The Buffalo Bills picked up a much-needed win in a physical and hard-fought divisional matchup at home against the New England Patriots this past Sunday, Dec 31.
It started out rough, as the special teams unit gave up the opening kickoff for a Patriots touchdown. The team trailed early, 7-0 before they could even take the field.
The Buffalo Bills defense began to dominate forcing three takeaways in the first quarter, becoming the first team since 2020 to accomplish that feat.
Buffalo Bills Rasul Douglas’ Successful Day
Bills CB Rasul Douglas (31) – Ben Ludeman/BuffaloBills.com
Cornerback Rasul Douglas has continued his stellar play since being acquired from the Green Bay Packers in a Halloween trade.
Douglas began the day deflecting a pass from New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe, which led to Ed Oliver diving for the interception.
The interception set up a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. The two teams then alternated punts. The Buffalo Bills defense wasn’t finished getting the ball back to their offense and forced two more turnovers on back-back drives.
This time, Douglas picked off the rout to start the Bills drive at the Patriots 14-yard line. By the time the defense forced their third turnover, the Bills already kicked their third field goal on the day.
The sizzling cornerback has ignited in the eight games that he has played for the Bills. He has tallied four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups, and a sack.
Douglas’ performance earned him the Defensive Player of the Week award, and boy did he deserve it.
Buffalo Bills Looking Ahead to Week 18 vs. Miami Dolphins
Why is week 18’s game vs. the dreaded Miami Dolphins in Florida so important? This game has many things on the line, but this week’s important prize is the AFC East crown.
If the Buffalo Bills win, it will be the fourth straight year the Bills have won the division and the second straight year the team will be the number 2 seed.
If the Miami Dolphins win, it would be their first AFC East title since 2008, when Tony Sparano was head coach, and their quarterback was Chad Pennington.
The Bills’ strengths are some of the Dolphins’ weaknesses. For starters, the Bills are coming in relatively more healthy than the Miami Dolphins are.
Bills QB Josh Allen (17) – Bill Wippert/BuffaloBills.com
Yes, Josh Allen is coming in with a shoulder injury, but it was earlier announced that the Dolphins have more guys banged up that could play big vs. some of the Bills’ bigger names on the team.
Miami’s Key Injuries
To start out, Dolphins star pass rusher Bradley Chubb is out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL, which is huge for the Bills offensive line.
Chubb has recorded 11 sacks for the Fish this year and this injury could have been avoidable had Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel not kept Chubb and his defensive starters in with the Dolphins already being blown out on the scoreboard at the Baltimore Ravens.
Bills WR Stefon Diggs (14) – Bill Wippert/BuffaloBills.com
Also, the Dolphins plan to be without starting cornerback, Xavien Howard due to a foot injury. It means Allen should have no problem throwing the ball deep to Stefon Diggs or, “Big Game Gabe” Davis this week.
Howard has been an all-pro this year, so not having him in the secondary spells trouble for the Dolphins ‘DBs trying to cover the Bills wide receivers this game.
Buffalo Bills Wide Receiving Core Lacks in Comparison
The only real thing the Dolphins have over the Bills is speed all over the field, especially at the wide receiver position. Tyreek Hill is without a doubt lighting in a bottle, and Jaylen Waddle is a close second and is sadly ruled out for this game.
Hill has 1,717 yards receiving averaging 15.3 yards per catch, while Waddle has 1,014 yards averaging 14.1 yards per catch. Waddle is expected to return for the playoffs, so not all news is bad in the world for the Dolphins.
The Bills with a win over Miami can clinch the AFC East title, but if they don’t win, they can still clinch a spot in the playoffs.
To watch the final regular game of the year on Sunday Night Football in primetime, it can be seen on NBC @ 8:20 pm.
