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Week 5: Bills vs. Dolphins
Who would have thought when the season started, that the Bills would be facing the first place Miami Dolphins this week? The Bills limp back home after losing their third straight game in San Antonio against the Saints. They will try to spice things up with Kelly Holcomb getting the start at quaterback. Miami comes back fresh off a bye week and a half game lead in the AFC East. This was suppose to be a re-building year for Nick Saban's crew but they sit in the drivers seat as they head to Orchard Park to renew this storied rivalry.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (1-3) vs. Miami (2-1) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross |
| Spread: |
Bills by 3 |
| Series: |
Dolphins lead 49-32-1 |
| Last Meeting: |
Bills 42-32 in Miami (2004) |
| Dolphins Off: |
Rush (11th); Pass (19th); overall (20th) |
| Dolphins Def: |
Rush (3rd); Pass (19th); overall (8th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (9th); Pass (31st); overall (31st) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (31st); Pass (1st); overall (7th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The only apparent injury suffered against the Saints was to Ron Edwards. He is out for this game, and maybe much longer, with a shoulder injury. Takeo Spikes is out for the year with an Achilles tendon injury. Roscoe Parrish remains out after undergoing wrist surgery in the preseason although he was upgraded to doubtful this week. Tim Euhus is close to returning after missing the first quarter of the season with a pectoral muscle injury. Coy Wire missed last week's game with a thigh contusion and Mike Williams has missed two games with a sprained ankle. All three players are questionable.
The Dolphins have had a bye week to heal some bumps and bruises. They may be without Junior Seau who has a calf injury. He is the lone player on the injury report and is questionable. RB Ronnie Brown has been slowed by a hamstring strain but he should play as will DE Matt Roth who has an ankle injury but both players are ready to go.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
MLB London Fletcher vs. RB Ronnie Brown:
If the Bills are ever going to win again, they need to stop the run. Brown is a tough young back and he needs to be reeled in.
SS Lawyer Milloy vs. TE Randy McMichael:
Milloy seems to be past his thumb injury and he will need to be 100% for the matchup against McMichael. He is a key offensive weapon for the Dolphins.
RB Willis McGahee vs. MLB Zach Thomas:
McGahee needs to become the focal point of the offense. This will be a tough week for that to happen. Thomas is one of the main reasons why the Dolphins are number three in the league against the run.
DB Terrence McGee vs. WR Chris Chambers:
Besides McMichael, Chambers is the Dolphins main offensive weapon. McGee will need to be on top of his game to have some success against the Dolphins deep threat.
RT Mike Williams or Greg Jerman vs. DE Kevin Carter:
The Bills need Williams back to take on the Dolphins sack leader. Carter is a veteran that could take Jerman to school if he has to go.
QB Kelly Holcomb vs. Dolphins defense:
Holcomb is playing because he is experience should help him fend off the blitz happy Dolphins defense. If he can't do that, it will be the same old results.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: They need to pound the ball at the Dolphins and become the power running team they envisioned when the season starts. It won't be easy as Miami is strong against the run but the Bills need to wear them down and be relentless at running the football.
When The Dolphins Have The Ball: Look for them to do the same thing other teams have the past three weeks. They will try to beat the blitz happy Bills defense by doing misdirection, cutback runs with Brown. That should open up huge holes for the ground game.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
Nobody thought Miami would be in the position they are after three games, first place. Saban has the team believing and playing well. The Bills are in shambles and the QB change just shows how much chaos exists at One Bills Drive. They are grasping at straws in a desperate attempt to save the season. There seems to be no reason that a change to Holcomb will help them snap out of it this week:
Dolphins 19, Bills 14
Season Prediction Record: (2-2)
Season Record Against The Spread: (2-2)
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