Week 15: Bills vs. Dolphins
at
Sunday, Dec. 18th
1:00pm ET
How far this rivalry has fallen, this week will be a battle of the two bottom feeders of the AFC East. There is some potential intrigue but that doesn't even seem likely anymore. QB J.P. Losman was hoping to get his first start since he left Buffalo in 2008 but it now appears that starting QB Matt Moore will be ready to go. It will also be interesting to see how the Dolphins play in their first game under interim head coach Todd Bowles. Tony Sparano was fired on Monday. Bowles was his secondary coach and doesn't have much of a relationship with the offensive players.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (5-8) vs. Miami (4-9)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 705; Sirius: 104
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
Spread: Bills by 1
Series: Dolphins lead 54-36-1 (Bills 3-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Dolphins Won 1
Last Meeting: Dolphins 35-8 in Miami (2011)
Dolphins Offense: Rush (12th); Pass (25th); overall (24th)
Dolphins Defense: Rush (3rd); Pass (25th); overall (12th)
Bills Offense: Rush (11th); Pass (18th); overall (15th)
Bills Defense: Rush (25th); Pass (15th); overall (23rd)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills will likely be without Scott Chandler once again with an ankle injury. Aaron Williams has a good chance at returning after missing last week's game. Dave Rayner is battling a groin injury.

The Dolphins likely will not be without starting QB Matt Moore or Pro Bowl LT Jake Long. They both got hurt last week but are now back practicing and are expected to play. LB Koa Misi may miss the game 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. LB Jason Taylor:
The veteran Taylor has had an outstanding career and some of his best games have traditionally come against the Bills. Let's hope Pears does better with a new contract than Fitz has so far.

WR Stevie Johnson vs. CB Vontae Davis:
Johnson is looking for a big pay day at the end of the season and if he finishes up strong it will likely put more money in his pocket next year. Davis is as solid corner who will likely shadow Johnson.

CB Drayton Florence vs. WR Brandon Marshall:
The Bills will likely shadow Marshall with their best cover corner, Florence. If Marshall lines up against Aaron Williams or Leodis McKelvin he can have a huge game.

S George Wilson vs. QB Matt Moore:
The communication on defense is much better with Wilson in the game. He will try to get into Moore's head who is coming back from concussion-like symptoms.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Stop Bush: The Bills need to make Miami throw to beat them. That means stopping Reggie Bush who is coming off back to back 100 yard games for the first time in his career.
2. Rebuild Confidence In Fitz: The only way to that is have success on offense early in the game. Pass often against Miami's weak pass defense, that should setup the run.
3. Pressure The QB: They need to use a variety of blitzes to get pressure on the quarterback and disrupt the Miami offense.


BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

This game can go either way but the edge in intangibles goes to Miami. Teams traditionally play well the first week under an interim coach. Starting Moore coming back from a concussion may not be an edge, Losman would have been focused and fired up to face his former team. Still think Miami will be the more focused and game ready team:
Dolphins 16, Bills 13

Season Prediction Record: (4-9)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-9)

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