Miami @ Buffalo Bills: Three Keys to the Game

The Buffalo Bills’ Week 15 tilt against the Miami Dolphins kicks off at 1 p.m. in Orchard Park.

With a win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills can keep pace in the AFC wild-card race.

The Buffalo Bills’ week 14 game against the Indianapolis Colts was one for the ages. Snow covered the ground in Buffalo which made it look like Hoth from a scene straight out of Star Wars. The good side prevailed, and Buffalo earned their story book ending. For that week at least.

Week 15 is a new monster, and it is against a Miami team that is coming off the biggest win of their season over the New England Patriots. Miami didn’t win in a last-second fashion. The Monday night showdown was a slaughter.

Can the Dolphins carry on their momentum vs. Buffalo this week, or will they still be celebrating their win?

You know the drill, each week during the regular season this column will provide the three ways the Bills can secure a victory. (I’m filling in this week for DJ Elerbe). So, without further ado, here are the Three Keys to the Game for the matchup against the Dolphins, which kicks off 1 p.m. Sunday at New Era Field.

Feed the Beast

LeSean McCoy ran the ball against Indianapolis, and then he ran it again, and again, and again.

It looked like he was playing in a snowy backyard like the old days, but he had aged fifteen years. His opponents might have not. LeSean McCoy ran the ball 32 times for 156 yards, and a touchdown on Sunday.

Miami’s run defense is currently 15th in the league.

The Dolphins’ defense has given up 1423 rush yards on the year, an average year for that defense.

LeSean McCoy is currently Pro Football Focus‘ 6th ranked running back with a season grade of 85.8.

Stay Healthy

The quarterback position seemed to have caught the injury bug in recent weeks. As well as the whole team.

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Last week, Nathan Peterman suffered a hit from Colts’ defender Antonio Morrison on a two-yard scramble which knocked him out of the game.

Tyrod Taylor is still recovering from an apparent knee injury, but Buffalo announced Taylor as their starter against the Miami sthis week.

Kelvin Benjamin has also been limited in practice this week, but there are hopes he may be able to play.

This from ESPN.com:

"“The Bills on Friday also placed left tackle Cordy Glenn on injured reserve with a lingering foot and ankle injury. Glenn has missed the past five games, and seven games total this season, because of the injury, which also caused him to miss part of training camp and the preseason.”"

If the Bills can get through this Divisional matchup with a win and without another injury; that would be considered a great success.

Stop Kenyan Drake

Miami has found themselves a hidden gem in Kenyan Drake. The Alabama alum runs the ball with a chip on his shoulder and is a dangerous weapon out of the backfield.

Drake, sitting behind talented ball-carriers for so long, runs angry like he has something to prove on every play. He has been a top-five running back in recent weeks, and looks to continue his campaign against the Buffalo Bills.

Kenyan Drake is Pro Football Focus’ 22nd ranked running back with a season grade of 78.1.

Next: Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts: Risers and Fallers

Prediction: Bills 17-13

It may be another snowy one in Buffalo this week which will cause another low-scoring game. Look for both teams to run the ball as much as they can.