The Buffalo Bills have had the Miami Dolphins‘ number.
Even as the insurgent Dolphins, built around a track team of speed at the skill positions around emerging quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked primed to finally break through and win the AFC East last season, Miami’s bid for a home playoff game was dashed by the Bills in Miami Gardens in Week 18. In blowout fashion.
Dolphins legendary former offensive tackle, and four-time All-Pro, Richmond Webb says something has to give if Miami is going to finally slay the beasts of the AFC East.
“I think [the Dolphins] know who they are,” Webb said, during an appearance on The Between The Hashmarks Podcast. “It’s no secret we’ve played them enough, but now we have to make a decision to say ‘whatever it takes, we have to get over the hump,’ and beat these guys.”
It’s been a minute since the Dolphins beat the Bills.
Miami has lost four straight to the division rivals, dating back to a 21-19 win in 2022, but have fallen in 11 of the past 12 meetings.
Josh Allen being at the helm of a prolific Bills offense has played a significant role in Buffalo’s reign of terror both in the division and over the Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins Topping Buffalo Bills Starts with Stopping Josh Allen
Beating the Bills starts with slowing Allen.
In the two games against the Dolphins last season, Allen passed for a combined 679 yards with six touchdowns to two interceptions, but he’s equally dangerous on the run and extending plays as he is with the deep ball.
“The one thing is, you’ve got to know your opponent,” Webb said. “I think the thing is Josh Allen is such, he’s a playmaker, if you watch him when the game is on the line, he delivers.
“You’ve got to be able to contain a guy like that, because not only does he have a rocket for an arm, but he can hurt you with his legs and his running ability.”
Allen’s clutch ability has been on display for the better part of the past decade, but, this year’s Bills offense is going to look a lot different with wide receiver Stefon Diggs in Houston and Gabe Davis catching passes from Trevor Lawrence with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Still, though, Webb believes that Allen can’t be counted out, and containing him is the biggest key for the Dolphins getting past the Bills.
“He’s a true dual-threat quarterback,” Webb points out. “And he does it from time to time; he’ll recognize if you’re in man coverage, he’ll act like he’s about to pass and then take off and run 25 yards down the field and that’s typically on a third down when a defense is looking for him to get off the football field and he extends the drive. That takes a lot out of a defense.”
If this season is going to end any differently for the Dolphins, Miami’s defense is going to need to find a way to get off the field and keep Allen from extending plays in the game’s biggest moments.
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