Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Expecting Bills’ best effort
To play or not to play?
That’s a question Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott is facing before the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday with a playoff berth already secured.
That also goes for Dolphins leading receiver DeVante Parker, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury.
As McDermott was coy Tuesday about whether his best players will play against Miami, Dolphins coach Brian Flores was adamant he’s preparing for the Bills to be at full strength.
“I expect them all to play,” Flores said Wednesday as the Dolphins’ practice week began. “That’s how we’re preparing.”
The Bills can afford to rest their starters, which include thirdyear quarterback Josh Allen, star receiver Stefon Diggs and top cornerback Tre’Davious White, among others.
Buffalo (12-3) holds the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture and owns the tiebreaker over the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3), who have already decided Ben Roethlisberger won’t play against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
If Buffalo beats Miami, it could keep the No. 2 seed, which would provide them with home-field advantage against Pittsburgh in the second round of the playoffs if both teams advance.
Both teams will not have to face No. 1 seed and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs until the AFC title game. The Chiefs will have the AFC’s only playoff bye in the opening round.
So, the Bills could either play the Dolphins at full strength to maintain their momentum, which helped them earn their first AFC East title since 1995 this season. Or, the Bills could decide being at optimal health for a playoff run is a better decision.
“Those conversations are taking place and we’ve got a plan on keeping those plans internal for a number of reasons,” Bills
coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday, one day after beating the New England Patriots, 38-9.
“We’ve got a plan and we’ll execute that plan this week. I’m going to keep that within our organization for a lot of reasons. We could sit here all day honestly and talk about pros and cons.”
The cons of a Dolphins loss would hinder Miami’s chances to reach the postseason for the third time since 2001.
If Miami loses at Buffalo on Sunday, it must depend on losses by the Browns, Baltimore Ravens (who visit the Cincinnati Bengals) or Indianapolis Colts (who host the Jacksonville Jaguars) to reach the playoffs. The Browns, Ravens and Colts are all favored to win their games.
“I’m aware that if we don’t win, we’ll need some help,” Dolphins center Ted Karras said, “but the main thing that I’m focusing on is going up there and kind of kicking the door in on the playoffs ourselves.”
The Dolphins (10-5) last made the playoffs in 2016 when they had an 11-5 record under former coach Adam Gase.
A 10-6 record wouldn’t be a sure thing based on the franchise’s history: Miami made the playoffs with that record under the late Tony Sparano in 2008 but failed to in 2003 under Dave Wannstedt.
The Dolphins were able to keep their playoff hopes alive after a thrilling 26-25 win on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders last Saturday.
It required veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who came on in relief of struggling rookie starter Tua Tagovailoa, to throw a downfield pass while his helmet was nearly ripped off to receiver Mack Hollins with 19 seconds left which put Miami in game-winning field goal position to secure the win.
Buffalo has also had Miami’s number during the past two seasons. The Dolphins have lost four consecutive games to Allen and the Bills, including a 31-28 loss in their first matchup this season on Sept. 20.
“We have a great challenge ahead of us. We have to prepare ourselves the best way I can,” Flores said of the Bills. “[We have to] go up to New York and play our best game of the season or try to. That’s what it’s going to take.”