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.