Top 5 storylines for Bills vs. Dolphins | Week 10

The Bills have crossed the halfway point of the season and have a 6-2 record heading into Week 10. After three straight games against non-divisional opponents, the Bills are back to playing against their division with a game against the Miami Dolphins.

Here are five storylines to follow for Sunday's game in Miami.

1. Keeping the win streak alive vs. Miami

The Bills are looking for their eighth straight win against Miami, including playoffs. The last time Buffalo dropped a game to the Dolphins was in the beginning of the 2022 season when they lost in Week 3 at Miami by two points (21-19).

Since then, it's been all Buffalo. Their offense has seen a lot of success in the last seven wins scoring at least 30 points in six of seven matchups. In quarterback Josh Allen's 16 total matchups against the Dolphins, Allen is 14-2 and averages three total touchdowns per game. The QB has 43 passing touchdowns to just 10 interceptions in his career against Miami and averages a 109 passer rating.

Buffalo's defense has forced at least one takeaway in six straight matchups against Miami, including playoffs. Since 2018, they've allowed 19.1 points per game and average 1.7 takeaways per game against the Dolphins.

2. Buffalo's passing game comes to life

Buffalo's passing attack came to life in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Josh Allen set a franchise record for completion percentage in a single game with 88.5% (min. 15 attempts).

Allen got into a great rhythm with receivers, throwing for 273 yards. It was just the second game this season Buffalo has passed for more than 270 yards. Ten different players also caught a pass from Allen against the Chiefs.

"I thought he just honed in on some of his details, his techniques, his mechanics as we were kind of rolling and saw the ball go in the rim early in the first drive," offensive coordinator Joe Brady said of Allen's day. "And after that, you knew he was in full control and no matter what I called, he was going to find a way to make it work."

The tight end room was a magnet for targets as they combined for 149 receiving yards, the most by Buffalo in a game since 1970. Tight end Dalton Kincaid led the way with six catches for 101 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Kincaid should have favorable matchups for a second straight week against Miami's defense. The Dolphins have allowed 36 total points (2^nd worst) and 603 total yards (3^rd worst) to tight ends.

"You see how important Kincaid is. He just is," ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky told One Bills Live. "He's a matchup absolute nightmare. When he's on the field I don't know how defenses truly want to play him. I truly believe he's the starting point (in the) pass game for them.

"If you go back to some of the plays (against Kansas City), he's by himself. The Bills are using Kincaid like the Chiefs have used Kelce for a decade."

Overall, the Dolphins rank 10^th against the pass allowing 198.1 passing yards per game. This number drops quite a bit when you look at passing yards per attempt – Miami falls to 26^th allowing 7.7 passing yards per attempt. Their defense hasn't been successful at picking off quarterbacks as they have just one interception through nine weeks, which ranks 30^th.

In terms of how the Bills can flip a memorable performance forward, Sean McDermott said their success against Kansas City started with their preparation.

"It starts with the staff, the offensive staff putting together, led by Joe, a really good plan, players understanding it," McDermott said. "Josh looked very in control of knowing what he was seeing out there. And you combine that with our ability to run the football, and all of a sudden it gets really hard to defend."

3. A tough first half for the Dolphins

While the Bills have just two losses through nine weeks of play, the Dolphins have only two wins. It's been a tough first half of the season for Miami.

Their offense, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, has scored more than 30 points in just one game this season. Their defense has allowed at least 27 points in all but two games.

Miami's 2-7 start is their worst since 2021. The Dolphins most recent loss was to the Ravens (28-6) on Thursday night in Week 9. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel thinks attention to detail has to be at an all-time high this week.

"I think it's very tough to sit on a loss over a 10-day period, but it also gives you opportunity to dictate the terms of how your next game is going to go," McDaniel said. "I think the focus and the attention to detail has to be turned up. I think guys are very hungry for that. That's the only way that you move forward in this game."

The Dolphins have yet to win back-to-back games this season. Through nine games, they're averaging 20 points per game (26^th) and 291.4 total yards per game (27^th). They have the most turnovers in the league at 15 and one of the worst turnover differentials at -8 (31^st).

Defensively, the Dolphins are allowing 27 points per game (tied for 24^th) and 343.7 total yards per game (24^th). They're also allowing a 74.1% completion percent (32^nd) and 114.4 passer rating (32^nd) to quarterbacks.

ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes if you can shut down wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De'Von Achane, the Bills should get a victory.

"You got to handle Waddle, and you got to handle Achane. We know that," Orlovsky told One Bills Live. "…They do a good job defending Tua (Tagovailoa), so they have a good concept of how to handle them. Defensively, this is a team who's struggled mightily over the last two months to play football…This is a game that Buffalo should dominate."

4. Miami parts ways with their GM

Miami parted ways with their general manager Chris Grier last Friday following the team's 28-6 loss against the Ravens. Grier was the Dolphins GM from 2016-25 and has worked with Miami since 2000.

Chairman of the Board and Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross delivered this statement after the decision was made.

"As I assessed the state of the team and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait. We must improve — in 2025, 2026 and beyond — and it needs to start right now. Champ Kelly will serve as interim general manager effective immediately, and we will begin our search process for a new general manager. I want to thank Champ for stepping up and his commitment to the Dolphins success this season. There is a lot of football left to play, and we all need to fight even harder."

Champ Kelly, who will serve as interim GM, is in his first season with Miami. He was originally brought on to be a senior personnel executive. Kelly served has prior experience as he was the interim general manager for the Raiders from 2023-24.

Since parting ways with Grier, Miami did one deal before the NFL trade deadline on November 4. Miami traded edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia for a 2026 third-round pick.

5. Next man up mentality after DE Michael Hoecht Achilles injury

On Monday, Sean McDermott announced the sad news that defensive end Michael Hoecht would miss the rest of this season due to a torn Achilles. Hoecht was placed on Injured Reserve after playing in just two games in his first season with the Bills.

The DE was productive registering two sacks, a forced fumble and two quarterback hits in those two appearances. With Hoecht unfortunately out for the season, the Bills must move forward.

Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said Hoecht's energy and smarts will be tough to replace.

"We'll have guys that will step up," Babich explained. "And every player is a little bit different, right? It's part of our job to figure out their skill set, where they can be best used. And it's not going to be easy to replace. But this is the National Football League, and things happen."

One player who could see an increased amount of playing time is defensive end Javon Solomon. The second-year player has seen action in every game this season and has registered one sack and two quarterback hits so far.

"I think he's just more comfortable," Babich said of Solomon. "…I think his confidence is just growing to where he's had some rushes in there that maybe haven't ended completely in a sack, which he did against Atlanta. So, with all those little things that keep adding up every rep, I think his confidence just continues to build. And it's more on the attack than it is being part of the play."

Even though the defensive line room is without Hoecht and defensive tackle Ed Oliver for the foreseeable future, Babich remains confident in the group.

"The level of confidence in the players and the coaches is high," Babich shared. "…We'll figure it out and we'll continue to do that. Like I said, every week is different, so things might present a little differently. We'll try to put together the best lineup and packages that we can to make sure that we give ourselves the best chance to win."