Bills vs. Dolphins: 4 2nd Half Keys to Victory for Buffalo

I don't want to call this game a must-win for the Buffalo Bills.  

I don't want to, but there's really no way around it.  While the not-too-long-ago winless Miami Dolphins have been playing much better ball in recent weeks, the Bills have been scuffling, coming off their fourth loss in their last six games. 

Buffalo still finds itself on the fringes of the AFC playoff picture—a novelty for this fanbase, to be sure, but one that is slowly fading away.  

To say that the Bills haven't inspired confidence in first thirty minutes of this one would be an understatement.  Is there any hope for the limping Bills? Here are four things that may help: 

1. Red-Zone Offense 

This one's simple.  The Bills proved in the first half that they have the weapons and the wherewithal to drive the length of the field against this team, but they need to find a way to punch it in the end zone. As long as they don't revert to predictable play-calling, Buffalo should be able to find more success moving the ball.  

2. Mix Up the Play-Calling 

Look, I love Fred Jackson as much as the next guy (My fantasy team loves him too).  The problem is, running Jackson up the middle on first down time after time gets a little stale.  The Dolphins have more or less shut down the up-the-gut option, which has forced the Bills into 2nd-and-longs and 3rd-and-longs on every possession.

For goodness' sake, mix up the play-calling.  Whatever the Bills' game plan was, it's not working.  They should reach deep into the playbook and see if there are any tricks the Dolphins haven't seen yet.

If nothing else, experimenting in this way may be what the offense needs to pull itself out of the doldrums and take something positive into next week.

3. Slow It Down

Seeing that Chan Gailey's bunch is facing a large deficit, this may seem counterintuitive.  But oftentimes, in order to build the flow of momentum, you need to poke away at the floodgates before you can open them.

Buffalo must score on its first possession coming out of the locker room.  The best way to do that is by calling the same kind of screen plays and short throws that were working early.  String a couple of first downs together, then upgrade to more complex pass plays.  

Anything to keep Ryan Fitzpatrick from getting into his own head. 

4. Pressure Matt Moore

For the first several weeks of the season, Ryan Fitzpatrick was arguably the NFL's top feel-good story. The honeymoon appears to be over, and Matt Moore has done his part to steal what thunder he had.  

Moore has definitely grown into his role as Dolphins' starting quarterback, gaining more confidence with every snap.  It's going to be up to the Bills' defense to upset his timing without biting on his fakes.

He's already proven he can make the throws sitting back in the pocket.  Flush him out, and force him to pass on the run.  It may be Buffalo's only chance to turn the tide.