Dolphins at Bills
THE STORY: It will be a fight to stay out of the AFC East basement Sunday as the Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins. The Bills will look to avoid their seventh straight loss against a Miami squad being led for the first time by interim head coach Todd Bowles. Bowles was given the interim position on Monday when Miami fired Tony Sparano, just a day after an embarrassing 26-10 loss to the underachieving Philadelphia Eagles. Bowles was an assistant and secondary coach. A once-promising season has disappeared for the Bills (4-1 start, 1-7 since), as they were officially eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday after a 37-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers. It is the 12th straight season Buffalo has failed to make the postseason.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Dolphins -1.5, O/U OFF
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (4-9): Miami will play out its season against AFC East rivals. After Buffalo, the Dolphins play in New England before closing out the season at home against the New York Jets. Injuries could make for a difficult end to the season. In Sunday’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pro Bowl tackle Jake Long fell to a back injury in the first quarter. Later, quarterback Matt Moore left the game with a possible concussion. If Moore is out Sunday, Miami will look to former Bills QB J.P. Losman. In relief last week, Losman was 6 of 10 for 60 yards. More alarming, he was sacked five times, showing the importance of Long’s presence on Miami’s offensive line.
ABOUT THE BILLS (5-8): Buffalo is playing the first of two home games before closing out the season on the road against the New England Patriots. In order to snap their losing streak, the Bills will need a little redemption over the Dolphins, who pummeled them 35-8 in Week 11. Buffalo was held without a touchdown. Avoiding turnovers will be essential. Last week against the Chargers, Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions. He has 16 on the season, including two in the first meeting with Miami.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Miami’s Jason Taylor recorded two sacks against the Eagles, moving his career total to 138.5, good for sixth all-time.
2. RB Reggie Bush had third 100-yard game of the season against Philadelphia. Before joining Miami this season, Bush had just one career 100-yard game.
3. Fitzpatrick set a career high against the Chargers, reaching 3,013 passing yards. Besides Buffalo legend Jim Kelly, he is the only Bills QB with consecutive 3,000-yard seasons.