Dolphins are in the hunt for first division title since 2008

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins' relentless defense keeps coming, and even the Buffalo Bills are feeling the heat.

Miami has blitzed its way to five consecutive victories to cut Buffalo's lead atop the AFC East to one-half game. The Dolphins are 6-3, their best nine-game record since 2001, and have already exceeded their 2019 win total.

The dramatic turnaround under second-year coach Brian Flores has Miami in contention for its first division title since 2008. The Bills fell to 7-3 Sunday when they lost to Arizona on a Hail Mary.

"We're in the hunt," Dolphins center Ted Karras said. "We've got to keep executing and winning games and doing what we're doing."

WHAT'S WORKING

A 29-21 win Sunday over the Los Angeles Chargers followed a formula that is becoming familiar. The Dolphins took an early lead, allowing Flores to dial up blitz packages that kept the Chargers and Justin Herbert on their heels.

"Their pressure was getting to us," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.

Miami held Los Angeles to a season-low 273 yards.

"We take pride in is being aggressive and getting to the quarterback," linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel said. "When you have DBs back there that can cover, it makes it a lot easier to do that. That's what this defense has taken its pride in, and it's something that we're going to continue to do."

The Dolphins have a takeaway in 16 consecutive games, the longest streak in the NFL. And while their defense and special teams force mistakes, rookie Tua Tagovailoa continues to avoid them. He joined Philadelphia's Carson Wentz as the only quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era to win their first three career starts while not throwing an interception.

Monday was the first anniversary of Tagovailoa's hip injury that ended his Alabama career.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

STOCK UP

NFL punt return leader Jakeem Grant had his first receiving touchdown of the year and led the team with four catches for 43 yards.

"I'm not just a returner, I'm a receiver, too," he said. "I'm a total package."

Grant also had three punt returns for 57 yards.

STOCK DOWN

"This was a mutual parting," Flores said. "Given the circumstances, Jordan handled himself professionally. He was the consummate pro. There were no issues. We just felt this was in best interest for both parties."

With two other rushers injured, undrafted rookie Salvon Ahmed made his first career start and carried 21 times for 85 yards and a score. But the Dolphins still rank last in the league with an average of 3.6 yards per carry.

INJURED

LB Kyle Van Noy (hip) sat out much of the game before returning in the second half. Miami was without DT Christian Wilkins and four assistant coaches because of COVID-19 protocols.

KEY NUMBER

NEXT STEPS

On Sunday, Miami plays at Denver (3-6) for the first time since 2014. The next three opponents — Broncos, Jets and Bengals -- are combined 5-21-1, and those games could propel the Dolphins toward a showdown at Buffalo in Week 17.

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