If the Dolphins' quarterback can stay on his feet this week, the Dolphins may have a shot.
A game that is about renewed respect for an opponent comes up in week two of the NFL season, when the Miami Dolphin Match up with the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo at 1p.m., EST on Sunday, September 14th. The game can be watched online via live stream below (free with subscription), or on the CBS Television network.
Each team will be out to try and get an early head start on an AFC East competitor that is looking more serious than before the season began in most eyes.
The Bills home opener brings a new "Circle the Wagons" Mentality for Buffalo since a tentative sale has been approved that will keep the team in Buffalo for a while. Expect an exuberant atmosphere for the game,
Buffalo (1-0) pounded out a 23-20 overtime victory at Chicago on Sunday, and Miami (1-0) posted a 23-0 second-half scoring upswing to win 33-20 at home over New England, so there is some real excitement going into week 2 for both upwardly mobile clubs.
The Dolphins, like the Bills, also established an impressive ground game with Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller. Moreno debuted for the Dolphins with 134 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while Miller added 58 yards on 11 rushes with a receiving score. No doubt, the Dolphins for two see their backs run all over Buffalo, too.
The Dolphins' revamped offensive line certainly had something to do with the teams' success, so a key matchup for the Dolphins will be how will that big O-line handle Buffalo's defense.
The Dolphins strong O-line play last week allowed just one sack of Ryan Tannehill, who had been sacked a league-high 93 times in his first two seasons.
Tannehill wasn't mistake free though, going 18 of 32 for 178 yards, two TDs and an interception. He fumbled once, too, but the Dolphins got it back. He helped the Dolphins muster 23 first downs, though.
Mike Wallace was one of his best targets, as he caught seven passes for 81 yards and a TD.
Spiller wants to keep the Buffalo running attack going.
The Bills didn't require much from second-year quarterback EJ Manuel, who went 16 of 22 for 173 yards. They kept the run first trend alive that got them places last year, and they leaned on their defense to get the job done.
Buffalo racked up 193 yards in the match-up with Chicago. Things could be different against Miami though. The Dolphins limited New England to 89 rushing yards. Defensive End Cameron Wake had two sacks, both of which resulted in forced fumbles, and was named AFC defensive player of the week.
Buffalo won both meetings with Miami last season, including a 19-0 home victory Dec. 22 in which it sacked Tannehill seven times and limited the Dolphins to 103 yards of offense, the third-lowest total in team history. If the Dolphins O line can pass the test on Sunday, things could go differently this year, that is for sure.
To catch the game online, you can check out NFL Sunday Ticket. If you want to listen on the radio, the Dolphins' broadcast on WINZ 940 AM and the Bills broadcast on WGR 550 AM The game will be on the CBS Television Network with a 1 pm EST kickoff.
