The Buffalo Bills will look to keep pace or perhaps leapfrog the frontrunning New England Patriots in the AFC East standings this week when they head south to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Buffalo (6-2), which beat Miami at home 31-21 in a Thursday night game on Sept. 18, enters the week a half-game behind the 7-2 Patriots.
The Bills are looking to extend their seven-game winning streak against the Dolphins, a run that includes one playoff matchup. Buffalo has dominated Miami for nearly a decade, winning 16 of the past 18 meetings since 2017.
Buffalo has won back-to-back games overall after a two-game skid and is coming off a victory over recent rival Kansas City.
The Dolphins (2-7) took a dismal loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 30, which led right into a tumultuous few days for the organization. Miami proceeded to fire longtime general manager Chris Grier the next day and promoted Champ Kelly to interim general manager.
Kelly then orchestrated the Dolphins’ lone trade before the league deadline last Tuesday when Miami sent outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia for a 2026 third-round draft pick.
Many expected the Dolphins to deal more players. They reportedly received calls on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and edge rusher Bradley Chubb but did not make any more moves.
However, Miami’s defense could be further depleted against the Bills as edge rusher Chop Robinson has yet to clear concussion protocol. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, whom team owner Stephen Ross said would not be fired for now, didn’t sound optimistic when asked Wednesday about Robinson’s status.
“I’m worried about him getting back to full steam ahead,” McDaniel said. “What does that mean for timelines? Your guess is as good as mine.”
Without Phillips and Robinson, Miami might be in trouble against Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who has consistently performed well against the Dolphins in his career. Allen is 13-2 as a starter against Miami, throwing for 3,950 yards and 40 touchdowns (both well more than he has recorded against any other team) with eight interceptions and a 110.3 passer rating — his best against an opponent he has faced four or more times.
However, Buffalo could be without its other top offensive weapon as running back James Cook missed practice Wednesday while dealing with ankle and foot injuries. Cook, who grew up in Miami, sustained the injury during the Bills’ second series last week against the Chiefs.
Cook ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards (867) behind only Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor (895), and his seven rushing touchdowns are tied with Allen for fourth.
“(It) came up during the game,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said of Cook’s issues. “Just sore in the last couple of days.”
If Cook is unable to play, Ray Davis likely would get the bulk of the carries.
The Bills’ offense flourished last week, with tight end Dalton Kincaid racking up six catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in his second game back from an oblique injury that cost him one game.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf), defensive end Joey Bosa (wrist), cornerback Taron Johnson (groin), receiver Josh Palmer (knee/ankle), linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring) and defensive end A.J. Epenesa (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday for Buffalo. Cornerback Christian Benford (groin) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (ankle) were limited. The Bills signed defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis from the practice squad.
The Dolphins signed linebacker Andre Carter II from the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. Cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot/ankle), wide receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb/foot) did not practice on Wednesday. Safety Ashtyn Davis (quad), running back Ollie Gordon II (ankle), tight end Julian Hill (ankle) and defensive tackle Zach Sieler (shoulder) were limited.
