The Buffalo Bills secured a commanding 31-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, extending their winning streak at Highmark Stadium to ten games. Despite the win, the game highlighted both the Bills' offensive prowess and some defensive vulnerabilities. Josh Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, continued his stellar performance, breaking the record for fastest quarterback to reach 300 total touchdowns (including playoffs), surpassing Patrick Mahomes. He completed 79% of his passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his efficiency even while playing with a nose injury requiring a visor. Allen played every offensive snap (100%).
The Bills' running game was equally impressive, with James Cook leading the charge. Cook registered his second consecutive 100+ rushing yard game, playing 67% of the snaps and finding the end zone four times in three games. His success seemingly limited the snaps for Ty Johnson (25%) and Ray Davis (7%), highlighting Cook's dominance. This efficiency was further amplified by offensive coordinator Joe Brady's strategic use of two- and three-tight-end sets, maximizing the impact of Dalton Kincaid (55%), who excelled with five receptions, 66 yards, and a team-high two touchdowns.
The receiving corps also showed depth, with nine different receivers recording receptions. Khalil Shakir (70%) scored his first touchdown of the season, and Tyrell Shavers (20%) contributed two receptions for 24 yards. Elijah Moore's (23%) utilization in a gadget role adds another dimension to the offense, raising questions about the future role of Curtis Samuel, who remained inactive.
On defense, while the Bills secured the win, their performance raised some concerns. Despite facing a banged-up Dolphins offensive line, the Bills struggled to generate consistent pressure. Joey Bosa (87%), playing 53 snaps, was the only pass rusher to register a quarterback hit. While DaQuan Jones (69%) continued to lead the interior line in snaps, the performance of rookie defensive tackles, T.J. Sanders (59%) and Deone Walker (31%), sparked debate. While Sanders saw significantly more snaps than in previous weeks, Walker's impact, notably pressuring Tua Tagovailoa on a game-sealing interception, suggests a potential shift in snap distribution may be warranted. Terrel Bernard's (100%) interception sealed the victory, while Dorian Williams (75%) logged his highest snap count of the season due to Matt Milano's injury. The return of veteran Shaq Thompson (34%) also provided a boost to the defense.
The game also highlighted a shift in defensive strategy, with a more frequent use of the base 4-3 defense, leading to fewer snaps for nickel cornerback Taron Johnson (66%).
Overall, while the Bills secured a victory, the snap count analysis reveals areas for potential improvement and strategic adjustments moving forward. The team's offensive strength is undeniable, but consistent defensive pressure remains a key area for growth.
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Originally published at: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-news/116421/bills-vs-dolphins-week-3-snap-count-analysis
