The Buffalo Bills have largely dominated their meetings with the Miami Dolphins since Josh Allen took over as Buffalo’s full-time signal-caller in 2018.
The Bills have won nine of the teams’ 11 meetings in that span, with the two losses coming by a combined six points. Allen has come up big time and again in those games to consistently give Buffalo the upper hand against the division-rival Dolphins.
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Josh Allen’s Consistent Dominance of the Miami Dolphins
It’s no secret that Allen has had Miami’s number ever since he entered the league. The two-time Pro Bowler has completed 250 of 395 passes (63.3%) for 3,036 yards, 30 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in the teams’ 11 meetings since he entered the league in 2018.
That equates to an average of 276 yards, nearly three touchdowns, and less than one interception per game. Those are more than serviceable numbers, especially considering his team’s success in winning nine of those contests.
2018
Allen had a rough time in his first bout with the Dolphins, going 18 of 33 for 231 yards, two touchdowns, a pair of interceptions, and 135 rushing yards during a 21-17 loss.
He rebounded a few weeks later, though, leading Buffalo to a 42-17 win as he threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns while running for 95 yards and two more scores in the final game of his rookie year.
2019
In Year 2, Allen found another level in general and against Miami with a pair of strong performances.
He completed 16 of 26 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-21 win, then went 21 of 33 for 256 yards and three scores, along with 56 rushing yards for another score, to fuel a 37-20 victory and help lead the Bills to a playoff berth.
2020
Allen had his best year yet in 2020, on the way to second-team All-Pro honors, including two of his best Miami games ever. He went off in a 31-28 Week 2 victory, completing 24 of 35 passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns. Then, he went 18 for 25 with 224 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception across just 55% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps in a 56-26 Week 17 win to complete a second-place finish in the AFC.
2021
It was more of the same dominance for Allen and the Bills in 2021. He was fine at 17 of 33 for 179 yards, two scores, and one pick during a 35-0 triumph in Week 2, then went 29 of 42 for 249 yards and two touchdowns and added 55 rushing yards and one more score in Week 8 to fuel Buffalo’s 26-11 victory on the way to another AFC East title.
2022
The Dolphins finally ended a stretch of seven straight losses to Allen and the Bills with a 21-19 victory in Week 2 despite Allen going 42 of 63 for 400 yards and two scores.
Buffalo won another close one 32-29 in Week 15, however, when Allen was 25 of 40 for 304 yards and four touchdowns alongside 77 rushing yards on the way to a third straight division title.
A third meeting of the year came in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, where the Bills prevailed 34-31 as Allen went 23 of 39 for 352 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Can Miami Finally Figure Allen Out?
After all of those struggles with Buffalo since Allen entered the league, could 2023 be the year that Miami finally shores up those woes?
The Dolphins (3-0) had their struggles defensively in a narrow 36-34 win over the Los Angeles Chargers to start the season but have since taken a 24-17 victory over the New England Patriots and blown past the Broncos.
Buffalo (2-1) dropped its opener 22-16 to the New York Jets before rolling past the Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) and Washington Commanders (2-1).
Vic Fangio, who was hired as Miami’s defensive coordinator this offseason, has authored solid performances from his unit each of the last two weeks after being gashed for 233 rushing yards by the Chargers. His unit complements an offense that fired on all cylinders to score 70 points last week.
Allen has had his ups and downs early in the season, throwing three interceptions against the Jets before going 31 of 37 for 274 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.
He enters Sunday’s contest coming off a solid outing where he was 20 of 32 for 218 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. He also had 46 yards and one score on the ground.
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Another stout performance from Fangio’s group could be just what Miami needs to limit Allen and take just its third win over the Allen-led Bills in its 12th try.
Time will tell whether the Dolphins are up to the task or if Allen will dominate once again.