By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills are coming off a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 10. However, the team has a great chance to rebound against its divisional rival, the Miami Dolphins.
The Bills beat the Dolphins at New Era Field only four weeks ago, with Buffalo storming back to score 22 points in the fourth quarter in a come-from-behind victory.
Even though their games are only separated by just about a month, quite a bit has changed for both teams.
Here are six storylines to follow Week 11’s Bills-Dolphins matchup:
Can the Bills score points?
There was much to be frustrated about last week for Buffalo. Even with a struggling offense, the team still had the ball in their hands with an opportunity to tie (or even win) the game on their final drive.
There was ample criticism with how the offense has struggled to take a major step forward this season, often relying on the defense to keep them close. There’s only so long that this defense can carry the load.
Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if offensive coordinator Brian Daboll can put together a more imaginative plan of action for the offense. The Bills are 25th in the league in scoring offense, averaging 19.3 points per game. This slots them as the lowest-scoring offense among prospective playoff teams. That’s not a promising sign for the Bills.
Can the Bills make Fitz go Fitz again?
Ryan Fitzpatrick had a fairly solid game against the Bills last month, going 23-of-35 for 282 yards and one touchdown pass. Their offense challenged the Bills all afternoon until the third quarter when Buffalo’s defense made their play of the game.
With the Dolphins driving inside Buffalo’s 10-yard line, Fitzpatrick threw a sideline route which was jumped by cornerback Tre’Davious White. This pick turned the tide, as prevented points on the board for Miami and stopped a 16-play drive cold in its tracks. That’s what FitzMagic is known for. Bringing you up, just to let you down a little with a turnover.
In three game since visiting Buffalo, Fitzpatrick has completed 64 percent of his passes for 647 yards with five touchdowns, three interceptions, with 42 rushing yards and a rushing score.
Can the Bills run the ball successfully again?
Calling Devin Singletary and Frank Gore.
The Bills played the 30th ranked rush defense last week, and their play-calling made them look like they were playing a top-10 run defense. Singletary carried the ball 20 times for 95 yards against the Redskins. The Bills brass believed the better option was to give him only eight carries last week, making the most of his attempts gaining 42 yards. Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said earlier this week that Singletary only had eight carries because the Browns were stacking the box on defense.
Gore has struggled in recent weeks, as it seems that defenses have keyed in on where his runs will take him. He has gained only 27 yards on his last 16 carries, which spans the last two games.
We know that the Bills don’t do well when Josh Allen throws more than 30 times a game. The Bills should probably not throw the gameplan back to the 1960s, but they should strike a better balance between their run and pass game in order to find success. Gore and Singletary will be essential to finding a win.
The tank is over?
The Miami Dolphins struggled for the first portion of the season, losing their first seven games and being outscored by 161 points. However, the team has found a bit of a rhythm with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm. The Dolphins have won their last two games, knocking off the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts in successive weeks to quell the whispers of tanking. The Dolphins, starting with their first game against the Bills this year, have also held a lead in their last four-straight games.
Miami’s defense has slowly improved over the season as well. They were smoked over the first four games of the season, giving up 163 points. During their past two victories, Miami has surrendered only 30 total points. The Dolphins forced a season-high three interceptions in last week’s victory.
Miami’s first-round picks across the board are dropping in value because of this. Their own pick is now No. 4 overall, while the Steelers pick they own is No. 18 and the Texans pick is No. 26. Both of those teams are hot, too.
How could this game impact the playoff picture?
Buffalo is entering the most challenging stretch of their schedule. This game, while not a must-win in the traditional sense, is a game that the Bills need to win.
Two of the teams whom the Bills are battling for a Wild Card spot, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, play two of the softest remaining schedules for the rest of the year.
Thus, a game such as this needs to be a win for Buffalo. They are favored by 6.5 points and despite their recent offensive struggles and Miami’s recent warm streak, the Bills are still the superior team. They have to put this game in the win column if the playoffs are a realistic option for the team.
As this game is against an AFC opponent, a victory will help with tiebreaker implications as well.
Will the Bills stop the run?
Buffalo’s interior defense has been gutted on the ground to start games. They have settled in, limiting the progress of running backs as the game has continued. Even so, for as dominant as this defense has looked, it still concerning that they have allowed teams to shred them early in games.
Yes, they have made some great plays. Now, it’s a matter of if the Bills do not take a beatdown against the running game in the first half. It won’t be surprising if Buffalo forces turnovers and limits points on the board. However, this is a part of their game that needs to be cleaned up.
This is a week where the Bills can fix this mess. Miami is last in the NFL in rushing, gaining only 64.4 yards per game on the ground. Current Miami No.1 running back Kalen Ballage is averaging only 2.1 yards per carry this year. The last time these two met, Mark Walton was the featured runner and did gain 66 yards on the ground against the Bills, but he’s currently suspended.