With their sights on earning their first playoff spot since a 2008 Wildcard loss to Baltimore, the Dolphins (8-6) will make the trek up north to Buffalo in week 16, where forecasters are calling for 100% chance of precipitation and winds up to 20 mph at kickoff.
The Dolphins control their own playoff destiny. If they win their two remaining games then they will guarantee themselves at least a Wildcard spot. The Bills (5-9) are looking to put an end to Miami’s playoff wishes by playing the role of spoilers come Sunday.
If the Bills are going to pull off the upset, they will have to do so with a limited roster.
The Bills will be without starting quarterback EJ Manuel against Miami for the second time this season. Manuel re-aggravated his sprained left knee-the same knee he underwent surgery on in August-late in the game against Jacksonville. In his place-then and now-is Thad Lewis, who will be making the start against the team he grew up rooting for.
Buffalo will also be without starting safety Aaron Williams and starting wideout Stevie Johnson for Sunday’s tilt with the Dolphins. Williams will be sidelined with a rib injury sustained against the Jags and Johnson is mourning the loss of his mother, who passed away last week. Both Williams and Johnson did not practice at all this week.
In an October matchup with the Dolphins, Thad Lewis was able to lead the Bills to a narrow 23-21 victory. Lewis went 21-32 for 202 yards and did throw an interception, which wasn’t a costly one. The Bills D stole the show with a pick six by Nickell Robey early in the first quarter, and in the fourth quarter when Mario Williams had sacks to end consecutive Miami drives. The latter of the two sacks was a strip sack, which gave possession back to Buffalo.
Lewis got the ball back at Miami’s 34 yard line with 2:48 remaining in the fourth quarter which lead to the game winning field goal by Dan Carpenter. If the Bills defense (especially their pass rush) can remain this intimidating and continue to influence the outcomes of games, the Bills should be able to earn the W Sunday.
Miami will be playing in a cold weather, high precipitation game, which is outside of their sunshine-state comfort level. If Lewis can manage the game as he did in October, with minimal turnovers, and the Bills defense can make plays in a wet game, they should have no problem controlling this game from the onset.
I predict a 21-17 Buffalo victory in which Lewis throws for one touchdown and the Bills D produces two more scores.
