For the second time in under a month, the Buffalo Bills (6-3) will take on the Miami Dolphins (2-7) for their second face-off of the season. The Bills stole a 31-21 victory in the first game that featured an onside kick recovery for a touchdown by Micah Hyde. After a tragic loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Bills are looking to get their seventh win on the season and move to 7-3 for the first time since 1999.
The Dolphins are undefeated in the month of November, winning their last two games against the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to be the team’s man under center and he’ll take on a Buffalo defense that lit him up in the second half of the first game. Not to take anything away from how he performed in the first half, but the Fitzmagic disappeared once the pressure was turned on.
With this game being hosted in South Beach, the Bills find themselves on the road for a second consecutive week and we all know that playing in Miami is never easy. Josh Allen almost led a comeback victory against the Dolphins last season in Miami but came up just a yard short on the final drive of the fourth quarter. This is a scenario that Bills fans do not want to see again; hoping that they do not have to witness a comeback against the Dolphins.
What will be the key components to this game for a Bills victory? It comes down to two simple factors.
1.) Stop The Run, Contain Fitzpatrick
The Bills’ run defense has been exposed in multiple game this season and they show no sign of stopping the run. Let’s not forget, it is not just the running backs for the Dolphins who can move the chains. Fitzpatrick, the 36-year old quarterback can make plays with his legs just as well as he can through the air.
If the Dolphins are going to get on the board, it is going to have to be produced by their quarterback. The Bills defense needs to shutdown Miami early and lower their confidence.
2.) Offense Stays Consistent, Move The Chains
Brian Daboll has to be able to keep the Dolphins defense on uneasy edge and not be predictable. Allow Allen and his weapons to connect when necessary. Get Devin Singletary involved in both aspects of the offense and make the right calls in the right situations. Play calling has raised questions for the Bills’ offense, as they one of the lowest ranking units in the league.
Buffalo must move the chains every quarter and set themselves up into scoring position to keep them out of a hole they dug themselves into, the last game these two teams faced off.
Game Prediction:
In a low scoring outing, the Bills end up with the seventh victory of the season and manage the game rather than rack up the points.
Bills – 17
Dolphins – 14
-Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the Buffalo Bills. Make sure to follow Brandon on Twitter at @brandon_ray79 and follow @FPC_Bills for Bills coverage.
