Bills Look to Secure AFC East Crown in Showdown Against Dolphins

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ICARO Media Group
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02/01/2024 23h34

It all comes down to Sunday night for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, as they battle it out at Hard Rock Stadium to determine who will take home the AFC East crown. Following a 27-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 17, the Bills have now shifted their focus to the 11-6 Dolphins with a full week of preparation ahead.

Head coach Sean McDermott, interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady, and Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line coach Eric Washington addressed the media on Monday evening, shedding light on key aspects of the team's game plan. One topic of discussion was wide receiver Stefon Diggs' recent dip in production.

Diggs, who has seen his snap share reduced in recent weeks, was on the field for just 65% of the team's snaps against the Patriots. Brady explained that he and Diggs are on the same page regarding his usage, stating, "There's times where we definitely tag him out of plays. It was something we talked about earlier in the season to get to where we want to get - to just not playing that many snaps."

Brady emphasized that the intent behind limiting Diggs' snaps is to keep him fresh and ensure the efficiency of the offense when targeting him. McDermott echoed Brady's sentiments, stating that there is no significant injury hampering Diggs and that it primarily comes down to quarterback Josh Allen going through his progressions correctly.

Despite the decreased production from Diggs, the Bills have managed to secure four straight wins, thanks in part to a renewed focus on the run game and different personnel groupings. However, the coaching staff remains aware of the impact Diggs brings to the team, with Brady acknowledging, "Look, I know we're better when Stef's on the field... Anytime he's on the field, we're better off. We know that."

Fortunately for Buffalo, Diggs has historically performed exceptionally well against the Dolphins. In their most recent meetings, Diggs recorded impressive numbers, including a team-high 7 receptions for 114 yards in last year's Wild Card round victory and 6 catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns in Week 4 of this season.

Looking ahead to the matchup against the Dolphins, McDermott expressed his desire for Diggs to continue being a focal point of the offense, stating, "He's a big factor for us. We're going to need him down the stretch here."

In other news, Bills' defensive tackle DaQuan Jones made a successful return to the lineup after missing the last 10 games with a torn pec. Jones showcased strong fundamentals and impressed the coaching staff with his performance, recording two tackles and contributing to a key sack.

McDermott commended Jones and believes that he can be an impact player for the defense in the remaining games. The head coach expressed satisfaction with Jones' first step in the right direction and looks forward to seeing his continued progress as he shakes off the rust.

As for the team's overall health, McDermott provided a positive update, stating that there were no significant injury concerns. Quarterback Josh Allen experienced some neck soreness after the Patriots game but is expected to participate in practice this week and be available for Sunday night's crucial showdown with the Dolphins.

With their 10th win of the season already secured, the Bills are eager to showcase their talent and determination as they vie for the AFC East crown. The game promises to be an exciting clash between two talented teams, and Buffalo remains focused on their ultimate goal of claiming the division title.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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