2024 NFL season, Week 2: What We Learned from Bills' win over Dolphins on Thursday night

 

1. 
   
   Shorthanded Bills defense turns in a gutsy effort. With cornerback Taron Johnson out, linebacker Matt Milano still missing and Terrel Bernard (pectoral) knocked out after the second series, it looked dicey for the Bills handling a dangerous Miami offense, not to mention it being a hot, steamy night – a supposed edge for the home team. But the Bills turned in a tremendous effort, intercepting Tua Tagovailoa three times and stopping them thrice more on fourth downs. It was a group effort, too. Cam Lewis, Johnson’s replacement, was picked on twice early but rallied to have a strong game. Ja'Marcus Ingram had his biggest NFL game, with his first two career picks, including a pick-six. Dorian Williams had a third-down stuff, followed by an Ed Oliver sack on fourth down to snuff out another Dolphins drive. But the brilliance of Buffalo’s execution was in forcing the ball away from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle; all three of Tagovailoa’s picks came targeting other receivers. When Tagovailoa left the game with a concussion, Hill and Waddle had combined for seven catches for 65 yards. After a bit of a slow start last week, Sean McDermott’s and Bobby Babich’s shorthanded-but-gutsy defense has cleaned things up quite nicely.
2. Dolphins’ offense struggles before Tua Tagovailoa leaves with concussion. Tua Tagovailoa left the game late in the third quarter with a concussion, suffering through a rough game prior to that. It was the third three-INT game of Tagovailoa’s career, with the final pick run back 31 yards for a touchdown and a 31-10 Buffalo lead. His wide receivers (Grant DuBose and Robbie Chosen) arguably were at least partially to blame on the first two picks, but Tua’s pick-six was a poor throw against heavy pressure. The Dolphins lost offensive tackle Terron Armstead and left guard Robert Jonesmid-game, but the Dolphins offense was too up and down prior to them leaving. Penalties and a fourth-down stop killed momentum multiple times. Even Mike McDaniel’s play-calling seemed strangely off at times. Running back De'Von Achane (ankle) was a game-time decision, but he ended up with a career-high 29 touches (his previous high was 22). Achane was terrific -- really the only player on offense who stood out. But why was he out there, well into the fourth quarter, with most other starters out of the game? There was a fair amount of pressure on Tagovailoa entering the game, and it was yet another disappointing result for him and the Dolphins against the Bills, but the big question now is with Tua’s health given his concussion history.  

Around the NFL will have more from Eric Edholm shortly.