The Buffalo Bills, already banged up with injuries to Robert Woods and LeSean McCoy, took more casualties in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins ran all over Buffalo, and the final score suggests the game was closer than it truly was; the Bills completed a touchdown drive in garbage time aided by Miami personal foul penalties.
Safety Aaron Williams left the game near the end of the first half, after a crackback block by Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry left him with a head and neck injury. Williams’ career was jeopardized last year when he suffered a dangerous injury to his neck against the Patriots, so we wish him all the best on his prognosis. LeSean McCoy also aggravated his hamstring injury during the game, finishing the day with a measly 11 yards on eight carries. In the fourth quarter, Marquise Goodwin suffered a concussion as he came down from an attempted catch.
The major themes for the day: Jay Ajayi and Miami’s rebuilt offensive line were unstoppable for the second straight week, and Buffalo’s offense failed to find a rhythm against the Dolphins.
Two weeks ago, the Dolphins looked at their moribund rushing attack and decided change was in order. They waived former starters Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas and promoted Ajayi to the starter’s role. That made all the difference. Against the Steelers, Ajayi stormed ahead for 204 yards and two touchdowns. This week, the Dolphins as a team rushed for 257 yards - 214 of that credited to Ajayi.
Sammy Watkins was on IR. Robert Woods was out. McCoy was essentially a decoy. You may have expected that the biggest issue for Buffalo’s offense may have been a runner who couldn’t find a hole, or receivers who failed to get open. Yet the unit holding Buffalo back was actually the offensive line, which was dominated all game by Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, and, yes, Mario Williams. Tyrod Taylor was pressured on more than half of his dropbacks, usually before he could finish his drop. The blocking just wasn’t there on Buffalo’s running plays, and even a healthy McCoy probably couldn’t have taken advantage.