Report card: Bills top Dolphins, 48-20
Check out Bills Wire’s Week 4 report card for the Buffalo Bills (3-1) following the team’s 48-20 win against the Miami Dolphins (3-1):
Quarterbacks: A
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was nearly perfect in terms of completion percent (21-for-25), surpassed 300 yards (320) and had five total touchdowns (4 passing).
We don’t really need to further explain that grade, do we?
Running backs: B-
Aside from Latavius Murray ripping off a 29-yard run early in the contest, the running game was quiet. James Cook converting a short-yardage touchdown opportunity was a welcomed surprise. However, Cook only averaged 2.4 yards per carry, his lowest of the season.
Tight ends: C+
Not much action from the Bills’ tight end duo of Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. The vet had one catch and the rookie had four but he still isn’t mustering up much in terms of yards after the catch. Pro Football Focus graded both out as average blockers, at least.
Wide receiver: A+
Stefon Diggs was a stud and should soon be named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week. He had three total touchdowns in a hell of a day for him. His best was when he went 50 yards down the field after breaking away from two defenders.
Across from Diggs, Gabe Davis contributed nicely. He was right behind Diggs (120 yards) with 61. Davis had a touchdown, too.
Offensive line: B
The holes quickly evaporated for the Bills running backs on the ground. That was fine since the pass blocking fared well. It felt like the first time Miami’s Christian Wilkins wasn’t a factor against Buffalo as well.
Allen was sacked twice, but he only was hit three total times. For his standards, that’s a pretty low total. The Bills’ top graded offensive linemen from PFF was a bit of a surprise: It was Spencer Brown at 68.5. Hopefully he’s building momentum.
Defensive line: A
It’s impressive how well the Bills’ defensive front has looked in four games without Von Miller (who should return soon). Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was unable to get the ball out as quick as he wanted and he paid for that by being sacked four times. He had only been taken down once prior to facing Buffalo. Greg Rousseau led the line with two sacks.
Up big late, the Bills did allow a 55-yard run by Dolphins rookie De’Von Achane early in the fourth quarter to make the numbers look a bit worse than they were. Starter Raheem Mostert only had nine yards on seven carries.
Linebackers: B
For their standards based on recent weeks, a quiet day for the Bills linebackers. Mostly kidding… Matt Milano led the Bills with 10 tackles and had a forced fumble. Terrel Bernard recovered it. Good linebacker teamwork there.
Secondary: B+
Relying heavily on their safeties hanging deep to keep the speed of the Dolphins’ duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at bay, the plan went well. Hill only had 58 receiving yards to lead Miami–He’s used to a lot more than that.
Taylor Rapp deserves kudos. He was starting next to Micah Hyde thanks to Jordan Poyer’s knee injury.
Unfortunately, the overlying story here is Tre’Davious White moving forward. The Bills fared well without him–But can they for the long haul? He sustained a season-ending Achilles injury.
Special teams: A
Tyler Bass hit both of his field goals, including one from 53. No real mistake elsewhere, either. Punter Sam Martin averaged 46.5 yards per punt on his two boots.
Coaching: A
Holding a team to 20 after they put up 70 is… pretty good. Then giving that team a taste of their own medicine (OK, it’s not 70, but 48 is still a lot)? Sean McDermott’s team was ready.
