Week 7: Bills vs. Dolphins
at
Sunday, Oct. 20th
1:00pm ET
The Bills head to Miami for their first of three trips to Florida this season. They are looking for their first division win against a well-rested Dolphins squad that is coming off of their bye week and are playing their first division game of the year. The Bills are looking to break into the win column on the road.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (2-4) vs. Miami (3-2)
Place: Sun Life Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 710; Sirius: 128
Announcers: Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
Spread: Dolphins by 7½
Series: Dolphins lead 56-37-1 (Bills 3-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Dolphins Won 1
Last Meeting: Miami 24-10 in Miami (2012)
Dolphins Offense: Rush (29th); Pass (15th); overall (28th)
Dolphins Defense: Rush (15th); Pass (27th); overall (25th)
Bills Offense: Rush (3rd); Pass (28th); overall (16th)
Bills Defense: Rush (28th); Pass (22nd); overall (27th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are getting healthier at all positions except quarterback. EJ Manuel is currently sidelined with a LCL sprain and Thad Lewis is battling a minor foot sprain but he is practicing and will be ready to start. Stevie Johnson thinks he will be ready to return after missing last week's game with a lumbar strain. Stephon Gilmore continues to battle through while wearing a club on his surgically repaired wrist. Ron Brooks hopes to return this week, he has been sidelined with a broken foot. C.J. Spiller is battling through a sprained ankle and is playing through the injury.

The Dolphins are well rested coming off a bye and are healthier now as well. DE Cameron Wake has been limited in games and practice with a knee injury but should play. LB Dannell Ellerbe has missed practice time with a shoulder injury.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

RT Erik Pears vs. DE Cameron Wake:
Pears has struggled a bit in recent weeks and goes against a pass rushing machine. Wake has been battling a knee injury but should be able to go.

WR Stevie Johnson vs. CB Brent Grimes:
Johnson should be healthy enough to play but how effective will he be? They missed him in the slot in the loss to Cincinnati. The former Falcon Grimes is a solid seven year pro who should give Johnson an interesting battle.

DE Mario Williams vs. LT Jonathan Martin:
Williams is third in the league with 8 sacks and goes against the second year pro. The Bills should be able to get pressure on the QB and it starts with Super Mario.

LB Kiko Alonso vs. QB Ryan Tannehill and RB Lamar Miller:
Alonso leads the league in tackles and is tied for the league in sacks that could be bad news for Tannehill and Miller and the rest of the Miami struggling offense.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Pressure Tannehill: The Miami QB has been sacked a league high 24 times. Miami is on pace for an NFL record number of sacks allowed. The Bills should be able to make things tough for Tannehill.
2. Stop The Run: This is another doable goal for the Bills as Miami is on pace for a franchise low in rushing yards. If the Bills can stop the run and make Miami one dimensional, they may not put too many points on the board.
3. Learn To Win On The Road: This is something they have failed to do for a while now. They have lost 15 of their last 17 on the road including six straight and four of their last five in Miami. On the positive side, the Dolphins are not a very good home team in recent years.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills actually matchup well with Miami and should be able to do a lot of things defensively. The question is will they do enough offensively to win? Miami also has one of the weaker defenses the team has faced this year and the Bills are one of just two teams to have scored 20 points in every game this year. I think that streak comes to an end this week but the Bills should be able to stay in the game like they have every other game this year. Until they actually win on the road it is hard to pick them however I would not be shocked if they pull off the upset. I would be surprised if they don't keep it close:
Dolphins 16, Bills 13

Season Prediction Record: (4-2)
Season Record Against The Spread: (2-4)

Bills Blitz - Coming Late Sunday Afternoon!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Night!
Gameday Homepage