The Buffalo Bills, under the helm of Sean McDermott since 2017, have firmly held the upper hand in their AFC East rivalry with the Miami Dolphins, capturing victory in 13 out of 15 matchups, including a decisive playoff win in 2022. This dominance places the Dolphins, especially under the guidance of head coach Mike McDaniel, in a position of eager anticipation for the unveiling of the 2024 NFL schedule, eyeing a chance to overturn their fortunes against a team that has clinched the AFC East title four consecutive times.
Despite finishing second to the Bills in recent years, including McDaniel’s tenure over the past two seasons, Miami hasn’t tasted division glory since 2008. This drought sets the stage for a potential turnaround in 2024, with McDaniel possibly steering his team toward reclaiming the AFC East crown.
The 2024 season brings immediate attention to a primetime face-off in Week 2, as the Dolphins, hosting their opening two games at Hard Rock Stadium for the first time since 2019, welcome the Bills for a Thursday night clash. This matchup not only offers Miami a chance to secure early conference wins but also presents an opportunity to edge ahead in their ongoing tussle with McDermott’s Buffalo. Remarkably, Miami’s last win against Buffalo was a 21-19 victory in Week 3 of 2022.
However, triumphing in Buffalo’s territory has posed significant challenges for the Dolphins, with an eight-game losing streak at Orchard Park since 2017, which includes a playoff defeat two years ago. As the season progresses, Miami will not have to wait long for a shot at redemption with a Week 9 visit to face Josh Allen and his teammates, hoping to reverse a score trend that has heavily favored Buffalo.
With both teams scheduled to complete their 2024 encounters within the first eight games, the narrative lacks a climactic Week 18 battle, contrasting last season’s finale where Miami’s hopes for the AFC East title were dashed. Furthermore, the Bills enter the 2024 campaign seemingly weakened due to salary cap constraints, an aspect that could tilt the balance in Miami’s favor as they aim for their first series sweep against Buffalo since 2016, just before McDermott’s tenure began. This year poses a tantalizing question: Will the Dolphins seize the moment to reclaim their spot atop the division?