Josh Allen and Bills Missed Huge Opportunity With Dolphins Loss
The Buffalo Bills crashed with a 30-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November 9, in Florida. Heading into the game, the Bills were 6-2, and the Dolphins had a 2-7 record, so Buffalo was the obvious favorite, but the NFL is filled with surprises, and that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, when the Dolphins upset the Bills. Now, Buffalo is 6-3 for the season, while Miami has inched up their record to 3-7.
But, that’s all in the past, and it’s time to look to the future. Now, the Buffalo Bills are gearing up for a game on Sunday, November 16, at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But, looking back on the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins game, the Bills had a chance to make NFL history. If they had pulled off the win, they would have changed history in their conference and the greater league.
Buffalo Bills Fell Short on Making History
The Buffalo Bills came so close to finally tying up the Bills-Dolphins rivalry series. Before the game, the Dolphins lead the all-time series 62-61-1, and Buffalo had a chance to tie it Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. The Bills haven’t tied or led the series in 56 years, according to NFL research.
The game also broke a winning streak for the Bills. Buffalo has won seven consecutive games against Miami, including during the postseason. They’ve also won 14 of the last 15 overall contests, according to research from the Football Database. The Dolphins ruled this rivalry 1970s and won all 20 games during the decade. But, the Bills have come back at them ever since and have shut Miami out with two separate seven-win streaks since 2018, according to NFL research.
The Bills took to X to announce the game’s results minutes after the clock went down to zero. “Game,” they simply put, with a photo of the teams on the field and the final score of 30-13.
Commenters followed up on X to share their concerns. “That was it for the season only downhill from here,” one said, adding, “Patriots going to the bowl this year and will beat (Kansas City) to get there.” Another said, “Congrats to Pats for taking the AFC East. Sack Beane and McDermott right now.” One more added, “Beane cost the Bills the season by not adding at the trade deadline. He can say it takes two, but with as glaring of a need as WR was, overpay so they have to say yes.”
Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bills and Buccaneers both have a 6-3 record going into Sunday’s game, so this is going to be a close one. According to ESPN, “Coach Todd Bowles is very conscious of how explosive the Bills’ offense can be, namely QB Josh Allen, running and passing, and RB James Cook III. Buffalo averages the second-most yards per game (384.4) and leads the NFL in rushing yards (153.2).”
According to ESPN research, “Allen has exactly two turnovers in all three of the Bills’ losses. He has one turnover in their six wins.” So, as long as Allen is on top, the Bills should be just fine, but the Buccaneers are a worthy opponent.
Bears CB Kyler Gordon Sends Clear Message on Playing vs. Commanders
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Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon.
Chicago Bears slot cornerback Kyler Gordon will make his 2025 season debut against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football in Week 6, with confirmation coming from the man himself following Tuesday’s practice.
“I will be playing,” Gordon told reporters after Tuesday’s practice, via Marquee Sports Network’s Nicholas Moreano. The 25-year-old had missed the first four games with a hamstring injury that he sustained in training camp, one that worsened in Week 1.
When asked if his status for Monday night’s game is confirmed and if he is completely recovered from his injury, Gordon added, “Yeah, no pump fakes. No pump fakes.”
Gordon’s return could help spark the Bears defense against quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense. While their other cornerbacks have stepped up in his and Jaylon Johnson’s absences, Gordon is one of the NFL’s better nickel defenders, coming off a 2024 season in which he tallied a career-high 75 tackles and five pass deflections.
The Bears (2-2) will kick off against the Commanders (3-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday.
Will Bears Keep Gordon in the Slot vs. Commanders?
The Bears have missed Gordon. He is one of their most consistent defensive players and was one of the first players that new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen name-dropped in his introductory news conference in January after coach Ben Johnson hired him.
When he returns to play Monday night, though, will the Bears keep him in the slot?
After playing some outside corner as a rookie, Gordon moved into the nickel role full-time for the Bears in his second season and never looked back after hitting his stride. In the offseason, however, Allen indicated he would explore playing Gordon both on the perimeter or at the safety position, determined to take advantage of his versatility.
“Does he go outside and compete at outside corner?” Allen said about Gordon in April. “Does he compete some at safety? I’ve told him that he needs to be learning both of those spots. We’ll figure out where that second position is where he can go and compete. Hopefully, we can find some more playing time for him.”
On one hand, Gordon has thrived in the slot for the Bears, bringing consistency as both a pass defender and run defender. He also ranked 32nd out of more than 200 eligible cornerbacks as a run defender, according to Pro Football Focus’ grading metrics. The Bears could use that right about now to help fix their second-worst rushing defense.
With Johnson out for the foreseeable future and strong safety Jaquan Brisker sitting out Tuesday’s practice, though, moving Gordon is something the Bears may consider.
Multiple Bears Starters Still Sidelined With Injuries
On Gordon’s word, the Bears will have at least one starter back for their secondary for Monday night’s game against the Commanders, but there are a few other injuries and absences that could potentially pose problems for them heading into prime time.
According to The Chicago Tribune’s Sean Hammond, the Bears did not have Brisker, rookie tight end Colston Loveland, right tackle Darnell Wright, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett or placekicker Cairo Santos at Tuesday’s first practice of the week; however, he added that only included the portion of practice open to members of the media.
The Bears did not issue an injury report for the day and won’t until after Thursday’s practice, when they are first required to report practice participation for Week 6’s road game. Loveland, Jarrett and Wright all missed Week 4’s game with injuries, though, while Santos injured his quad in the third quarter of their win over Las Vegas.
As for Brisker, clarification about his absence — whether it is injury or something else — will have to wait until either the staff chooses to talk about it in the days ahead or the team releases its first injury report on Thursday afternoon.
