Bills 0)

• Former Bills players with the Dolphins: S Jordan Poyer (2017-23), CB Siran Neal (2018-23)

• Former Bills coaches with the Dolphins: Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was Bills DL coach in 2013; Dolphins special teams coordinator Danny Crossman filled the same capacity with the Bills from 2013-18; assistant head coach/RB coach Eric Studesville was Bills RB coach from 2004-07 and run game coordinator/RB coach from 2008-09

• Former Dolphins players with the Bills: WR Mack Hollins, QB Mike White (on the practice squad)

• Former Dolphins coaches with the Bills: Assistant DB coach Joe Danna

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BILLS SCOUTING REPORT

The Bills entered the season looking to win the AFC East title for a fifth consecutive season with few familiar faces, particularly on defense. Three-fourths of their longstanding secondary — cornerback Tre'Davious White, safety Micah Hyde, and new Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer — have moved on, along with edge defender Leonard Floyd. And the team will be playing most of the season without linebacker Matt Milano due to a training camp injury. The most significant change on offense was the trade of wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. But the Bills still have quarterback Josh Allen, who arguably is the best quarterback in the NFL, not named Patrick Mahomes. Buffalo also has solid pieces on defense, particularly up front, where former Jaelan Phillips University of Miami teammate Gregory Rousseau is coming off a three-sack performance that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

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THE BIGGEST REASON THE DOLPHINS WILL WIN

The Dolphins have lost 11 of the past 12 matchups in this series, and the one victory came in Miami in a September game two years ago. The Dolphins did have the lead heading into the fourth quarter of the game at Miami last season before losing, and that was an injury-depleted Miami team. This Dolphins team appears probably more talented than the one that took the field at Hard Rock Stadium last January. Tua Tagovailoa connected with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for big plays in the season opener, and there's no reason to think they can't do it again, mainly since Buffalo will be without probably its best defensive back, Taron Johnson. The Dolphins also have been able to force Allen into mistakes in recent matchups, including a couple of interceptions in January.

THE BIGGEST REASON THE DOLPHINS WILL LOSE

It always comes down to Josh Allen here, doesn't it? And that game in January was the perfect example of how Allen can keep an opponent in a game before defeating. Yes, he had two picks in that game and a lost fumble, but he also passed for 359 yards and rushed for 67 more. His success against the Dolphins is well documented, starting with 33 touchdown passes and against only seven interceptions in 11 regular season matchups. On the other side of the ball, the Bills can disrupt the Dolphins passing game because of their defensive line, which is among the best in the NFL.

FINAL DOLPHINS-BILLS PREDICTION

Is this the year? Is this the year the Dolphins finally overtake the Bills atop the AFC East? It's too early to make that call, but we know it isn't likely to happen if the Dolphins don't take care of business against Buffalo at home. Neither AFC East team was particularly overwhelming in its regular season opener, but each won. It's no secret that the Dolphins are very good at home, especially early in the season.

 The four former NFL players on the Amazon pregame and postgame shows were firm in their statements about the Dolphins needing this game if they want to take the next step in 2024, and the feeling here is they will get it done.

• Final Score: Dolphins 24, Bills 23