Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
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 THING 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.