BY SEAN DONOVAN
In the first meeting in November, Buffalo's defense stymied Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill en route to a 19-14 Bills victory. That defense has struggled since, most recently allowing 50 points to the Seattle Seahawks last week. Meanwhile, Miami hopes to hang on to miniscule playoff odds and doom Buffalo to a last-place finish in the AFC East for the fifth straight season.
Pass protection. Both the Bills' and Dolphins' defenses have had success pressuring the quarterback this year. The team that does the best job of mitigating that pressure and keeping their respective turnover-prone quarterback clean will have the best chance of winning.
Feed Spiller. With Fred Jackson gone, C.J. Spiller is the Bills' lead back. The Dolphins will have their hands full, as Spiller is averaging 7.1 yards every time he touches the ball. Containing Buffalo's star tailback will be crucial, though Bills coach Chang Gailey has done a pretty good job of that himself.
Impact of the run. Tannehill's success with play-action and rollouts depends completely on the Dolphins' ability to run the ball. With Daniel Thomas out, Miami will rely on Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller to set up the rest of the offense. (photo: June Rivera, Flickr)
Win the turnover margin. Tannehill can still be baited into rookie mistakes, and Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown the sixth-most interceptions of any player this season. A positive turnover ratio will spell victory.
Pass protection. Both the Bills' and Dolphins' defenses have had success pressuring the quarterback this year. The team that does the best job of mitigating that pressure and keeping their respective turnover-prone quarterback clean will have the best chance of winning.
Impact of the run. Tannehill's success with play-action and rollouts depends completely on the Dolphins' ability to run the ball. With Daniel Thomas out, Miami will rely on Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller to set up the rest of the offense. (photo: June Rivera, Flickr)
Win the turnover margin. Tannehill can still be baited into rookie mistakes, and Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown the sixth-most interceptions of any player this season. A positive turnover ratio will spell victory.
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A week in Dolphins and Bills posts at AFCEastDaily.com:
Week 16 AFC East game picks: Bills at Dolphins
Sherman: Tannehill's 'psyche' is 'the beauty of Ryan'
Two schools of thought interpreting Bills' new lease
McKelvin IRed after stellar punt return campaign
Around-the-Web AFC East power rankings: Week 16
With Thomas out, Miller gets chance to earn his keep
Wood says Toronto Series is a 'joke' and it 'sucked'
Bills extend would-be free agent guard Kraig Urbik
In Bess's absence, Dolphins' Fasano gets extra work
Pete Carroll feels bad for running fake punt vs. Bills
Dolphins' new quarterback upends their old one
Toront-no: Bills finish above-the-border series 1-4
Sherman: Tannehill's 'psyche' is 'the beauty of Ryan'
Two schools of thought interpreting Bills' new lease
McKelvin IRed after stellar punt return campaign
Around-the-Web AFC East power rankings: Week 16
With Thomas out, Miller gets chance to earn his keep
Wood says Toronto Series is a 'joke' and it 'sucked'
Bills extend would-be free agent guard Kraig Urbik
In Bess's absence, Dolphins' Fasano gets extra work
Pete Carroll feels bad for running fake punt vs. Bills
Dolphins' new quarterback upends their old one
Toront-no: Bills finish above-the-border series 1-4
