The rivalry between the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills has grown even more thanks to key games played in recent seasons, and the trash-talk those contests generated from one Bills player has now drawn a response from Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead.
#Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins after beating the #Dolphins to win the AFC East:
“Miami is our city. Bills Mafia runs through this place. And they show us year after year after year, and we're thankful for them. We're thankful for the fans. … it was a home game for sure.” pic.twitter.com/uuwWrYukbU
— Safid Deen 💯💯💯💯 (@Safid_Deen) January 8, 2024
Armstead took the high road in response.
“That’s Dion [Dawkins],” Armstead said. “That’s him. He just likes to talk a little bit. He’s a great player. He’s a great young player. I love watching him go about his business. He’s been phenomenal, his progression and development as a pro.
“He’s one of the greats playing that position. Nothing but love for Dion. They don’t own anything at all. That’s just a little smack talk. That’s it.”
Back in January, the Bills defeated the Dolphins in a game at Miami that decided the AFC East winner. Dawkins, a Buffalo offensive lineman, had something to say about it afterward, calling the Dolphins’ hometown “our city” and praising the Bills fans in attendance at Hard Rock Stadium.
Because of that 21-14 loss, the Dolphins had to go on the road for their first playoff game and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in some of the coldest conditions in NFL history.
Back in the 2022 season, Buffalo was the home team when it knocked Miami out of the playoffs with a 34-31 victory.
The Bills have won four of the past five games they have played at Miami, including a 35-0 shutout victory in the 2021 season. Since the start of the 2013 season, Buffalo is 7-4 in games played at Miami.
Dawkins made his NFL debut in 2017 and has played seven seasons for Buffalo. Armstead has played the past two seasons for the Dolphins after starting his NFL career by playing nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Since the 2001 NFL season, the Dolphins have won the AFC East just once, in the 2008 campaign. After a long run of divisional dominance by the New England Patriots, the Bills have captured the division crown in each of the past four seasons.
This season, Miami will be looking to make the playoffs for a third consecutive campaign and secure its first playoff win in more than 20 years. The Dolphins have made some notable additions this offseason, including tight end Jonnu Smith, and may still be linked to veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Buffalo also made significant news this offseason when it recently traded top wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
No matter who is on the field, the games between the Bills and Dolphins will again be significant and worth talking about this season.
