Coming off their shocking win over the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills had a hard day of practice as they prepare for their big game against the Miami Dolphins. The Bills enter their last game of the season with a record of 9-6. A win and a loss by either the Tennessee Titans or Kansas City Chiefs will punch their ticket to the playoffs for the first time since Season 8.
“If we don’t win, it’s not going to matter,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said of his team’s long-shot playoff hopes. “We need to focus on the task at hand.” The Dolphins, who have now missed the playoffs back to back, haven’t seemed very focused lately, losing seven of their past nine games.
In last week’s 7-17 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs, Dolphins coach Adam Gase and standout receiver Jarvis Landry engaged in a sideline shouting match.
Both, though, have since downplayed the encounter. “I wasn’t yelling at Adam,” Landry told The Miami Herald. “I was talking to Adam.” Gase seemed to indicate it was more than just talking, but he also said that such incidents are not uncommon. “It’s part of the game — it just happens,” Gase said. “It’s not the first time.”
The Bills, who are favored by three points, have played fairly well lately, winning three of their past five games. The only two losses during that span came against the Patriots, in week 13 and to the Chiefs in week 12.
Buffalo has five players on the injury list, including right end Jerry Hughes, who suffered an abdominal tear against these same Dolphins in week 15. Hughes had seven sacks in 8 games this season.
In addition, the Bills list starting guard John Miller as questionable — he has missed the past six games due to an ankle injury.
Miami has 8 players on their injury report, including six projected Opening Day starters. Two key players will be out for Sunday’s game, back up running back Damien Williams and starting running back Jay Ajayi. Both players are out with a shoulder tear.
The Dolphins offense, will be missing starting linemen Ted Larsen and original starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill — all due to injuries — Miami has struggled to score and to hold on to the ball.
If the Bills defense can get to the Dolphins early and LeSean McCoy continues to produce like he has the past two weeks, expect the Bills to come out on top.