The Miami Dolphins will look to start 2-0 for a third consecutive season, but more importantly, they will try to score a big AFC East win when they face the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night.

Here’s all the pertinent info for this Week 2 Dolphins-Bills matchup.

1. January 7, 2024 at Miami — Bills 21, Dolphins 14
2. October 1, 2023, at Buffalo — Bills 48, Dolphins 20
3. December 17, 2022, at Buffalo — Bills 32, Dolphins 29
4. September 25, 2022 at Miami — Dolphins 21, Bills 19
5. October 31, 2021, at Buffalo — Bills 26, Dolphins 11

The Bills entered the season looking to win the AFC East title for a fifth consecutive season with few familiar faces, particularly on defense. Three-fourths of their longstanding secondary — cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Micah Hyde, and new Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer — have moved on, along with edge defender Leonard Floyd. And the team will be playing most of the season without linebacker Matt Milano due to a training camp injury. The most significant change on offense was the trade of wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. But the Bills still have quarterback Josh Allen, who arguably is the best quarterback in the NFL, not named Patrick Mahomes. Buffalo also has solid pieces on defense, particularly up front, where former Jaelan Phillips University of Miami teammate Gregory Rousseau is coming off a three-sack performance that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

THE BIGGEST REASON THE DOLPHINS WILL WIN

The Dolphins have lost 11 of the past 12 matchups in this series, and the one victory came in Miami in a September game two years ago. The Dolphins did have the lead heading into the fourth quarter of the game at Miami last season before losing, and that was an injury-depleted Miami team. This Dolphins team appears probably more talented than the one that took the field at Hard Rock Stadium last January. Tua Tagovailoa connected with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for big plays in the season opener, and there’s no reason to think they can’t do it again, mainly since Buffalo will be without probably its best defensive back, Taron Johnson. The Dolphins also have been able to force Allen into mistakes in recent matchups, including a couple of interceptions in January.

THE BIGGEST REASON THE DOLPHINS WILL LOSE

It always comes down to Josh Allen here, doesn’t it? And that game in January was the perfect example of how Allen can keep an opponent in a game before defeating. Yes, he had two picks in that game and a lost fumble, but he also passed for 359 yards and rushed for 67 more. His success against the Dolphins is well documented, starting with 33 touchdown passes and against only seven interceptions in 11 regular season matchups. On the other side of the ball, the Bills can disrupt the Dolphins passing game because of their defensive line, which is among the best in the NFL.

Is this the year? Is this the year the Dolphins finally overtake the Bills atop the AFC East? It’s too early to make that call, but we know it isn’t likely to happen if the Dolphins don’t take care of business against Buffalo at home. Neither AFC East team was particularly overwhelming in its regular season opener, but each won. It’s no secret that the Dolphins are very good at home, especially early in the season.

 The four former NFL players on the Amazon pregame and postgame shows were firm in their statements about the Dolphins needing this game if they want to take the next step in 2024, and the feeling here is they will get it done.

Police body camera footage has revealed that social media model Maecee Lathers was in a disoriented state, allegedly under the influence of the drug “pink cocaine,” when she caused a fatal crash in Miami. She was seen face down, topless, and vomiting in the video footage.
The self-proclaimed social media model from New York faces severe charges for allegedly causing the crash on August 10 while impaired in downtown Miami.The collision resulted in the deaths of Abraham Molina and Jesus Rubio, and injuries to Molina’s fiancée, Juanita Hernandez.

‘I’m from the future’

According to records, Lathers attempted to flee the scene without helping the victims.
In bodycam footage, she can be heard telling officers, “I’m from the future.”
When an officer asks, “Are you on drugs?” she replies that she is on “tusi.” The officer later reports via radio: “She just told us she’s on tusi.” Tusi, or pink cocaine, is a party drug typically made from ketamine and other substances.

Shortly after, paramedics arrived to transport her to the hospital. As she was placed on a stretcher, Lathers exclaimed, “The aliens…they’re coming.”

Charges against Lathers

At the time of the crash, Lathers, 24, was allegedly driving at high speed without a valid license. Her white Mercedes collided with a Suzuki carrying Molina, Hernandez, and Rubio. The impact resulted in fatal injuries to Molina and Rubio, while Hernandez survived with injuries. Lathers faces charges of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and causing injury.
Hernandez described the tragedy on a GoFundMe page, stating, “Abraham’s son, just 16 years old, has been left without the love and care of his father, who was his whole world.”
Reports indicate that toxicology tests found multiple drugs in Lathers’ system.
Lathers was initially under house arrest with GPS monitoring but was recently jailed again after prosecutors added DUI manslaughter charges.

Hearing scheduled for September 16

Lathers’ pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for September 16. If convicted of DUI manslaughter, she could face up to 30 years in prison.

The Miami-Dade County school board heard a mix of passionate opinions at a meeting Wednesday over a proposal to recognize LGBTQ+ History Month in October.

The item this year, known as H-10, reads that recognizing and observing LGBTQ+ History Month would still comply with state and federal laws in a way that does not affect curriculum and instruction. It was proposed by board member Lucia Baez Geller, who is also running for Congress.

If passed, the recognition of the history month would be ceremonial and not impact instructional material.

“This item is solely a symbolic gesture to recognize LGBTQ History Month as we do so many endorsements throughout the year,” Baez Geller said. “It does not pertain to curriculum.”

Parents, teachers and community members spoke before the school board for hours on Wednesday.

Those for acknowledging LGBTQ+ History Month say it’s about fostering an inclusive environment.

“If we truly want to teach children of Miami-Dade County Public Schools to cultivate empathy for others, we need them to understand that means for all people, and that starts by understanding everyone’s history,” a supporter said.

Those who argued against it said it’s an attempt to indoctrinate students.

“Young children do not need to learn about sexuality and queerness in school,” an opponent said. “I want to be the one teaching my child if and when he is ready. We want to keep this out of the schools. Please vote no we will not allow one more inch.”

The last time LGBTQ+ History Month was recognized was in 2021. The measure was voted down the last two years, with the board citing the Parental Rights in Education Law, which restricts classroom discussion on gender identity and sexual orientation.