3 Bold Predictions for the Dolphins against the Bills
The Miami Dolphins won in a nail biter against the New England Patriots in Week 1. Here are three bold predictions as the Dolphins face off against the Bills this Sunday.
Tua Tagovailoa balls out
Call me crazy, but I think Tua Tagovailoa will have flashes of brilliance against a talented Bills defense. Last week against the Patriots, Tagovailoa was average working through pressure and had some errant throws. Admittedly, he knows he needs to clean up some stuff. It was only Week 1 where everyone was rusty.
With all the criticism stemming from the offseason, Tagovailoa will need to silence his critics. It could come against the bills.
Tua checked out of a run play to a slant to DeVante Parker late in the game, near his goal line. “We didn’t want to give them the ball back,” Tua said.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 15, 2021
In an Offense designed for Tua and Tua only, he is comfortable knowing where he needs to throw the ball and who he needs to throw to. It is a timing based offense catered to his biggest strength. Timing and accuracy.
“Where we’ve made way more hay … has been the play-pass with the illusion of RPO.”
“I want the line, the tight end, the running back, the quarterback to make it look, feel, smell, sound like RPO. I want everyone in the stadium to say here comes another.”
-Steve Sarkisian pic.twitter.com/EbHyRFRoFX
— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) September 15, 2021
In a critical moment of the game, Tua checks out of the run play and throws a dart to DeVante Parker on a 1st and 14 to move the chains and close the game with a win.
Last year, he lacked the ability to signal his WRs to get out of bad plays, and he took the blame for that by saying it was because he didn’t know the playbook well enough. At a crucial point in the game, he signaled to get out of the bad play and put the ball into a position where only DeVante Parker could succeed.
From his former OC in Steve Sarkisian:
“Tua, very instinctual. He can make RPOs work. He’s the best signaler I’ve ever been associated with. This guy will signal things that didn’t even practice, but he’ll signal it, and it works.”
He will have several “gotta have it” moments against the Bills.
His Stat line: 350 Yards, 3 TDs.
Jevon Holland is the Josh Allen Killer
Jevon Holland played only 24 snaps and was the highest graded rookie per PFF, he had an 82.5 overall grade. I expect that to change against the Bills.
1. #Dolphins S Jevon Holland – 82.5
…
4. #Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase – 77.9The top-15 highest-graded rookies thru Week 1https://t.co/Be5opic7YO
— PFF (@PFF) September 16, 2021
Buffalo comes into Miami with a potent aerial attack led by Josh Allen who haunts the Dolphins. Allen is 7-1 against Miami in his career.
However, Josh Allen struggled against Pittsburgh and looked like his old self in 2018 and 2019. The Steelers employed a heavy usage of two-safety looks and showing man coverage. Instead they played a lot of Cover 3 buzz and had safeties dropping into the middle of the field, not deep. This led to Josh Allen holding the ball longer, facing pressure and not converting his plays.
It’s not hard to see why Coach Flores said Jevon Holland was one of his favorite players to watch on tape. Outstanding cover skills, instinctive as all get out and he lives to stick his face in the fan against the run. pic.twitter.com/iCK2jJoc6V
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) May 1, 2021
Miami’s corners handled the deep ball against the Patriots in Cover 3 and Tampa 2 but they have to face Stefon Diggs who can take passes to the house. Albeit, I believe Xavien Howard is equipped to handle Diggs.
The Miami Dolphins went away from what they were good at, I deep dived into what the Gameplan was against New England and Mac Jones.https://t.co/bRGFUESToD
— Hussam Patel (@HussamPatel) September 15, 2021
The issue is that Miami’s LB corps cannot cover the middle of the field well, this is where Holland comes to play.
Minkah Fitzpatrick played a fantastic game as a deep and intermediate safety and did not allow players to get deep very often. Holland replaced Fitzpatrick, and is a better fit in Brian Flores’ scheme.
What a hit by Jevon Holland 🐬🔥 pic.twitter.com/xqncjkutz0
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) September 12, 2021
With over 800 career snaps in the slot, more than 300 as a free safety and 300 more in the box, Holland could be tasked in securing the Middle of the field and not allowing players to move upfield.
Josh Allen runs for over 100 yards
Josh Allen can destroy offenses with his arms and his legs. If Miami could do some of the same things Pittsburgh did, Allen could look to do some damage with his legs.
Josh Allen just broke a man’s ankles!! pic.twitter.com/trTVY8jKUy
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) September 12, 2021
The Dolphins Defense have had issues with many Mobile QBs and Allen is the biggest name of them all.
Fortunately for the Bills, Josh Allen is mobile enough to escape the pressure on this 6 man rush from the Dolphins to just be able to get rid of the ball. pic.twitter.com/zda2lNRV9r
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) October 21, 2019
If Miami is able to hold up in coverage but not put any Pressure on Allen, it will be a tricky day for the Defense as Allen can move the chain with his legs on critical third downs. Gassing the Defense.
His stat Line just running against Miami? 340 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs.
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