Miami @ Buffalo preview
Highmark Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2013 ) Buffalo 23, Miami 21
After defeating the residents in the penthouse of the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins can secure their first postseason berth since 2008 when they visit the cellar-dwelling Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Miami claimed its third straight victory and fifth in seven outings with a 24-20 triumph over New England last week. The Dolphins are on the wrong end of a tiebreaker with Baltimore (8-6) for sixth place, but can secure a playoff berth with a victory this week and losses by the Ravens and Cincinnati (9-5).
Ryan Tannehill has been fueling the charge, tossing three touchdown passes for the second straight week while building a connection with offseason acquisition Mike Wallace. Tannehill also threw three touchdowns against Buffalo, but two interceptions proved costly en route to a 23-21 loss on Oct. 20. Miami native Thad Lewis replaced rookie EJ Manuel in that game - and will do the same on Sunday as the latter is nursing a left knee injury.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Dolphins -2.5. O/U: 42.5.
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (8-6): Tannehill is just 373 yards shy of becoming Miami's first quarterback to reach 4,000 yards in a season since Hall of Famer Dan Marino accomplished the feat in 1994. Tannehill has been sacked an NFL-high 51 times and faces a Buffalo team that leads the league by recording 49 sacks. Safety Michael Thomas made quite the impression on his new team, intercepting Tom Brady in the end zone with two seconds remaining to secure both the victory and AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
ABOUT THE BILLS (5-9): While Miami is eyeing a potential postseason berth, Buffalo is vying to complete its first season sweep of its AFC East rival since 2007. Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller paid dividends for Buffalo's fourth-ranked rushing game by combining for 147 yards on 30 carries in last week's 27-20 victory over Jacksonville. A heavy workload for the pair could take the pressure off Lewis, who threw for 202 yards to defeat Miami for his lone victory in four career NFL starts.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Buffalo DE Mario Williams beat Miami OT Tyson Clabo to record his team's only two sacks in the first meeting - with the last one resulting in a fumble.
2. The AFC East rivals are meeting for the 100th time.
3. Bills WR Stevie Johnson isn't expected to play as he continues to grieve for the loss of his mother. Rhonda Lewis passed away on Dec. 14 at 48.
PREDICTION: Bills 20, Dolphins 17