What we learned from Buffalo Bills’ loss to Miami Dolphins

Here are eight things we learned from the Buffalo Bills’ 21-19 Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins:

The Bills are not invincible 

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The Bills entered 2022 as the Super Bowl favorite. Buffalo proceeded to roll their first two opponents.

A loss in Miami reminds Buffalo that this team is not invincible. But few are. Even last year’s team that lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars wasn’t… and they ended up being pretty good, right?

Bills can use backs even if they can’t run the ball

Devin Singletary #26 of the Buffalo Bills  (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Injuries along the offensive line hit the Bills in Miami. Buffalo’s entire right side of the O-line, Ryan Bates and Spencer Brown, went down with injury.

Even before then, a trend continued against the Dolphins. The Bills struggle to run the ball.

But at least we did see Buffalo get their running backs involved in the passing game. Some stats from the Bills backfield against Miami:

Devin Singletary: 9 catches, 78 yards, TD
James Cook: 4 catches, 37 yards
Zack Moss: 1 catch, 6 yards
Reggie Gilliam: 2 catches, 22 yards

The secondary has some depth

Shi Smith #12 of the Carolina Panthers evades a tackle by Damar Hamlin #31 of the Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

More injury related things we learned, but this time a pretty good update. Before kickoff, the Bills knew they’d be without both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, who was a late addition to the inactive list.

Enter Jaquan Johnson and Damar Hamlin. There were some mistakes such as penalties and a long, touchdown-setting up catch by receiver Jaylen Waddle. But all in all, Miami was held to 21 total points. Most expected a shootout and that never happened.

Game management can still be an issue

Buffalo Bills Sean McDermott . (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen had some game management issues. They popped up at the end of both halves.

On both occasions, problems stemmed relating to the clock. The Bills could have put up points at point times but failed to.

The injury bug is getting messy

Buffalo Bills guard Greg Van Roten (75). (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Already referenced, but injuries piled up. There’s almost too many to note from Miami between pregame and during the contest. Bills Wire will provide updates throughout the week on them all.

Some names to watch:

Jordan Poyer (foot)
Spencer Brown (heat related)
Jake Kumerow (ankle)
Jordan Phillips (hamstring)

This is a fiery bunch

Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey  (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Ken Dorsey sure is a guy that cares. The Bills offensive coordinator’s meltdown after the final whistle is going viral.

But at least we know it means a lot to him–And the rest of the team. After the game you could tell players were both physically and mentally exhausted from the battle. Allen was one of them.

AFC East is up for grabs

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) (USAT photo)

Standings don’t lie. The Dolphins lead the AFC East after three games and you can’t take that away from them.

But the Bills are back-to-back divisional champs. The war for the crown is far from over.

The Bills aren’t overreacting

Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins passes the ball against Von Miller #40 of the Buffalo Bills . (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

The Bills know Sunday hurts.

They also know things aren’t over. It’s a long season and players like Von Miller saying the loss is “good medicine” for the team are showing that they know that too.