The Buffalo Bills and their “X-factors” continue their 2025 NFL season with a matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Week 10 at Hard Rock Stadium.
While game plans, coaching, and strategy will play a part, but sometimes a big emphasis will sit with some individual players. In terms of the Bills defense, who could those be?
Here are Bills Wire’s three potential X-factors on the Bills (6-2) defense against the Dolphins (2-7):
LB Terrel Bernard
The quick pass and ground game from the Dolphins offense gave Buffalo’s defense headaches earlier this year. Bernard will play a role in stopping both of those for the Bills.
CB Christian Benford
While previously doing much of his work in the slot in the past, Waddle has taken more of a role as an outside receiver on the Dolphins offense in 2025. The Bills are starting to find some confidence in safety Cole Bishop, but Benford could stand to do the same.
DE Greg Rousseau
Rousseau and Joey Bosa have had successful spells for the Bills defense this year despite not always getting the sack numbers. Both need to get to Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa much better on Sunday than they did in Week 3.
Rousseau might have the better chance to do so, according to Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Larry Brown is having a tough year, earning only a 55.8 overall grade in 2025.