Week 13: Bills vs. Dolphins
at
Sunday, Dec. 4th
1:00pm ET
Stats Matchup
The Bills and Dolphins battle for sole possession of 2nd place in the AFC East. Both teams have struggled lately but Miami is coming off of a nice road win in Oakland. The Bills have lost four of their last five, which has all but dashed their playoff hopes. The Bills are looking for their first road win of the year and their fourth straight over Miami.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (4-7) vs. Miami (4-7)
Place: Dolphins Stadium
Television: CBS
Announcers: Don Criqui and Steve Beuerlein
Spread: Dolphins by 4
Series: Dolphins lead 49-33-1 (Bills 3-1 in playoffs)
Last Meeting: Bills 20-14 in Buffalo (Week 5)
Dolphins Off: Rush (t-13th); Pass (19th); overall (19th)
Dolphins Def: Rush (24th); Pass (14th); overall (19th)
Bills Offense: Rush (17th); Pass (29th); overall (30th)
Bills Defense: Rush (31st); Pass (5th); overall (18th)


INJURY UPDATE

Three starters missed last week's game against Carolina and their status is up in the air for this week's game as well. Sam Adams, Mark Campbell, and Terrence McGee remain hobbled. Adams has an ankle, knee, and behavioral problems that has limited his time on the field the past month. McGee has been bothered by a strained hamstring that hasn't gotten any better. Mark Campbell is also bothered by a hamstring injury. Lawyer Milloy and Mike Willliams got hurt against the Panthers and their status is also in question. Milloy has a foot injury but x-rays were negative. Williams has a strained muscle in his back.

The Dolphins will be without the heart of their linebacking corp. Junior Seau is on injured reserve with calf and an achilles injury. Zach Thomas is hoping to return to action this week. He has been out with a shoulder injury and a high ankle sprain but has been cleared by doctors to give it a go. WR Marty Booker left last week's game in Oakland after the first play. He will be re-evaluated this week as he has been slowed by a calf injury. OG Rex Hadnot is day to day with a knee sprain suffered against the Raiders.
Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

MLB London Fletcher vs. RB Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams:
Fletcher had his hands full with Brown in the first meeting. That was with Takeo Spikes while the Dolphins didn't have Williams. He is an absolute Bill killer. Fletcher has been a tackling machine the last three weeks. He needs to continue that success this week.

SS Lawyer Milloy or Coy Wire vs. TE Randy McMichael:
Milloy is banged up once again and may not play or at best, he won't be 100%. That is bad news since McMichael is a big weapon for the Dolphins. If Milloy is slowed or can't go, Wire may get some help from Jeff Posey.

RB Willis McGahee vs. LB Channing Crowder or Zach Thomas:
With Thomas possibly sidelined the Dolphins run defense may suffers. Crowder has taken over the tackling duties in the front seven since Thomas has been out. This could be a good chance for McGahee to get back on track. He has struggled mightily the last four games.

DB Terrence McGee or Jabari Greer vs. WR Chris Chambers:
Chambers is the Dolphins main offensive weapon in the passing game. If McGee can't go the Bills will need to give Greer some help with Troy Vincent. Like they did against Steve Smith last week or matchup Nate Clements on Chambers.

LT Mike Gandy vs. DE Jason Taylor:
Gandy will have his hands full with one of the best pass rushers in the game. Taylor leads the Dolphins with 8 sacks and has always been a terror against Buffalo and had two sacks in the first meeting.

WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Sam Madison:
Moulds is enjoying a nice resurgence and is definitely the go to guy once again. He has had great games in his career against Miami and always enjoys going against the veteran Madison.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: They have a chance to get the running game moving against a Miami team missing Seau and possibly Thomas. The Dolphins run defense has been slipping down the rankings all season long. Look for the Bills to try to establish the run to setup the deep passing game.

When The Dolphins Have The Ball: They will use their one-two punch of Williams and Brown to attack the defensive weakness. Miami will try to do what the Panthers did and pound the ball all game long. If the Bills play eight in the box to combat that, it could open up seams in the passing game for McMichael and Chambers.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills are a very poor team on the road, possibly the worst in the league. How they respond to a tough loss last week will go a long way in reversing their road fortunes. Miami may letdown a bit after getting a much needed win last week. I can't believe at this point in the season that Miami is a better team than Buffalo. Look for the Bills to play with enough pride to pull out a win:
Bills 24, Dolphins 20

Season Prediction Record: (7-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (5-5-1)

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