Latest news makes Bills' Super Bowl chances skyrocket
The Buffalo Bills' odds of advancing to the Divisional Round just skyrocketed following the comments made by Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel on Wednesday. Per the head coach, Tua Tagovailoa is officially ruled out as the quarterback hasn't cleared the concussion protocol ahead of the playoffs. In his place, rookie QB Skylar Thompson will be […]
The Buffalo Bills' odds of advancing to the Divisional Round just skyrocketed following the comments made by Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel on Wednesday.
Per the head coach, Tua Tagovailoa is officially ruled out as the quarterback hasn't cleared the concussion protocol ahead of the playoffs. In his place, rookie QB Skylar Thompson will be making the start.
The decision was expected as sportsbooks already made the Bills 10-point favorites over the Dolphins, a sign that the markets didn't expect Tua to make it back on time. Now though, the Bills have made it official.
Thompson, a seventh-round draft pick by the Dolphins, has started two games this season. He's 1-1 with this lone victory coming last Sunday in an 11-6 win over the New York Jets. The former Kansas State signal-caller has completed 60 passes out of 105 attempts for 534 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
Playing against a Bills defense coached by DC Leslie Frazier in a cold game doesn't bode well for the Dolphins rookie.
Although the rookie has made some plays here and there (see the tweet below), chances are the Bills are likely to overwhelm him with pressure and disguised coverages on the backend.
The Dolphins will likely focus on pounding the rock, something they did efficiently in the second showdown between them and the Bills. But Buffalo ranks #3 in rush defense DVOA which should have Bills Mafia feeling relatively confident about the matchup.
Not only that but the news is huge for the Bills' Super Bowl aspirations. While there are big-time challenges ahead, including potential games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, having an almost-guaranteed win in the Wild Card Round is massive.
Of course, no playoff team is an "easy challenge." But Skylar Thompson's Dolphins are highly unlikely to get a W in Buffalo.
It would've been awesome to watch Tua and Josh Allen go at it for a third time in the playoffs but life in the NFL is usually unfair. Not to mention, everyone around the league is wishing Tua Tagovailoa a quick recovery from his most recent concussion.
The Bills and the Dolphins will square off on Sunday's noon game on what should be yet another cold game in Buffalo.
Featured image via Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
