Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins Game Preview

Sep 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter (2) looks at the goalposts prior to hitting the game winning field goal in the overtime period against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Buffalo won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills come into week 2 having upset the Chicago Bears, in Chicago with a late field goal in overtime.  The Miami Dolphins are coming in with a similar scenario upsetting division rivals the New England Patriots.  Both teams will be looking to take an early lead in the AFC East with a divisional win.

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The Miami Dolphins and their running game, led by Knowshon Moreno, who had 134 yards on 24 carries and a rushing TD are looking for a repeat performance this week.  Ryan Tannehill also add 178 yards in the air.  The defense for Miami was able to hold off a heavy passing attack by Tom Brady and the Patriots but will have to change gears and look for a run heavy attack by the Bills.

The Buffalo Bills, led by EJ Manuel and his 91.7 passer rating in week 1 will look to lead this team again and go 2-0 in the division.  The Bills had 193 yards on the ground in week 1 in a running back by committee atmosphere with Fred Jackson leading the way with 61 yards and Anthony Dixon coming in with 60 yards.  C.J. Spiller finished the game with 53 yards on 15 carries.

The Bills defense will have to dig into the trenches and limit the Dolphins as they allowed 427 total yards against the Bears.  The passing defense allowed Jay Cutler and company to throw for 341 yards.  They will need to tighten down the corners and tie up the loose ends.  Another 400 yard day may spell disaster.

The run defense looked strong as they only allowed 86 yards on the ground.  The biggest number that is a glaring deficiency is the 3rd down percentage.  The Buffalo Bills were only able to move the chains 33.3 percent of the time while on 3rd down.  The Dolphins were able to move the chains 53.8 percent of the time.  As for the defensive side of things, the Bills allowed a 41.7 percent completion rate on third down and the Dolphins allowed a 29.4 completion rate on third down.  The Bills will have to perform on 1st and 2nd down to limit their third down chances.  The numbers are not a favorable showing for the Bills.

Although, third down my not be favorable to the Bills, there is one stat that cannot be shown on the stat line.  This is Buffalo’s first home game of the year and with a new owner set and ready to go, as well as a pregame honoring of the late Ralph Wilson Jr., the Bills and fans are going to be ready to Rock The Ralph.