Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins first-half open thread

The Buffalo Bills will try to win their seventh game of the 2019 season, taking on the Miami Dolphins in their second meeting of the season. In Week 7, the Bills defeated Miami 31-21 in a game that the Dolphins actually led 14-9 in the third quarter. It took a tremendous effort by Tre’Davious White on a diving interception to keep Miami out of the end zone for the Bills to wake up and rally to victory.

After losing last week to the Cleveland Browns, the Bills find themselves sitting at 6-3, and while they are still the top Wild Card in the AFC playoff picture, they no longer have the commanding lead they once did. A Pittsburgh Steelers loss to those same Browns on Thursday Night Football helped the Bills, but a victory today over Miami is essential if the Bills want to solidify their playoff standing.

Josh Allen lost his only other career start in Miami, a 21-17 defeat in which he narrowly missed winning the game at the end. Tight end Charles Clay inexplicably failed to come back to a desperation fourth-down heave from Allen, allowing Miami to escape with the victory. The Bills squandered a superhuman performance from Allen on the day, as he completed 18-of-33 passes for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding nine rushes for 135 yards on the afternoon.

Since the Dolphins have made the switch permanently to veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team has played quite well. While this game is one that most Bills fans have had circled as a win for the entire season, it won’t be a cake-walk. The Bills have to show up and play well in order to defeat their division rival.

Will Devin Singletary see more carries? Will Allen continue his solid play the Dolphins? Will Kalen Ballage gash Buffalo on the ground? Your first-half thread is a great place to discuss these questions and more.

Enjoy the game—go Bills!