Serving Bills Fans Since 1998 Home BILLS DAILY GAMEDAY PREVIEW GAMEDAY HOMEPAGE Week 17: Bills vs. Dolphins Preview The Bills wish there was more football to play after this weekend's finale. They are now playing their best football of the year with a 2-2 record in their last four games with both losses coming on the final play. The Dolphins are looking to improve their position in the playoffs. Miami is in the playoffs but if they win this game and get some help they can get the division title and/or a first round bye. Facts and Figures Matchup: Buffalo (3-12) at Miami (10-5) Date: Sunday January 6th Place: Pro Player Stadium Time: 4:15pm Television: CBS Announcers: Don Criqui and Steve Tasker Spread: Miami by 6 1/2 Series: Dolphins Lead 46-28-1 (incl. 1-3 playoffs) Last Meeting: Dolphins 34-27 in Buffalo this year Fish Offense: Rush (26th); Pass (20th); overall (22nd) Fish Defense: Rush (18th); Pass (2nd); overall (T-5th) Bills Offense: Rush (16th); Pass (11th); overall (11th) Bills Defense: Rush (25th); Pass (15th); overall (23rd) Injury Update The Bills are hoping to get Pat Williams and possibly Travis Henry back this week. Both players will try to practice and if it goes well, they may play. Both players are listed as questionable. Expect Shawn Bryson to still see plenty of action even if Henry plays. Jerry Ostroski will miss the game with a bruised knee. Travares Tillman suffered a knee sprain last week and Chris Watson received a mild concussion. Tillman is listed as questionable and Watson will play. The Dolphins appear to be fairly healthy going in to this week's game with the Bills. Zach Thomas suffered a neck sprain last week against Atlanta while C Tim Ruddy suffered a knee sprain. WR James McKnight left last week's game with a concussion. They are all listed as questionable or probable and should play Sunday. For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page. Key Matchups LT John Fina vs. RE Jason Taylor: Fina played very well against Taylor in the first meeting between the two teams. Traditionally, Taylor has always got the better of Fina, so it will be interesting to see if Taylor bounces back this time. RB Shawn Bryson or Travis Henry vs. MLB Zach Thomas: The Bills are moving the ball very well at this time on the ground. They will face a great run stuffer in Thomas this week. RG Corey Hulsey vs. LT Tim Bowens: Bowens is a solid tackle who will try to stuff the run up the middle. It will be the right guard's job to stop him from getting that push in between the tackles. WR Chris Chambers vs. CB Nate Clements: Clements will probably get the task of stopping Chambers who killed the Bills in the fourth quarter of their earlier meeting. Look for the Bills to have a gameplan to stop the star rookie. RB Lamar Smith vs. MLB Brandon Spoon: Smith has struggled recently, Spoon's job will be to make sure he continues to struggle. That will make the Dolphins offense one dimensional. Game Plan When The Bills Have The Ball: Expect the Bills to continue their trend of running the football behind Henry, if he plays, and Bryson. The Dolphins have a vaunted pass defense so running the ball will be imperative to any chance at a victory. When The Dolphins Have The Ball: Miami's offense has struggled all year and they have not run the ball well at all in recent weeks. Expect Miami to attack the Bills through the air with short timing patterns. If that works it may open up their anemic running game. Bills Daily Prediction The Bills are playing their best football of the year, is it good enough to pull off a second straight upset? Probably not, Miami is a bit better than the Jets and a win can help their playoff positioning: Dolphins 17, Bills 7 Season Prediction Record: (8-7) Season Record Against The Spread: (8-7) Complete Statistical Matchup Game Analysis and Review - Coming Sunday Night! Positional Breakdown and Grades - Coming Sunday Night! 2001 Gameday Homepage 2000 Gameday Homepage Back to Bills Daily homepage Articles Index