Mike Pouncey: “This is the biggest game of the year.”

The Miami Dolphins will play in their season home opener for the second straight season against an AFC East opponent on Sunday. In Week 1 of the 2014 season, Miami defeated the New England Patriots 33-20. This year, the Dolphins will begin their home schedule in the newly renovated Sun Life Stadium against the Buffalo Bills.

As both teams will be coming off Week 2 losses, this game is critical, considering this is a divisional game. No one knows the importance of this game more than Dolphins center Mike Pouncey.

“This is the biggest game of the year so far for us,” said Pouncey. “Divisional games are the ones that help you win the division, so we know these games are important. We are looking to play our best and we have yet to do that this season, so we are hoping to go out there and do our best.”

Buffalo will come into this game on Sunday defeating Miami four out of the last six times the two teams have played. In most of those Buffalo wins, the Dolphins looked overmatched at the point of attack.

Pouncey just believes that divisional games are more intense than other regular season games.

“These are rivalry games, division games, so they are a little bit more intense than any other regular season game,” said Pouncey.

Miami’s offensive line has struggled in their first two games of the season and they will go up against one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Buffalo ranked first in the league in sacks last season with 54.

Despite the early season struggles, Pouncey sees the potential in the Dolphins’ offensive line.

“We see it on film,” said Pouncey. We are really doing well and we are working together as five. For the most part, it is about building chemistry in the next few games and we will see where we are at after this game. I like the guys we have in this room.”

Other News and Notes from Thursday’s practice

Offensive tackle Branden Albert missed practice again on Thursday as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 30-year-old played limited snaps because of the injury.

Albert told reporters on Thursday that he believes the hamstring injury is related to the fact that he hasn’t played a full NFL game in 10 months. He has been slowly recovering from his ACL and MCL tear last November that put an end to Albert’s season.

“I haven’t played in 10 months and I’ve been practicing hard and playing hard, I just got to get healthy and help this team out,” said Albert.

If Albert cannot play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins will call on seven-year veteran Jason Fox to start in Albert’s place. Fox replaced Albert last week against the Jaguars and was ineffective.

While Albert did not practice on Thursday, Lamar Miller and Jordan Cameron were both on the practice field. Miller didn’t practice Wednesday as he was dealing with an ankle injury. Cameron has been limited by a groin injury and also did not practice on Wednesday.

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