Dolphins-Bills: A Battle Of Dual Running Backs and Special Teams

The Miami Dolphins (7-5) head into Toronto to play the Bills (6-6) in a divisional game that is crucial for the Dolphins if they want a chance at making the playoffs this year.

The Bills are coming off of their fifth loss in the last six games. The Dolphins are coming off of their fifth win in the last six games.

Miami is currently one game behind the New York Jets (8-4), and tied with the New England Patriots (7-5) for second in the division. Hopefully, the Jets can lose to the San Francisco 49ers, and the Patriots to the Seattle Seahawks even though neither is very likely.

A big factor in this game will be how each teams dual running backs do against good rushing defenses.

Miami's two running backs, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, average 4.2 yards per carry combined. Buffalo's two running backs, Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson average 4.15 yards per carry. So, whichever running back tandem is more successful should be a huge indication of who will win the game.

Bills quarterback Trent Edwards is doubtful to play, so Miami needs to be ready for backup quarterback J.P. Losman to play. Losman is very sack-prone, so the Dolphins should blitz him frequently and force a sack or a turnover. In the short time Losman played last week, he was sacked three times.

The Bills were unable to make big plays without Edwards, and let's hope Miami's defense can keep it that way.

The Bills don't have a bad defense, so it definitely won't be a breeze for Chad Pennington complete passes, but Pennington will use his experience to find holes in the defense. I think this will be a big game for him because he knows it is a crucial divisional win.

Miami's special teams has been a big flaw this year. The Dolphins allow the highest return yard average in the NFL on kickoffs and the second highest on punts, which gives the other teams offense good field position. It is crucial that our special teams stops the Bills returners early and doesn't allow them to break free.

On the opposite side, the Bills kick returners have the highest kickoff return average in the NFL and the third highest punt return average. I see a problem here, and hopefully it doesn't cost the Dolphins the game.

Special teams has almost cost Miami the game before against easier teams. Let's hope the Dolphins' special teams can step up big this game.

My prediction:

Miami 21 - Bills 20

Joey porter gets another sack to regain his crown, and despite a Bills touchdown on special teams, Miami holds on.