Here are the top takeaways from Sunday’s Buffalo-Miami game, including the highest-graded players for each team:
Buffalo Bills
– Tyrod Taylor’s (+0.3) decision making was impeccable Sunday. Credit to Greg Roman for scheming a good number of open one-read throws, but when they weren’t open, Taylor wasn’t forcing the issue at all. The Bills' quarterback took what the Dolphins' defense gave him over and over, negating their fearsome pass rush with 17 throws coming in in less than 2.5 seconds, and nine other dropbacks using play action. It may not grade out extremely well because of a few missed open receivers and the easy nature of many of his completions, but it was a solid performance from Taylor.
– How jacked up was Richie Incognito (+3.4) to face his old team? Very. The Bills guard was a monster in the run game yesterday. He’s currently our top-rated guard for the season, and on Sunday, allowed his first and only pressure of the season so far. Incognito was locked in block after block against the Dolphins. He didn’t face Ndamukong Suh at all, but he handled Earl Mitchell (-2.4) quite nicely.
– One running back is grabbing the reigns and taking over in Buffalo, and it’s not the one they spent big money on this offseason. Rookie Karlos Williams (+3.3) patient, no-nonsense running style perfectly blends with the Bills power schemes. The fifth-round pick averaged 3.8 yards after contact per attempt and broke two tackles on 12 carries. Conversely, LeSean McCoy (-1.0) looked out of place. The smaller points of attack leave little room for creativity from McCoy, and so far his only impact has come via the passing game.
Top Performers:
DE Jerry Hughes (+5.6)
LG Richie Incognito (+3.4)
DT Kyle Williams (+3.3)
TE Charles Clay (+3.1)
WR Percy Harvin (+2.4)
Miami Dolphins
– Ryan Tannehill (-3.5) was thoroughly outplayed by a career backup, and he still hasn’t taken any sort of step forward from 2014. This was supposed to be his breakout year, but it’s been a dumpster-fire on offense to start the season for Miami. The Dolphins' receivers did have five drops, but some of that was due to Tannehill’s inaccuracy.
– Cornerback is a big problem spot for the Dolphins, and it cost them any chance in this one. Brice McCain (-3.7), in particular, was picked on, allowing 6/10 targets for 100 yards. Buffalo skirted around Miami’s D-line and attacked straight at their secondary, using the quick passing game or play-action rollouts.
– This is the Ndamukong Suh (+5.5) that the Dolphins paid for. He’s not—and never will be—a one man defense, but Suh created consistent havoc on his own while his line-mates struggled to make an impact. He had three stops and one hurry, but blew up linemen on a handful of stunts that couldn’t get home due to Tyrod Taylor’s quick release. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, only one other defensive lineman (Derrick Shelby, +1.6) graded positively for the game.
Top Performers:
DT Ndamukong Suh (+5.5)
WR Rishard Matthews (+2.6)
RT Ja’Wuan James (+1.8)
DE Derrick Shelby (+1.6)
RB Lamar Miller (+1.3)
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