3 questions for the Buffalo Bills after they hold off the Miami Dolphins

3 questions for the Buffalo Bills after they hold off the Miami Dolphins

The Bills have won the turnover battle in every game this season, and look at the results. They’re 3-0. A look at what we learned, what's trending and what's next.

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1. What did we learn?​

The Bills can’t overlook anyone. Most of us predicted a blowout win over the Dolphins on Thursday, but it was a tied game midway through the fourth quarter. Linebacker Terrel Bernard’s interception and 23-yard return were pivotal. The Bills have won the turnover battle in every game this season, and look at the results. They’re 3-0. But before that break, it was a much closer contest than Buffalo would have liked. The Dolphins came into the game desperate, and the Bills struggled on defense and were uninspired on offense during the middle of the game. That’s not a combination they can have against more disciplined opponents.


Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir makes a catch against Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. in the second quarter Thursday at Highmark Stadium.
Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News

2. What's trending now?​

Third-down defense is trending, and not for good reasons. Just four days ago, the Bills held the New York Jets to 0 of 11 on third downs. That was not the case Thursday. The Bills let the Dolphins convert eight of their first 10 third-down attempts before stopping the next three. But then the Dolphins converted a fourth down anyway. The Bills throughout the game got Miami in third-and-long, and Buffalo was still unable to get off the field. On their first touchdown drive, the Dolphins had five third-down conversions for the first time since the 2012 season, per TruMedia. Miami finished 10 of 15 on third down.

3. What happens next?​

There’s plenty of time to go over the film before the Bills host the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. There’s also a few extra days to see how defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano are doing. The Bills clearly missed them both this game. The Bills will also try to figure out how they can sustain their early-game success on offense. Quarterback Josh Allen seemed on his way to another ridiculous game with his flipped-ball touchdown to rookie tight end Jackson Hawes, but the offense hit a dry spell. The Bills need to crush their opponents after a drive like that instead of letting them hang around.