Last season, the Buffalo Bills brought up the rear in the AFC East with a 6-10 record, but a 31-14 victory in their most recent meeting with the Miami Dolphins should have them confident going into Sunday’s season opener.

Trailing 14-7 heading into the fourth, Buffalo rallied for 24 unanswered points to pull off the upset in Week 12 a season ago.

But Miami did finish ahead of Buffalo in the 2009 standings with a 7-9 record, and many believe the Dolphins are a playoff team now that they have added Brandon Marshall. Marshall is a big reason why NFL odds makers believe Miami will avenge its most recent loss to Buffalo, listing the Dolphins as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 38.5.

With the addition of Marshall, and the development of quarterback Chad Henne, expect to see a lot less of the Wildcat this season. The Dolphins would like to become a more potent offensive team, and they have taken a big step toward doing so by bringing in a talent like Marshall.

The running game will still be important to the success of the offense, and it is good news that Ronnie Brown is showing no effects of last season’s mid-foot fracture. With this being a contract year, he should be very motivated.

The Dolphins needed to improve their linebacker corps, and it appears they have done just that by adding Karlos Dansby. He was an animal for the Arizona Cardinals, and he should thrive in Mike Nolan’s gambling defense. I also expect big things from two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year Cameron Wake, who will see a lot more of the field now that Joey Porter is gone.

It is worth noting that the Dophins are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games against the AFC East. It is also worth noting that Miami is 5-1 against the spread in its last 6 road games.

I’m sure Trent Edwards remembers last season’s October 4 meeting with the Dolphins well. In that game, Miami sacked Edwards six times and picked him off on three occasions on its way to a 38-10 win. However, Edwards may be ready for a little revenge if his preseason performance is any indication.

In starting Buffalo’s first three preseason games, Edwards completed 65 percent of his passes for an 8.2 yards per pass average. Those are positive signs, considering he went only 2-6 as a starter in 2009, and Buffalo only managed 157.2 yards per game through the air.

Most of the buzz heading into the season has been centered on C.J. Spiller. Injuries to Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch put Spiller in the spotlight sooner than expected, and he did not disappoint. He averaged 4.7 yards per game carry and scored three touchdowns while playing with the first string offense.

Defensively, Buffalo has switched to a 3-4 scheme in hopes of improving its terrible run defense. The Bills allowed 156.3 yards per game on the ground last season (30th in the NFL). Former Pro Bowler Marcus Stroud has looked good after moving from a 4-3 tackle to a 3-4 end.  The Bills are counting on him to be a big time player for them this year.

It is certainly worth mentioning that the Bills are a perfect 5-0 against the spread in their last five season openers. They are also 5-1 against the number in their last six home contests with Miami. 

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