Empire Writes Back
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Buffalo Bills: Preview, Notes, and Predictions vs the Miami Dolphins

By John Carroll Jr.

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 10: Buffalo Bills players pose for a picture before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 10: Buffalo Bills players pose for a picture before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Playoff football is in the air as the Buffalo Bills are set to play their final home game of the 2017 season when they host the Miami Dolphins.

This game has huge playoff implications as the Buffalo Bills (7-6) currently sit pretty in the sixth seed in the AFC.

Miami (6-7)  is coming fresh off their prime-time upset win vs Tommy, Billy, and the New England Patriots.

The Dolphins, who are not mathematically eliminated, would love to play spoilers and help end the Bills’ playoff hopes.

This game is the game I have dubbed all week as “hit or miss.”

Both the Dolphins and the Bills have hit or miss games weekly.

We shouldn’t exactly know what to expect from either team.

The Dolphins did beat the Pats, but they also got blown out by the Ravens.

Buffalo beat the Falcons but dropped a dud against the Jets.

Both teams, however, are on the rise and coming off big wins.

The Bills do have a few advantages in this one.

It’ll be another really cold game. It will not be full whiteout conditions, but it will still be cold.

Dolphins QB Jay Cutler is not as good in the cold weather as he used to be.

The key for the Bills is to try to generate as many turnovers as possible. Cutler’s completion percentage is decent, but he has 11 interceptions.

Buffalo should use the weather to their advantage again. They should also heavily rush Jay Cutler.

The Bills come into this game relatively healthy. Tyrod Taylor‘s knee is better and he will get the start.

Cordy Glenn, however, is out. Nathan Peterman is also out with a concussion. Joe Webb will be on backup duty.

Kelvin Benjamin is listed as questionable.

Dolphins-Bills is always a slugfest and the games are hard-nosed. Last year the Dolphins ran wild on the Bills and swept Buffalo winning both games.

All-time the Dolphins are winning the near ancient rivalry 60-45-1.

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This will be Coach McDermott’s first game vs the Fins as the Bills’ coach.

Buffalo is wearing their blue on white uniforms to close out the year at home.

The Bills are the favorite in this one. The weather, the better record, and being the home team are all important things to note here.

LeSean McCoy‘s quest for 10K yards on the ground in his career is likely going to be accomplished on Sunday. He currently sits at 9,961. On Sunday, he will most likely get the yards he needs.

My prediction is that this one will surprise a few people and be relatively close.

The Bills might be able to contain Cutler but their run defense always seems to struggle.

Miami has a solid defense but they will have a tough time containing Tyrod Taylor.

My Prediction:

16. 59. 23. 16. Final

There is no reason to think the game won’t be close. It will be a tough matchup, but a close one.

Next: Why Zay Jones is incredibly fascinating

Next week, the Buffalo Bills travel to New England to try to get to the playoffs by winning in Foxborough.

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