MIAMI GARDENS — Who saw that one coming?
The Miami Dolphins operated with the delusion, as outside linebacker Bradley Chubb called it, that they could take down the Buffalo Bills and spark a run.
The delusion proved accurate with a convincing win in which the defense held down quarterback Josh Allen’s high-powered Bills offense, and playmakers De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle proved why the Dolphins coveted them so highly at the trade deadline.
As the Dolphins (3-7) travel to Madrid to face a Jayden Daniels-less Washington Commanders (3-7) team and then get the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets on the other side of the bye, a run to sneak back into the “In the Hunt” graphics of the playoff picture is plausible.
Here’s the Sun Sentinel’s report card on Miami’s stunning 30-13 win over the Bills.
Run game: A+
Without looking at the score, seeing the Dolphins ran the ball 32 times and threw 21 passes is probably an indicator they won the game. And what a monster game it was from Achane with 225 total yards from scrimmage (174 rushing). He sealed it with the two late long touchdowns. It’s got to be tough for a team from the north to get fatigued in the South Florida humidity for three-plus quarters and then have to go catch the speedy Achane. Jaylen Wright also got into the mix early with Ollie Gordon playing on a bum ankle.
Pass game: B
There were a few incredible tight-window throws from Tua Tagovailoa, most notably the first touchdown to Malik Washington in the soft spot of a zone coverage. Then, the deep pass on target to Waddle was money. It was an efficient 15-of-21 performance for Tagovailoa. Two of his incompletions were interceptions, but they weren’t costly as they came on third-and-longs where it’s okay to take chances on long balls that merely function as a fast-forward to punt on the following snap if picked off.
Run defense: A
That’s twice in three games that the Dolphins have had a massive challenge in front of them against an elite opposing run game, and they locked it down. First, it was the Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson on Oct. 26; on Sunday, James Cook of the Bills was held to 53 yards and Allen was kept in check on the scramble. On top of that, Miami forced fumbles for turnovers on each. Jack Jones punched one out on Cook that was recovered by fellow cornerback JuJu Brents, and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who led the team with 12 tackles, ripped the ball from Allen, for Minkah Fitzpatrick to pick up the loose ball.
Pass defense: A-
The 306 passing yards for Allen contained a lot of empty calories, with Buffalo playing from behind and throwing 40 times. Brents was excellent playing for the injured Rasul Douglas. The pass rush made Allen feel them. Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb and Willie Gay Jr. all had sacks. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, in on nickel packages, had the clutch interception in the end zone when the Dolphins were still preserving their shutout. Fitzpatrick, beyond the fumble recovery, made a number of plays, including a fourth-down pass breakup and a stop on Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir on a 2-point conversion.
Special teams: C
Kicker Riley Patterson missed an extra point badly. Punter Jake Bailey, who entered No. 2 in the NFL in net punting average, had a phenomenal one he downed at the 2-yard line. He also had another one he booted 61 yards, with good coverage inside the 20-yard line from gunner Elijah Campbell. Malik Washington made a mistake fair-catching a long line-drive Bills punt at his own 8-yard line.
Coaching: A
Give coach Mike McDaniel credit for keeping the guys invested through turbulent times. The last two wins for his team have been complete performances (against Atlanta and Buffalo) that followed devastating losses to Cleveland and Baltimore. Great game plan on both sides of the ball, especially sticking with the run on offense, which is always easier when playing with a lead. Who cares that McDaniel burned a timeout before the first play from scrimmage when he ends up winning by 17? Now, just find some consistency in the coming games.
Stock up: JuJu Brents
Brents had only played nine defensive snaps entering Sunday, and he was called upon to start on the boundary opposite Jones with Douglas hurt. He stepped up in a major way. After seeing him lock down his side, he will be in the conversation for more playing time, although Douglas was already playing so well. This was the vision Miami had in Brents when he was claimed off waivers from the Colts after roster cuts before the season.
Stock down: Ethan Bonner
He’s a valued special teamer, but defensively, Bonner keeps having others leapfrog him on the depth chart. Every time a cornerback goes down for the Dolphins — and there have been plenty of injuries at the position — you think it might be Bonner’s chance to step up. He even had been in a rotation in the past month with Jones on his side. But with Douglas down, Brents got the start over him. As soon as Brents had to go out and Bonner entered for him, Allen immediately targeted him and threw the deep touchdown to Keon Coleman. Bonner was then replaced by Jason Marshall on the outside.