Entering a key AFC East showdown against the explosive Dolphins offense, the Bills shut the door with a thud en route to a blowout win. The 31-10 victory put the Bills atop both the division and the conference with a 2-0 record.
But what stood out on the coaches’ film as to why the Bills could do what they did to the Dolphins? And is that translatable to future opponents?
After studying the All-22, here is a full analysis of the Bills’ game plan, individual performances and what comes next.
How did the banged-up Bills defense limit the Dolphins to just 10 points?
Most of the questions surrounding the Bills heading into the matchup were rooted in how they would defend all of the speed on the Dolphins roster. Between running back and moonlighting pass catcher De’Von Achane and their wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Bills had a lot to account for all game. And just as a quick, yet relevant reminder, the Bills were without two of their defensive stars — linebacker Matt Milano and nickel corner Taron Johnson.The Bills replaced them in the lineup with limited-experience players Dorian Williams and Cam Lewis. They had two massive questions at safety in Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp, who both struggled in Week 1. And just to add another level of difficulty, starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard left the game with an injury in the first quarter, replaced by yet another limited experience option in Baylon Spector. With that much working against them, the million-dollar question is — how did they do it?
Some of it certainly had to do with scheme and coaching. The defensive splits were stark until Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game with a concussion. For the most part, the Bills kept defenders perched up high with the idea of keeping everything in front of them to help bail out individual backups from needing to make a heroic play. Hamlin and Rapp were literal definitions of their positional identity — safety valves for the entire defense.
But the defense’s commitment to their game plan allowed them to stay up top for the most part. Remarkably, when Tagovailoa was in the game during the first three quarters, the Bills ran a total of zero blitzes against the Dolphins. It’s a rare game plan, as only three teams have done so since the 2017 season, according to TruMedia. The 2022 Texans did so in a 13-6 win over the Jaguars in Week 5, as did the Saints in Week 1 that season when they beat the Falcons 27-26. The only other team to do it is the Bills, and it’s a tab they’ve pulled in three other games since 2017 — in 2020 against the Chiefs, in 2021 versus the Chiefs again, in 2022 against the defending Super Bowl champion Rams. Considering the offensive prowess of the four games the Bills have used that ideology, they usually reserve it for an explosive team that the Bills have a deep respect for.
But what enabled them to carry out that specific yet rare game plan was relatively simple. Their defensive effectiveness was dictated by the defensive line wholly owning the matchup more often than not, which led to key turnover opportunities that enabled the Bills to zoom forward on the scoreboard. It wasn’t even by being dominant on third downs, either. When Tagovailoa was in the game, the Dolphins converted on 6 of their 11 third-down opportunities with an average distance of 4.5 yards to gain. But two of the longest third downs the Dolphins faced, thereby forcing them into a passing situation, signaled to the Bills to rear back on their pass rush, and they delivered.
On the first interception, defensive tackle Ed Oliver barreled in against the right guard and forced the quarterback to get the ball out quickly and slightly off target.
On the interception returned for a touchdown, defensive ends Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa worked in unison against three blockers, with Rousseau taking up their attention and Epenesa wriggling free. At the same time, Oliver blew past the right tackle after Von Miller looped in front on a stunt. With Epenesa and Oliver nearing Tagovailoa, he made the inadvisable decision to throw it to the opposite sideline, effectively cinching the game at a 31-10 lead. But the defensive line performance was better than just those two plays.
Oliver and his defensive tackle partner DaQuan Jones were dominant against a Dolphins interior offensive line that has been a trouble spot for them all summer. Jones was the best player on the field in the first quarter, and then after a slow start, Oliver took that torch and ran with it the rest of the game. Oliver’s big moments, both against the run and as a pass rusher, created multiple huge game-changing moments for the Bills. Oliver played a key role in two of the interceptions, and of course, the stop on fourth down in the first half. In addition to Oliver and Jones, Rousseau, Epenesa, Miller and even Casey Toohill all had well-above average performances in different ways. Rousseau stood out as an all-around defender, Epenesa and Miller as a pass rusher later in the game, and then Toohill in run support.
That’s not to say the Bills weren’t without their struggles, and it was this perfect showing that they completely stifled the opponent. The Dolphins managed to pick on all those defensive players we had wondered about (more on that in the bottom 3 section). Before Tagovailoa left the game, the Dolphins had 13 plays where they gained ten yards or more, which usually flies against only allowing 10 points. Hill and Waddle were, for the most part, held in check, combining for just seven receptions and 65 yards. Achane was the Bills’ biggest problem of the evening, totaling 29 touches for 165 yards and a touchdown. But through both keeping everything in front of them with scheme and with how rapidly the defensive line was getting into the backfield in key moments, that’s how the Bills did it.
However, this type of game plan may not be sustainable. There’s a reason they’ve reserved it for only a handful of opponents during Sean McDermott’s time in Buffalo. Perhaps a warning sign, when the Dolphins committed to running inside and got their blockers to the second level, they had some success against the linebackers and safeties. That will likely be what the Bills’ defense needs to answer next, as they’ll be going up against interior offensive lines that are much better than what the Dolphins bring to the table. The five-man group in the middle of Baylon Spector, Dorian Williams, Cam Lewis, Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp will surely be tested, and likely soon.
2024 Bills All-22 grades vs. Dolphins (Week 2)
| Rank | Player | Position | Grade | Snaps | Snap % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Christian Benford | CB | A | 76 | 100.00% |
| 2 |  Ed Oliver | DT | A- | 46 | 60.53% |
| 3 |  DaQuan Jones | DT | A- | 35 | 46.05% |
| 4 |  James Cook | RB | A- | 21 | 46.67% |
| 5 |  Josh Allen | QB | B+ | 41 | 91.11% |
| 6 |  Dion Dawkins | LT | B+ | 41 | 91.11% |
| 7 |  Greg Rousseau | DE | B+ | 52 | 68.42% |
| 8 |  Spencer Brown | RT | B+ | 45 | 100.00% |
| 9 |  Khalil Shakir | WR | B+ | 31 | 68.89% |
| 10 |  Dalton Kincaid | TE | B+ | 19 | 42.22% |
| 11 |  Casey Toohill | DE | B+ | 23 | 30.26% |
| 12 |  A.J. Epenesa | DE | B+ | 50 | 65.79% |
| 13 |  O’Cyrus Torrence | RG | B+ | 41 | 91.11% |
| 14 |  Von Miller | DE | B+ | 29 | 38.16% |
| 15 |  Ja’Marcus Ingram | CB | B+ | 23 | 30.26% |
| 16 |  Mack Hollins | WR | B+ | 32 | 71.11% |
| 17 |  Connor McGovern | C | B | 41 | 91.11% |
| 18 |  David Edwards | LG | B | 45 | 100.00% |
| 19 |  Rasul Douglas | CB | B | 70 | 92.11% |
| 20 |  Dawson Knox | TE | B | 24 | 53.33% |
| 21 |  Austin Johnson | DT | B- | 37 | 48.68% |
| 22 |  DeWayne Carter | DT | B- | 25 | 32.89% |
| 23 |  Dorian Williams | LB | C+ | 53 | 69.74% |
| 24 |  Keon Coleman | WR | C+ | 41 | 91.11% |
| 25 |  Damar Hamlin | FS | C | 70 | 92.11% |
| 26 |  Taylor Rapp | SS | C | 70 | 92.11% |
| 27 |  Cam Lewis | NCB | C | 70 | 92.11% |
| 28 |  Baylon Spector | LB | C- | 62 | 81.58% |
Quick thoughts on the Top 3
CB Christian Benford (A) — Perhaps most indicative of his performance, Benford’s interception was the least impressive thing he did all game — which says something. Benford locked down his side as a run defender and in coverage. He reacted quickly to the route combinations in front of him, turned and ran with some speedy receivers and knew when to leave his zone to help make a play. Benford’s start to the 2024 season should have the Bills feeling very good about his potential in the defense.DT Ed Oliver (A-minus) — After a quiet Week 1 and even a silent first quarter, Oliver woke up quickly. Aside from Benford, Oliver was the best defender on the field.
DT DaQuan Jones (A-minus) — Jones’ early dominance against the Dolphins helped set the stage for the defensive line to be the key reason the Bills held the Dolphins in check.
Underrated standouts
WR Mack Hollins (B-plus) — How did Hollins garner a B-plus despite not even catching one pass? He was an outstanding blocker, that’s how. He helped spring a handful of bigger rushing gains throughout his 32 snaps. Hollins can also more than hold his own when the Bills run a receiver screen. His length goes a long way in canceling out a defensive back.DE Casey Toohill (B-plus) — Everyone, meet the new Shaq Lawson. While every defensive game plan might not be his strong suit, when the Bills need someone to set and contain the edge against a horizontal-based rushing attack, Toohill is their guy. When they ran at his side, Toohill was excellent in keeping the blocker off his pads, getting wide and forcing the ball carrier back inside.
Quick thoughts on the Bottom 3
S Taylor Rapp (C) — Rapp was better in the second half with a big lead when they let him move around a bit more, especially with a nice read in the run game. But his most significant issue was finishing a play by wrapping up the tackle. He already has a few whiffs on film through two weeks.NCB Cam Lewis (C) — There is no debate about Lewis’ competitive level — he is all over the field. But there were a handful of times where his size worked against him, and he got washed out of the play in tackling support, which could be an issue moving forward for as long as Taron Johnson is out.
LB Baylon Spector (C-minus) — It was a tough spot for Spector to come in cold for Bernard, and he got better as the game went on. But the Dolphins succeeded in getting a blocker into the second level to take Spector out of the play, and a big gain followed. He’ll need to clean that up, or else it could be a focal point of a future opponent.
Players with fewer than 15 snaps
RB Ray Davis (14), LB Terrel Bernard (14), IOL Alec Anderson (13), WR Curtis Samuel (12), RB Ty Johnson (7), DE Kingsley Jonathan (7), TE Quintin Morris (6), LB Nicholas Morrow (6), CB Kaiir Elam (6), S Mike Edwards (6), S Cole Bishop (6), FB Reggie Gilliam (5) QB Mitchell Trubisky (4), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (4), OT Tylan Grable (4), C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (4), DB Brandon Codrington (0)**Season Grades will be available following Week 3
