The Miami Dolphins joined the AFL in 1966 and since then the Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills have played each other twice each regular season. The two teams have also squared off in five playoff games. Yesterday's meeting was the 120th in the history of the series which has seen periods of domination by one team or the other as well as periods of parity and very intense competition. That's a lot of football games between two teams but is well behind the Bears v. Packers who have met more than 200 times. The Dolphins lead the regular season series 61 to 53 with one tie. The Bills have won four of the five playoff match-ups including the AFC Championship Game in Miami in January of 1993 and a first round playoff game in Orchard Park in January of this year.
Due mostly to recency bias, many Bills fans probably consider the rivalry with the New England Patriots to be the fiercest one they know but historically, the Bills v. Dolphins rivalry has a much deeper meaning, particularly for those who remember the 1970s. Led by coach Don Shula and quarterback Bob Griese, the Dolphins dominated the Bills throughout the entire decade of the 70s, winning each and every one of the 20 games played between 1970 and 1979. The frustration of Bills fans through this period was not relieved until 1980 when Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson broke the streak with a home win which sent fans streaming onto the field like we often see in a major college upset. I think I have seen the Bills play the Dolphins five times with the biggest game by far taking place on December 23, 1990. With Jim Kelly injured, Frank Reich led the Bills to a critical home win which secured the AFC East division title and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs as they earned their first trip to the Superbowl. One of the most iconic images in Bills history is a photo taken during this game where Bruce Smith has his arms wrapped around Dan Marino as he brings him to the concrete-like astroturf. "Squish the Fish" is the Bills fans rallying cry for this rivalry. It was never more appropriate than it was yesterday in Orchard Park.
The Dolphins offence seemed unstoppable after the first three weeks of the season, especially after they hung 70 points on the Broncos last week. The game began as predicted with the two teams trading touchdowns on each of their first two drives. The Bills scored again on their third drive and then began stiffening their defence before pulling away. The 31 points the Bills racked up in the first half was the most in a half in 30 years. The Bills skilled players on offence shined throughout the game and the defence played well enough to slow the Dolphins down as much as was needed.
The postgame celebration for Bills fans however had a bittersweet aftertaste. Tre'Davious White, the standout cornerback now in his seventh season is probably lost for the season (to be confirmed today by MRI) with an Achilles tear. When the Bills face the New York Jets in November, perhaps White and Aaron Rodgers can sit together and compare notes on season-ending Achilles injuries. For White, this will be the second season-ending injury in the last three years. The most infuriating part for him I would think is that both of these injuries were "non-contact" - as in caused either by the turf or just an awkward body movement. On Thanksgiving Day in 2021, White tore ligaments in his left knee just by catching his shoe on the turf which flexed his knee sideways. He did return a year later but was not 100% until the beginning of this season. Now an Achilles tear will keep him out presumably until 2024. For a sport known for its violent hits, head injuries and 300 pound linemen falling on other players legs, a player like White who has now had two major non-contact injuries must feel like the most unlucky football player ever.
In response to player injuries, coaches like the phrase "next man up" as injuries present opportunities for whoever is the next man up. For the Bills, that man surely is Kaiir Elam. Last year's 23rd overall pick has been inconsistent at best (he was a healthy scratch in week one) and lost the second cornerback competition to Christian Benford who was drafted five rounds later. This is obviously the best opportunity Elam will have to show why the Bills made him their first round pick in 2022. Let's hope he rises to it.
Sean McDermott was quite emotional after the game when describing White's injury. He also said that in all his years in the NFL, he has never heard crown noise at any time in any stadium like he did yesterday. He said it was like a jet engine. Watching on television, it seemed loud as it always does but I didn't get the feeling that it was above and beyond the usual. It would have been a great game to see live as long as you brought plenty of sunscreen.
Next up for the Bills is an overseas trip to face the Jaguars in London. Kick-off is set for 9.30am Eastern on Sunday. I hope to have my turkey stuffed and ready to go into the oven before game time. I'd like to extend a personal thank you to TcketMaster UK for shutting me out of their site and denying me tickets to the game despite the "special season ticket holder preferred access pre-sale" link I received. I'd say that one of the most challenging jobs I can think of would be Communications or Public Relations Director for this highly unethical company. I won't be applying.
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