The Buffalo Bills are set to host the Miami Dolphins in a crucial Week 9 divisional matchup. The Dolphins welcome back quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who returned from a concussion sustained in their earlier encounter this season. Buffalo is riding high after a commanding 31-10 victory against the Seattle Seahawks, while Miami’s record has slipped to 2-5 following a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Bills have firmly established themselves in the AFC East and have a chance to widen that gap with a win over Miami this Sunday. Given Buffalo’s offseason changes, few anticipated their dominance in the division during the first half of the season.
Part of this transformation involved parting ways with veteran players who helped cultivate a winning culture since Sean McDermott took over as head coach. One such player was safety Jordan Poyer, who joined the Bills in 2017 after stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Alongside Micah Hyde, who also signed with Buffalo that year, Poyer formed one of the league’s premier safety duos.
They were integral to the team’s defense and created lasting memories for Bills fans. However, with the team facing salary cap constraints, several roster cuts were necessary, leading to Poyer’s departure into free agency.
After leaving the Bills, Poyer signed a one-year deal with division rival Miami, a difficult reality for Bills fans to accept. Despite this, Buffalo has performed well at safety this season with Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin stepping up. Nevertheless, it feels strange for fans to see Poyer in a Dolphins uniform.
This week marks Poyer’s second return to Buffalo since joining Miami. He previously participated in a charity softball game hosted by Micah Hyde, where he received a warm reception from fans despite his new team affiliation. Poyer also praised Josh Allen as the best quarterback in the league during that event.
As Poyer returns to Buffalo to play for the Dolphins, he is likely to receive a standing ovation from the fans who appreciated his contributions to the team. His impact on the franchise was significant, and it would be surprising if he didn’t feel the love from the crowd.
