The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins needed come-from-behind victories to make up for slow starts on Sunday. The AFC East rivals will kick off Week 2 of the NFL season when they get together on Thursday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
It’s an especially short turnaround for the Dolphins (1-0) with the organization still reeling from Tyreek Hill’s detainment by Miami-Dade police hours before the team’s season opener.
Body camera footage released Monday showed that police officers aggressively pulled Hill out of his car, forced him to the ground and handcuffed him following a traffic stop. One officer held him down with a knee on his back. Tensions had escalated when Hill didn’t immediately comply with officers’ instructions to roll down his window. Teammate Calais Campbell, who wanted to de-escalate the situation, was also briefly detained.
Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has since called for the officers to be fired for their “horrendous” treatment of the Miami star receiver, while one officer who was assigned to administrative duty has retained attorneys as he seeks reinstatement.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, amid detailed and emotional remarks defending his players, said there was a silver lining in the team’s short week.
“We are able to immerse ourselves into something that is a tangible goal that you have some control over,” McDaniel said. “At times, it will be therapeutic for NFL game week and a Thursday opponent. That can be our greatest gift — our gift of extreme distraction. Our guys are highly motivated, especially when the world creeps in on you and rattles you a little bit.”
Hill played on Sunday and came away with seven catches, 130 yards and an 80-yard touchdown that aided the Dolphins’ 20-17 comeback win over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle helped Hill celebrate the big score by grabbing Hill’s wrists and miming a handcuffing motion.
Tua Tagovailoa led all NFL quarterbacks in Week 1 with 338 passing yards as he guided the Dolphins out of a 17-7 halftime deficit. He will be tasked with helping his team compartmentalize after an emotional weekend.
“Guys are in the right frame of mind. Guys are ready to play this game,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday. “There’s just been a lot of guys (preparing) up here in the building the past day or so since we played, so I think that’s a good thing for us.”
The Bills have dominated the all-time series between the teams recently, winning 10 of the past 11 regular-season meetings plus eliminating the Dolphins in the wild-card round of the playoffs during the 2022 season with a 34-31 home win.
“That’s gonna be the narrative, that we can’t beat the Bills, and until we do beat them and we beat them consistently, none of that’s gonna change,” Tagovailoa said.
Buffalo (1-0) got good news on star quarterback Josh Allen, who hurt his left (non-throwing) hand against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. After testing, Allen was cleared to play against Miami, and he was a full participant in practice Tuesday while wearing a glove on the hand.
“Just trying to be as normal as possible,” Allen said Tuesday. “Felt like I threw well today and was able to do all the things, so ready to go.”
Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Bills dug out of a 17-3 hole to beat Arizona 34-28.
Allen was stellar against Miami last season, compiling 679 passing yards, six TD passes and one rushing touchdown while throwing two interceptions in two meetings.
Tagovailoa will need to keep an eye on Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau, who tallied three sacks in Week 1. Buffalo, in turn, is watching out for the Dolphins’ trademark quickness.
“They got tremendous, tremendous speed,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “It’s unlike I’ve ever seen, and not just this year but in years past. … If you don’t get near them, they’re gone. Even when you get near them, they pull away.”
That speed could be tamped down, Raheem Mostert (chest) was ruled out for the game on Wednesday and fellow running back De’Von Achane (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Wide receiver Malik Washington (quadriceps) also missed the week’s first two practices, while offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (shoulder), linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and star corner Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) were limited.
Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (toe) were ruled out for Thursday’s game. Running back Ty Johnson (knee) put in a full practice on Wednesday and does not carry an injury designation, although defensive end Javon Solomon (oblique) was limited for the second straight day and is doubtful for the game.
