Bills: When fans think of the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen, they picture explosive passes soaring deep downfield, receivers racing past defenders, and highlight reel touchdowns. But Thursday night’s win over the Miami Dolphins had a noticeably different flavor. Instead of Allen’s cannon arm launching bombs, the Bills’ offense leaned heavily on short throws and a bruising run game a strategy that sparked plenty of conversation afterward.
Miami’s Defense Dictated the Game Plan
Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady explained the shift in approach, pointing to Miami’s defensive schemes as the main reason behind the lack of deep attempts. Allen attempted just one pass beyond 10 yards, finishing with a season low 3.7 intended air yards per attempt. For context, that’s the second lowest mark of his career since 2021 and the only other time it dipped this low was also against Miami.
Brady credited the Dolphins for disguising their coverages well, showing multiple split safety looks designed to keep everything in front of them. “They do a unique job of playing a bunch of versions of split safety showing, and then dropping out, getting a lot of depth,” Brady said. “They’re trying to put an umbrella on the defense.”
Efficiency Over Risk
While Brady admitted there were a few opportunities for more aggressive downfield shots, he praised Allen for sticking to the plan and not forcing risky throws. Instead, Allen leaned on his playmakers underneath. Tight end Dalton Kincaid had a strong night with 66 yards and a touchdown, while running back James Cook pounded the ground for over 100 rushing yards at 5.7 yards per carry.
Perhaps most impressively, the Bills have played mistake free football. They’ve gone eight straight games without a turnover, tying an NFL record since 1960. Over Allen’s last 11 outings, he’s delivered 30 touchdowns against just one interception a testament to the controlled yet highly effective approach.
Patience Could Lead to Bigger Plays Ahead
Brady suggested that if defenses continue to sit back in deep zones, Buffalo’s patience will eventually force adjustments. “If teams want to play split safety and give us the opportunity to run the ball, and if Josh shows he can be efficient underneath, at some point, they’re going to have to switch it up. And then it opens up the deep throws,” he explained.
The timing of Thursday’s game also influenced the strategy. With a short week of preparation, Brady noted the team couldn’t fully install their usual playbook. That means the Bills may have saved some of their vertical passing wrinkles for next week, when they face the New Orleans Saints after a mini bye.
Looking Ahead
The Bills’ offense has already proven it can be explosive. Now, with Allen embracing efficiency, the unit looks more balanced and perhaps even scarier for defenses. Brady admitted he still wants to see more deep plays, but he emphasized that winning and protecting the football come first.
“I would have loved for some of those balls to go further yesterday,” Brady said. “But I thought Josh did a great job playing efficient and doing what we needed to do to win.”
For now, the Bills’ short game is working and when the deep shots inevitably return, this offense could be even harder to stop.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports and statements. It is written in a unique, human-friendly style and does not aim to represent the official views of the Buffalo Bills or the NFL.
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