Buffalo Bills: Miami Dolphins Clash Now Has Extra Significance

With the loser set to fall to 1-2, the Buffalo Bills game against the Miami Dolphins now has added importance

The Buffalo Bills hardly ever need any additional motivation, when it comes to playing their hated rivals, the Miami Dolphins. However, due to events in the first two weeks of the 2015 campaign, their upcoming clash has now taken on extra significance.

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Yes, it’s still early in the season, but when you only have 16 games, every one counts. With the loser of Sunday’s clash set to drop to 1-2 in the AFC East, this is a fixture neither team can afford to lose.

The fact the New England Patriots and the surprising New York Jets both currently stand at 2-0 also adds into the equation. With the Pats playing the Jaguars, and the Jets at home to a struggling Eagles team, the loser of the Bills vs Dolphins clash could conceivably be two games behind after just three weeks.

You can also argue that Buffalo are in an even more desperate situation than Miami. Lose in Southern Florida, and they’ll be 0-2 within the division.

Now if all of this sounds like an attempt to elicit some panic in Western New York, I must apologize. In truth, I actually had the Bills starting the campaign 1-2 on their way to a 10-6 record, when I made my predictions for every game on their 2015 schedule.

Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

However, I must confess that I had Buffalo losing to the Colts rather than the Patriots in the opening two weeks. In retrospect, that was extremely naive on my part.

Regardless, what should we expect on Sunday, especially given that I previously stated the Bills would lose in Miami? Well, as brutal as the defeat by the Patriots was, there is a silver lining heading into the Dolphins game.

This hope comes from Miami’s own performance in their first two weeks of the season. Struggling to beat the Redskins and losing to the Jaguars has to offer some encouragement for their upcoming visitors.

Furthermore, there is absolutely no way the Bills defense will play as poorly as it did against New England. I expect a significant bounce-back game from what is still one of the best defensive units in the NFL.

Of course, Tyrod Taylor and company will have their own issues, dealing with Ndamukong Suh and the Miami defense. But if a Blake Bortles inspired effort can shred the Dolphins for nearly 400 yards, you have to have some faith with playmakers such as LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins and former Miami tight end Charles Clay.

Overall, I’m not prepared to make (another) prediction on the final outcome, other than I expect it to be a closely-contested affair. However, I reiterate my initial point that this is a game both teams desperately need – expect fireworks on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.

Next: Update on Aaron Williams injury

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