Bills at Dolphins
THE STORY: A few weeks ago, a date with the Miami Dolphins looked like an easy win for the Buffalo Bills. But with the way the last two weeks have gone for both teams, the Bills are in for a fight. Buffalo has dropped into a tie for second place in the AFC with back-to-back blowout losses. In the midst of a three-game road trip, the Bills’ season suddenly looks ready to flame out quickly. They were at their worst last weekend, suffering a 44-7 loss at Dallas to fall to 1-3 on the road. The Dolphins have taken themselves out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes with two consecutive wins. Last week’s 20-9 win over the Washington Redskins snapped a seven-game home slide. Miami will be looking to make it two straight in front of the fans when it hosts Buffalo on Sunday.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Dolphins -1, O/U: 43.
ABOUT THE BILLS (5-4): Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for two touchdowns and five interceptions in the last two games, averaging a 49.3 QB rating after signing a six-year contract extension. Fred Jackson still leads the league in rushing but has not scored a touchdown in any of the last three games. The defense has not shown up either, allowing a total of 781 yards the last two weeks. Buffalo is now a game behind the New England Patriots in the East and a game behind Baltimore and Cincinnati for the AFC wild card spots.
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (2-7): After losing by a field goal in two straight games, Miami has finally figured out a way to get over the hump by playing strong defense and getting the ball to Reggie Bush. The former No. 2 overall pick has three touchdowns and 193 yards from scrimmage in the last two games. Much-maligned quarterback Matt Moore has thrown for 453 yards and three touchdowns in the two wins.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Bills receiver Steve Johnson missed practice on Wednesday with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Sunday.
2. Miami has not won three straight games since the 2008 season.
3. Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas leads all AFC rookies with 356 rushing yards.