Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins: Three Keys To The Game

Three things to keep an eye on, as the Buffalo Bills take on the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium

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To call the Buffalo Bills’ performance in last week’s AFC East divisional matchup against the New England Patriots a disappointment would be an understatement. The Bills didn’t rise to the occasion until it was too late.

Now, they must put the past behind them and move on, because they have another AFC East matchup Sunday – the Miami Dolphins Buffalo will look to rebound when it travels to South Beach this weekend to take on the 1-1 Dolphins.

Here’s this week’s Three Keys to the Game for the matchup with the Dolphins, which kicks off Sunday at 4:25 p.m. from Sun Life Stadium:

1) A steady dose of the running game.

The Bills have a trio of talented running backs, which Greg Roman and Rex Ryan need to use to the best of their advantage. Even though Buffalo is third in the league in rushing, a lot of the success has to do with Tyrod Taylor running for 84 yards, which is good for 35th in the NFL.

Buffalo struggled to find a groove in the running game during Week 1 and completely abandoned it last week against the Patriots – they can’t do it again against the Dolphins. They have one of the best running backs in the league in LeSean McCoy, and considering he started to look like his old self against New England, Buffalo needs to get him going early and often.

With Taylor making his first road start of his career, he’ll need to rely on the running game as much as he can.

2) Sack Ryan Tannehill.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is considered the second-best quarterback in the AFC East, but when he plays Buffalo, the fourth-year signal caller struggles mightily. In his six games against the Bills, Tannehill has recorded career-lows in both passer rating and completion percentage.

Sep 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Manny Lawson (91) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Dolphins 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

After failing to disrupt Tom Brady last week, the Bills defense have to get back to form against Tannehill. Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes need to prove their worth.

With both left tackle Branden Albert and running back Lamar Miller possibly out of the lineup due to injury, the Cold Front should tee off. The last thing the Bills want is Tannehill to find a rhythm.

3) Limit the penalties.

Giving up 14 penalties in one game is WAY too many. And it can never happen again.

A false start or a holding penalty or two is one thing, but when they’re block in the back or holding penalties during the return game, they can be spirit-crushers, and at times can completely flip the field. The Bills must eliminate the stupid penalties before it costs them another game, and the best place to start is down in Miami.

Prediction: Bills win 27-14

The Week 1 Bills will show up and the defense will provide another dominant outing. With injuries mounting on offense, the Dolphins will struggle to get things going and Buffalo will take advantage.

Next: BuffaLowDown podcast: Going to Miami

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