Instant analysis: Fast starts, defense lead Bills in blowout win over Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills relied on their defense and fast starts on offense during each half to take the 35-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.

The first half started fast, reminiscent of last year’s final week 56-26 drubbing of the Dolphins, by scoring easily on their first two drives. It took 12 seconds of Bills offensive play to open the scoring for the game. Bills running back Devin Singletary burst through the Miami defense on a 46-yard rush:

On the Bills’ second drive, they moved down the field with little resistance once again, culminating with a Stefan Diggs touchdown reception. Buffalo grabbed a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter. It looked like a route, but the Bills’ offense went idle for the remainder of the half.

Fortunately for the Bills, their defense was dominant when Buffalo’s offense was forced to punt. The Bills recorded four sacks in the first half, including on two of the first three defensive snaps in the game. Gregory Rousseau, Matt Milano, Micah Hyde, and Taron Johnson all recorded sacks in the first half. Meanwhile, the Bills forced three turnovers, including a Levi Wallace interception, and a Taron Johnson forced a fumble that Matt Milano recovered. To conclude the first half, Taiwan Jones recovered a Jaylen Waddle muffed fumble attempt.

The Bills left little in doubt during the initial drive of the second half. Buffalo’s offense moved the ball 75 yards in eight plays, finishing with an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox.

With a 21-0 lead, the Bills defense continued to limit any sort of progress by the Miami offense. Buffalo allowed only 216 total yards on the game. Miami made 13 first downs on the game and only two first downs on the ground.

Buffalo’s defensive game plan was perfect, as they unleashed several players getting free hits on the Miami quarterbacks throughout the game. It was a creative attack, as the defense used multiple blitz packages to attack Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett.

The Bills ended the game with six sacks and 11 quarterback hits. Buffalo denied Miami on all four of their fourth down attempts.

To add salt to the wounds, Buffalo’s offense popped in two more touchdowns. Zack Moss found the end zone on two touch runs, atoning from an early fumble in the game.

It was all good for Buffalo this afternoon in South Beach. Buffalo’s offense struggled through a few moments in the game but still won the game by 35 points. That’s something for the Bills, as it leaves a positive image of what this version of the offense could be moving forward.

Quarterback Josh Allen went 17-of-33 for 179 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Devin Singletary added 82 yards on 13 carries, while Moss ran for 26 yards on eight carries. They combined for three rushing touchdowns.

Stefan Diggs led the way in the receiving game for Buffalo, reeling in four passes for 60 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.

More impressively, Buffalo’s defense completely shut down any progress of the Dolphins offense.

Coming into this week, there were worries about the Bills offensive line and their ability to dominate a game defensively. Both boxes were checked. It’s exciting to see what Buffalo will look like when the entire team puts it together. Dare we say, it’s going to make quite the challenge for Kansas City.

Next week, the Bills will square off against the Washington Football Team and Highmark Stadium. Washington is currently 1-1 after defeating the New York Giants 30-29 Thursday night.

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