Week 8: Bills vs. Dolphins
at
Sunday, Oct. 26th
1:00pm ET
The Bills finally start their division portion of the schedule. It is very rare that a team doesn't play a division game until their seventh game of the season. The Bills look to keep things going in the right direction with a very important three game stretch. Miami is coming off back to back losses but they are much more formidable than most people thought they would be.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (5-1) vs. Miami (2-4)
Place: Pro Player Stadium
Television: CBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
Spread: Bills by 1½
Series: Dolphins lead 50-37-1 (Bills 3-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Bills Won 4
Last Meeting: Bills 38-17 in Buffalo (2007)
Dolphins Offense: Rush (17th); Pass (8th); overall (11th)
Dolphins Defense: Rush (12th); Pass (27th); overall (21st)
Bills Offense: Rush (23rd); Pass (13th); overall (17th)
Bills Defense: Rush (15th); Pass (8th); overall (10th)


INJURY UPDATE

John DiGiorgio is now out for the year after suffering a knee injury against San Diego. Brad Butler suffered a less serious knee injury against the Chargers but has a decent chance of playing this Sunday. Terrence McGee continues to be out with his knee injury but he has an outside chance at returning this week. Derek Fine remains sidelined with his thumb injury but he could be ready this week. Aaron Schobel missed the first game of his career last week with a foot injury and may be questionable again this week. Ashton Youboty dressed last week with his foot injury but did not play. He may need another week before really playing.

The Dolphins are pretty healthy. They may be without NT Jason Ferguson however. He suffered an injury to his ribs in their loss to the Ravens last Sunday. FB Casey Cramer missed last week's game with an ankle injury and may miss this week's game as well.
Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

LT Jason Peters vs. LB Joey Porter:
Peters will face perhaps his biggest test of the year as Porter rushes from the left side of the offense and has 8½ sacks. If he gets pressure on Porter it may slow down the passing attack.

KR Leodis McKelvin and PR Roscoe Parrish vs. Miami Coverage Units:
both teams have struggled in both kick and punt coverage but the Dolphins may have been a bit worse. McKelvin and Parrish can break one at anytime. If they can bring one to the house that could give them a big edge.

DT Marcus Stroud vs. RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams:
Brown and Williams have formed a formidable one-two punch. Stroud needs to clog up the middle to allow the rest of the defense to fly around and keep them in check.

CB Leodis McKelvin vs. WR Greg Camarillo:
In all likelihood McKelvin will be starting again at right cornerback. If he does he faces a tough matchup against Camarillo who leads the Dolphins in catches and yards. McKelvin gave up two touchdowns last week and needs to tighten up his game this week. There is a chance McGee or Ashton Youboty will be back to man the spot or they could put Donte Whitner there if McKelvin struggles again.

RBs Marshawn Lynch vs. LB Channing Crowder:
Lynch hasn't had much room to run this year and will have to watch out this week for Crowder who is very active at his position and makes a lot of tackles.

WR Lee Evans vs. CB Andre Goodman:
Evans has played very well and very consistent this year. He's also historically has had good games against Miami. Goodman is a veteran that knows Evans and can give him a bit of a battle.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills will probably try to use the pass to setup the run this week as the Miami defense is considerably weaker against the pass. They will likely use another quick release, short passing game to keep Porter at bay. The plan would allow them to open up lanes in the running game especially in the second half.

When The Dolphins Have The Ball: They have done very well through the air and will likely use the short passing game as well. Look for them to try and confuse the Bills a bit with their unusual formations while using both running backs in various positions.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills need to get off to a quick start as they begin the first of six division games over the last 10 weeks of the season. They have played well against Miami in recent years and have more talent than the Dolphins. Miami will play the Bills tough but in the end I think the Bills will pull this game out and I'm putting my undefeated season record on the line with it:
Bills 20, Dolphins 16

Season Prediction Record: (6-0)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-0)

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