The Buffalo Bills jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead and held on for a 41-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Here's what you need to know:
- The game went according to script for Buffalo. The Bills' fearsome defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage, Charles Clay burned his former teammates in the first half, and Tyrod Taylor finished with a 136.7 passer rating. Through three games, the Bills have the look of a team that will be tough to beat unless Taylor is forced into a shootout with the opposing quarterback. Taylor became the first Bills quarterback since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly (1991) with at least seven touchdown passes and a 70-percent completion rate through Week 3.
- The Dolphins played with a malaise for the third consecutive week. Plagued by the annual of problem of poor line play, the offense has no sustaining element. Long scoring drives are few and far between, with a rushing "attack" that is virtually non-existent. The defense, allegedly led by $100 million defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, is ferocious in theory only. Ryan Tannehill is still having trouble with throws beyond 20 yards.
- Although LeSean McCoy looked as quick last week as he had since 2013, he spent much of Sunday's game on the stationary bike. Fifth-round power back Karlos Williams was impressive in relief, rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Up to three touchdowns on the season, Williams is going to play a key backfield role all season long.
- If there is a bright spot for the Dolphins, it's the emergence of Rishard Matthews as a second receiving threat to complement Jarvis Landry. After catching six passes for 115 yards last week, Matthews was even better versus the Bills, hauling in six more passes for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns. We'd like to know why Matthews has spent the past two seasons on the trade block and in Joe Philbin's doghouse after flashing playmaking ability with 11 catches for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Buccaneers in Week 10 of the 2013 season.
- Percy Harvin has been Buffalo's most consist receiver in September, impressing as a runner, deep threat and run-after-catch dervish. Sammy Watkins was ruled out for the game after leaving with a calf injury, which will likely put his status in doubt for next week's game against the Giants.
