MDS's take: The Bills still have a shot at the playoffs, and they should be able to pull out a win against a Dolphins team with nothing to play for.
MDS's pick: Bills 24, Dolphins 16.
Florio's take: The Dolphins get a chance to close out the season by spoiling Buffalo's shot at ending an 18-year playoff drought.
Florio's pick: Dolphins 27, Bills 20.
The Bills are a TEAM OF DESTINY.
BUFFALO BILLS (8-7) over Miami Dolphins (6-9)
The Bills need a win in order to get into the postseason. Unfortunately, they have to head to South Beach in order to get it. That's not an easy thing to do this late in the year.
Just as the Bills have a big home-field advantage during the cold depths of winter, the Miami Dolphins get an advantage by forcing teams to come play in the heat and humidity. That could take a toll on a Bills team that has played in the Northeast in the past four weeks.
I like what I've been seeing from Miami's defense lately too. It did a good job against the Kansas City Chiefs for most of last week, though the final score made the game look worse for the Dolphins than it really was. I believe Miami will be able to shut down LeSean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor enough to play spoiler this week.
Expect to see one more good game from Jay Cutler in Miami, and expect to see a Buffalo loss open the door for the Chargers in the postseason.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Bills 21
The Bills still have a faint pulse for a playoff spot. They can find ways to win, whereas the Dolphins are a mystery — here one week, gone the next. Take Buffalo on the road.
Bills 27, Dolphins 21
The Dolphins have looked largely lethargic for the stretch to close out the season and have not been remotely impressive. Why would they start now? The Bills are playing for their playoff lives and have to win, most likely, to get into the postseason. They need some help but they will take care of their end this weekend
The Pick: Bills
The Bills still have a chance to make the playoffs, so they will be playing hard here. The Dolphins are playing for pride. I think the added pressure will get to the Bills. The loose Dolphins pull off the upset as the Bills are playing consecutive road games.
Dolphins 20, Bills 17
The Bills will be glad to leave more than 3 feet of snow to head to South Florida, but only if they manage to beat the Dolphins and get into the postseason for the first time this century. To do so, though, they need the Ravens to lose or both the Titans and Chargers to lose.
Prediction: Bills, 23-19
The Bills on several occasions this season have looked good enough to return to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Their inconsistency, however, with a limited passing offense and a horrible run defense sets them up to limp to elimination at .500. The Dolphins have been a better home team this season and will run Kenyan Drake often to steal a field-goal fest.
PICK: Dolphins win 23-20.
