Miami heads to Buffalo as 12-point underdogs, the largest regular-season line of McDaniel's tenure, a testing backdrop for a season that started with a stumble. The matchup spotlights Miami's knack for staying competitive in tight spots even when dismissed, turning tough nights into potential turnarounds and setting the stage for a midseason push.

Past clashes with Buffalo—especially close losses and a 2022 playoff appearance with Skylar Thompson stepping in for Tua Tagovailoa—illustrate a blueprint: keep it tight, resist the blowout, and seize late-game chances. If history rhymes, a competitive showing could spark a tangible shift and a mini-upset narrative for fantasy and bets alike.

A veteran anchor in Calais Campbell and a willingness to ride this season out rather than cash out could frame the defense for a late surge. The path to relevance for fantasy managers rests on efficiency, a solid plan against Buffalo's defense, and the intangible momentum of an underdog story turning hopeful again.