KEYS TO THE GAME

Five things the Miami Dolphins (10-5) need to do to secure a victory on the road against the Buffalo Bills (12-3):

Keep Josh Allen in the pocket:

Allen uses his legs just as effectively as he uses his arm. He averages 6.7 carries per game and 4.2 yards per carry. And more importantly, 38 of his 100 carries this season have produced first downs. The Dolphins need to be ready for a steady diet of roll out, and read-option plays from Buffalo. Not having linebacker Elandon Roberts will place pressure on Jerome Baker and Kyle Van Noy to step up. Miami’s goal should be to cause confusion for the Bills offense.

Run the ball effectively: Myles Gaskin had his best NFL performance last week, gaining 87 rushing yards on 14 carries and turning five receptions into 92 yards and two touchdowns. The Bills are allowing 4.7 yards per carry, and 123 rushing yards per game, so the Dolphins need to stay committed to getting the ground game going because it sets up the passing game. Miami needs to get better play from the interior linemen in order to create a run surge against Ed Olivier and Vernon Butler.

Miami’s quarterbacks must be aggressive:

Tagovailoa will be Miami’s starter, and must make the most of Lynn Bowden Jr., Mike Gesicki, Isaiah Ford and Mack Hollins if DeVante Parker isn’t cleared to play because of his hamstring injury. But Miami’s playmakers have to do a better job lining up in the right spots and running the right routes to help the quarterbacks out.

Xavien Howard must shadow Stefon Diggs:

The last time these two teams played one another a rookie cornerback was defending Diggs, who caught eight passes for 159 yards and scored a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 2. This time around Byron Jones is healthy enough to play. Diggs has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers this season, catching 120 passes for 1,459 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. Buffalo’s playmakers should be easier to defend than in past weeks.

Win the turnover battle:

The Dolphins rank second in the NFL in turnover differential, plus-11. The Bills are at plus-2. Miami’s quarterbacks need to make sure they avoid throwing in Tre’Davious White’s direction considering he has a nose for the ball. On defense, the Dolphins need to play more zone to take away Buffalo’s crossing routes, which gave the Dolphins trouble earlier this season.