5 bold predictions for Dolphins against Bills

3. Myles Gaskin plays a substantial role in the Dolphins win

A bolder prediction would be assuming that Dolphins running backs would break 100 yards, because if Tagovailoa has his 300-yard game, getting another 100 yards on runs alone would be an unlikely 400-yard romp versus a very strong AFC team.

While Dolphins rushers only managed 74 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots, Tagovailoa got the touchdown, making 17 carries for 69 yards seem underwhelming for a three-RB committee.

However, Myles Gaskin entered 2021 as the primary running back once again, getting 9 touches for 49 yards and averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Tagovailoa is a mobile quarterback who’s proven he can run and rush for a few yards, but the run game primarily rests on Gaskin’s shoulders — and that’s important for an offense that prefers to pass.

While the pass is how the Dolphins will score the majority of their points, having a dependable running back in the backfield is necessary for a diversified and unpredictable offense.

A seventh-round pick in 2019, Gaskin is by no means a top-tier running back — he’s only scored 766 yards in 18 NFL games — but he’s still an important part of the offense as a capable NFL starter.

He’s not the best in the league by any stretch, but he will be crucial in alleviating defensive pressure and getting the Dolphins a win.

2. The Dolphins defense pulls three turnovers

The biggest headline in the Dolphins-Patriots match was the dominance of the Dolphins defense: they forced four fumbles, recovering two of them. One of those fumbles, forced onto Damien Harris in the red zone, is the play that prevented New England from winning the game.

The game-winning play proved that sixth-year cornerback Dolphin Xavien Howard was “worth every penny” as the All-Pro player hit hard while in coverage. Howard led the NFL in interceptions last year with an incredulous 10 picks, an element that threatens a heavy passer like Allen.

Mac Jones was careful not to throw any interceptions in his NFL debut, but Howard’s numbers prove that it’s only a matter of time until he clutches a wayward ball between his fingers and grasps hold of the game.

In their last matchup, it was Byron Jones who picked Allen, a play that ultimately resulted in a three-point gain.

Allen is known for his red zone lockdown capabilities: as of mid-December last year, he had never thrown an interception in the area.

But this is what Miami excelled in against the Patriots: Brian Flores played a brutal man coverage that beat four fumbles out of the Patriots and kept them from scoring touchdowns in the red zone. On four red zone opportunities, the Patriots only scored on one.

Seeing Allen challenged by Miami’s defense will be enthralling, but a confident Miami defense coming of a Week 1 win could nab Allen’s second red zone pick.