The Miami Dolphins will need better performances from every position group than they got in Week 4 if they hope to defeat the Buffalo Bills in the rematch for the AFC East title.
And right at the top of the list has to be the offensive line.
And right at the top of the list of reason for optimism that it will be better are more favorable circumstances, even with a unit that's been riddled by injuries all year.
It starts with Liam Eichenberg now having some experience at center, as opposed to making his first NFL start at the position in Week 4 after opening-day starter Connor Williams was sidelined with a groin injury.
And it obviously didn't help that the Dolphins lost left tackle Terron Armstead in the second quarter of that game.
While the Dolphins still have injury issues, Eichenberg now has seven starts at center under his belt, Armstead is back in the lineup and the Dolphins also might be getting back starting right guard Robert Hunt for this game.
"I think that we're in a much better place overall (with) communication," offensive line coach Butch Barry said Thursday. "I think, when you do bring up that it's a guy's first time playing center, and it was his first time starting in a game at that position, there's naturally some cadence issues to work through with having go silent on the road. And just overall communication, everything, and making the calls and being the centerpiece, and the voice for the whole unit to work as one, I think that in that situation, based upon everything for him, he battled, and utmost respect in how he performed, but he is in a much better place at this moment in time.
"Another piece, obviously, is when somebody does go down, that factors. And I think that was a game that overall just kind of we felt like we're in a position where it was best suited to throw the ball more than normal. And so anytime that you're throwing the ball probably more than you typically anticipate, you increase your variables and opportunities for them to have what would be viewed as success, right?"
THE UGLY NUMBERS FROM THAT FIRST BUFFALO GAME
In that forgettable 48-20 Dolphins loss, Tua Tagovailoa was sacked four times, but more importantly was pressured on 29.3 percent of his dropbacks, per Pro Football Reference.
Both numbers are the second-highest the Dolphins allowed ahead only of the Monday night game against Tennessee when Williams was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the first quarter, which forced Eichenberg to switch to center after he had started the game at right guard.
Tua also took a season-high five QB hits against Buffalo along with four sacks.
The offensive line rebounded from that poor performance at Buffalo and turned in a more than respectable showing, particularly when considering the team has used 11 different starting combinations.
The hope is that whatever combination the Dolphins do use against Buffalo will have a better showing.
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