Dolphins playoff chances; not until after the Bills game
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have a chance at the post-season. It’s not a great chance but it’s a chance. Whether this is a reality or not depends on what the Dolphins do in Buffalo this weekend.
Miami isn’t a great cold weather team and this weekend they can expect a cold reception but local weather forecasts have removed the chance of snow showers. After three days of expected snow in the Buffalo region, temperatures are expected to climb to 32 to 35 degrees with cloudy skies and only a 10% chance of precipitation.
For the Dolphins it’s good news but Miami may have benefited from having the offenses of both clubs grounded to a running game. Kenyan Drake has been fantastic the last two weeks and the Bills have struggled against the run. Defensively the Dolphins are getting better against the run.
Miami struggles in Buffalo. In the last five meeting between the clubs in Buffalo, the Bills have won four of five losing last year in overtime. Miami needs to win this game in order to keep any chance at a post-season birth alive.
For the Bills, Tyrod Taylor will be the quarterback if he is cleared to play which is expected. Nathan Peterman will likely be out. Miami needs to find a way to beat Taylor who seems to have Miami’s number.
Defense will be the key for the Dolphins as will field position. This game sets up evenly for both teams who have struggled throughout the year. It appeared that the Bills earlier this season would runaway with second place in the AFC East and potentially make the post-season as the sixth seed. They are currently tied with the Ravens for that last spot.
The Bills have struggled however lately but to teams who have winning records and are on pace for the post-season. They have lost to the Saints, Chargers, and Patriots but have beaten the Chiefs, and Colts. They also lost to the Jets six weeks ago.
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Miami on the other hand has won two in a row and both have been impressive wins. One against the flailing Broncos and last Monday nights win over the Patriots. Miami will need to continue that momentum.
Two key emerging players are Kenyan Drake and Xavien Howard who won AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his two interception game against the Patriots. Howard could play a big role in this weeks game but the Bills will likely try to target the corner who starts opposite him. Howard has had two stellar outing the last two weeks.
Offensively the Dolphins need the offensive line to provide lanes for Drake but more importantly time for Jay Cutler. The Bills defense can be a Jekyll and Hyde type as can their offense. Cutler needs to settle into his game and play at the same level he did on Monday night. He is used to the cold after playing a few years in Chicago.
If the Dolphins win on Sunday playoff talk will begin as two games will remain on the schedule and both will be tough. A trip to Kansas City where the Chiefs are hard to beat and another round against the Bills to close out the season.