3 KEY MATCHUPS
1. Jordan Phillips vs. Michael Deiter
Fresh off a three-sack performance, Phillips should be given opportunities against Miami's struggling left guard. He could have a repeat performance against an offensive line that's surrendered 23 sacks in five games.
2. Jordan Poyer vs. Mike Gesicki
Poyer usually draws tight end coverage assignments and he's got a tall drink of water to face this week in the 6-6, Gesicki. Sneaky down the seam and able to catch passes in traffic, Poyer will need to plaster against the second-year tight end.
3. Bills receivers vs. Dolphins DBs
Miami's secondary is a bit banged up with injuries and it's part of the reason they're giving up more yards per completion than any other defense in football. Buffalo's receiving corps needs to take advantage of the Dolphins deficiencies on the back end, which isn't helped any on the front end due to a lack of consistent pass rush.
2 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Quarterback quandary
Miami head coach Brian Flores last week committed to Josh Rosen as his starter for the remainder of the regular season. Then he benched Rosen for the fourth quarter of last Sunday's game against Washington and Ryan Fitzpatrick staged a comeback that almost won the Dolphins their first game of the season.
On Wednesday, Flores did a 180 and named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starter for Sunday's game against he Bills. He said there were a myriad of reasons, but it's a quick reversal after initially backing Rosen for the last 11 games of the season.
Defensive downfall
The Dolphins defense hasn't been any better than the offense. Ranked last in yards allowed and points allowed, Miami has been unable to keep opponents out of the end zone. They've given up 15 touchdowns on 20 opportunities inside their 20-yard line for a league-high touchdown rate of more than 71 percent.
On 50 percent of opponent possessions this season, Miami has surrendered points (28 out of 56) giving up 21 touchdowns and seven field goals.
Opposing quarterbacks have a combined passer rating of 131, which far and away is the highest opponent passer rating in the league for a defense. Quarterbacks are completing more than 70 percent of their passes against Miami (70.4) and are averaging 9.7 yards per attempt.
1 THINGS THAT COULD DECIDE THE GAME
Sustained offensive drives
Buffalo's offense is still developing their identity, but if they can keep the chains moving against the league's 30th ranked third down defense, it should go a long way into putting the Bills ahead on the scoreboard. The Dolphins send opponents three-and-out just 14 percent of the time, fourth-lowest in the NFL.
As the Bills prepare to play on the road against the Miami Dolphins, scroll through to view photos from previous matchups between the two opponents.
QB Jim Kelly
- All-time leader in franchise history with 35,467 regular season passing yards.
- All-time leader in franchise history with 237 passing touchdowns.
1988 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino talk after play in 1988.
September 16, 1990 | Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas (34) fends off Miami Dolphins cornerback J.B. Brown (37) on a long run during the second quarter of game in Miami's Joe Robbie Stadium.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed (83) faces Miami Dolphins linebacker David Griggs (92).
November 1, 1998 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie throws from the pocket against the Miami Dolphins during the eastern conference match-up. Flutie led the Bills to victory with three touchdown passes. Buffalo won 30-24.
October 20, 2002 | Buffalo Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds (80) grabs a pass. The Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 23 - 10.
December 17, 2006 | Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins. Lee Evans
December 9, 2007 | Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins. Roscoe Parrish
October 26, 2008 | Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins. Fred Jackson
December 7, 2008 | Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL game in Toronto. Spencer Johnson
November 29, 2009 | Bills vs. Dolphins. Marshawn Lynch
November 11, 2007 | Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins. Chris Kelsay
October 4, 2009 | Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins. Kyle Williams
September 12, 2010 | Bills vs. Dolphins | Fred Jackson
December 19, 2010 | Bills at Dolphins | Kyle Williams
December 18, 2011 | Bills vs. Dolphins | Stevie Johnson
November 15, 2012 | Bills vs. Dolphins. Kyle Williams
December 23, 2012 | Bills at Dolphins. C.J. Spiller
October 20, 2013 | Bills at Dolphins. Aaron Williams
December 22, 2013 | Bills vs. Dolphins. Lee Smith
September 14, 2014 | Bills vs. Dolphins. Fred Jackson
November 13, 2014 | Bills at Dolphins. Kyle Williams
November 8, 2015 | Bills vs. Dolphins. Eric Wood
October 23, 2016 | Bills at Dolphins. Lorenzo Alexander
October 23, 2016 | Bills at Dolphins. Shaq Lawson
October 23, 2016 | Bills at Dolphins. Dan Carpenter.
December 24, 2016 | The Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. Jerry Hughes.
December 17, 2017 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95)
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
December 17, 2017 | Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano (58)
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY.
December 17, 2017 | Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) at New Era Field.
December 31, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins in Miami. Kyle Williams touchdown.
December 31, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins in Miami. Kyle Williams touchdown celebration.
December 31, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins in Miami. Jordan Poyer interception.
December 31, 2017 | Buffalo Bills vs the Miami Dolphins in Miami. Jordan Poyer.
December 2, 2018 | Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scrambles for some of his 135 yards rushing against Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) at the Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins.
December 2, 2018 | Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins. Photo by Craig Melvin
December 2, 2018 | Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) interception Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins.
December 2, 2018 | Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) interception Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins.
December 30, 2018 | Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) with a strip sack of Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) at the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins game at New Era Field.
December 30, 2018 | Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Foster (16) touchdown -
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field.
December 30, 2018 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at New Era Field.
December 30, 2018 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during his 4th quarter catch and run at the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins game at New Era Field.
December 30, 2018 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) spikes the ball after a Buffalo touchdown. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins game at New Era Field.
December 30, 2018 | Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) leaves the playing field for the final time at the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins game.
October 20, 2019 | Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins. Micah Hyde touchdown.
October 20, 2019 | Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins. Jerry Hughes
October 20, 2019 | Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins. Josh Allen
UNDERCURRENTS
--Miami's top CB Xavien Howard is still working his way back from his latest knee injury. There is growing concern that with this being Howard's third knee injury in four years that his knee problems could become chronic.
--It's alarming the lack of takeaways that the Dolphins defense has been able to generate. Through five games, Miami has just two takeaways, one interception and one fumble recovery. It's tied for the lowest total this season with Jacksonville. And off those two turnovers, Miami has not scored any points.
--There's a new addition to Miami's offensive backfield. RB Mark Walton was inserted into the lineup this past week after he was picked up off waivers from Cincinnati and he did not disappoint. Working largely as a tandem with starter Kenyan Drake, Walter had six carries for 32 yards and five receptions for 43 yards. The second-year player has passed Kalen Ballage on the depth chart and figures to see even more time against the Bills this week.
--Miami starting C Daniel Kilgore is dealing with a knee injury and may not be ready in time for Sunday's game in Buffalo. He didn't practice Wednesday. If he can't go, RG Evan Boehm would slide into the pivot for the Dolphins.
--The Dolphins could be in the market for a return specialist. Their primary returner, Jakeem Grant, has been dealing with a hamstring injury and missed last week's game. WR Preston Williams handled punt returns and RB Kenyan Drake handled kick returns against Washington last Sunday.
