No need to update the family tree: The Miami Dolphins are still the Buffalo Bills’ younger sibling. And the gap may have grown. After playing the Bills (3-1) close in three games last year, the Dolphins (3-1) were completely outclassed Sunday.
Here’s how.
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Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills Instant Observations
Vic Fangio’s Honeymoon Is Over
It was not supposed to be this way. Not after the Dolphins fired Josh Boyer and broke the bank to hire Vic Fangio to replace him.
But the Dolphins’ defense has actually been worse this year than last — which is hard to fathom.
At least Boyer kept things relatively close in the playoff game last year. The Dolphins were playing catchup for the entire second half.
Josh Allen completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns in performance that should jumpstart his MVP campaign.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, through four games have allowed (119) points and have forced just five turnovers.
With the Giants and Panthers up next, the Dolphins have two opportunities to figure things out against flawed offenses. If they don’t, it might not get fixed all year.
5-TD game for Josh Allen… the #Bills have almost 50 points on the #Dolphins defense.pic.twitter.com/yfTpbbbhXahttps://t.co/aoMvB06zS4
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 1, 2023
Dolphins Offense Held in Check
The Bills didn’t stop the Dolphins offense. That’s impossible. But it certainly slowed down a unit that looked little like the group that dropped 70 the week before.
With injuries on the offensive line (more on that in a bit), Tua Tagovailoa got roughed up, taking four sacks — including two on fourth downs.
Tagovailoa — who completed 25 of 35 attempts for 282 yards and one touchdown — also threw a pick and Raheem Mostert lost a fumble. That formula would result in a loss against bad teams. It gave the Dolphins no chance against an elite one.
Injuries Piling Up on Offensive Line
The Bills added injury to insult for the Dolphins when they inadvertently rolled up the back of Terron Armstead’s legs late in the second quarter, causing a knee injury that knocked Armstead from the game.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
Armstead knew immediately it wasn’t a minor bump or bruise, as he walked very slowly to the locker room under the observation of Dolphins medical personnel.
Armstead was already dealing with knee, ankle, and back injuries, and he was questionable to even play Sunday.
His latest injury left the Dolphins without two starting offensive linemen. Connor Williams was inactive due to a groin injury. As a result, the Dolphins were forced to go with Kendall Lamm at left tackle and Liam Eichenberg at center.
Bills Expose Kohou
The Miami Dolphins’ injuries at cornerback finally caught up with them. With Jalen Ramsey and Nik Needham on the injured list and Eli Apple benched due to ineffectiveness, there was no hiding Kader Kohou Sunday.
Josh Allen targeted Kohou repeatedly. and he couldn’t hang. In the first half alone, he gave up 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns in just 17 coverage snaps.
Kohou also committed three penalties (two of which were accepted) for 58 yards.
One play in particular was a snapshot of Kohou’s day:
He committed illegal contact but still allowed Stefon Diggs to get open for a catch, then made matters worse by missing a relatively easy tackle, allowing Diggs to go for a 55-yard touchdown.
Kader Kohou is gonna have nightmares about Stefon Diggs for weeks. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/u2rjvWCqko
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) October 1, 2023
Diggs went for the hat trick late in the third quarter, roasting Kohou on a double move for a 13-yard touchdown reception.