DOLPHINS GAMEDAY

KEYS TO THE GAME

Take a look at the five keys for the Miami Dolphins (0-5) to get a victory over the Buffalo Bills (4-1) during Sunday’s 1 p.m. road game:

Fitzpatrick’s offense must produce three touchdown drives

The Dolphins are averaging just 8.4 points per game. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is completing 55.7% of his passes and has thrown two touchdowns and four interceptions, needs to call the right protections, identify the proper hot routes to check his receivers into, and figure out a way to lead the Dolphins to three touchdown drives against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses. The Bills rank fourth in points allowed per game (14.0).

Stop Buffalo’s rushing attack

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has rushed for 158 yards and scored three touchdowns on 41 carries. But it’s Frank Gore, a likely future Hall of Famer, who will present the most problems considering he has a knack for making the most out of his running lanes. Gore is averaging 4.4 rushing yards per attempt, and the Bills are averaging 144 rushing yards per game. Miami’s run defense must do a better job of setting the edge, and keeping offensive linemen from reaching its linebackers.

Dolphins need to get 150 yards from their tailbacks

The NFL average for rushing yards per game is

112, and the league averages 4.4 yards per attempt. The Dolphins, who average 58.2 rushing yards per contest and 3.2 yards per attempt, have miles to go before they can catch up with the rest of the league. Miami needs to find ways to get Kenyan Drake, who leads the team in carries and receptions, into open space more.

Limit Allen’s passing game

Allen feasted on the Dolphins last season, and Miami needs to find a way to minimize the damage he does through the passing game by changing the coverages up on him, and keeping him guessing. Allen, who has a 75.2 passer rating, has thrown seven interceptions. Miami has only produced five sacks in five games.

O-line must have respectable game

The Dolphins’ offensive line has been one of the worst-performing units in the NFL. Only three teams have allowed more sacks than the Dolphins (23), who gave up five to the Redskins last Sunday. The Dolphins, who might be forced to play without starting center Daniel Kilgore (knee injury), need to get better play from the left side of the line, which has been responsible for seven of the unit’s 11 negative run plays.

STAFF PREDICTIONS Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 5-0, 3-2 against the spread): Bills 34, Dolphins 10

The Dolphins have lost six of their last seven games at Orchard Park, but … well, what does history have to do with this one? Buffalo has a great defense and I feel generous giving the Dolphins 10 points. And, as we’ve seen, when this Dolphins defense is left on the field too much it can get ugly in the second half. Which is what I see happening again here.

Omar Kelly, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 5-0, 3-2): Bills 21, Dolphins 17

While replacing Josh Rosen with Ryan Fitzpatrick should help the offense improve, the Dolphins have annually struggled in Buffalo and it’s hard to envision this being the season that changes. Frank Gore will rush for

100 yards against his former team and expect Buffalo’s stingy defense to tighten the screws on Miami’s emerging run game.

Safid Deen, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 5-0, 4-1): Bills 24, Dolphins 10

Ryan Fitzpatrick is back as the Dolphins starting quarterback, but Miami’s offense picks up where it left off the last time he was the starter. It will be Miami’s second road game of the season, but the Dolphins return to the site of last season’s finale, which marked the beginning of their extensive rebuilding process. Miami might not show much progress on the field, but move one step closer to landing the top pick.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 4-1, 3-2): Bills 23, Dolphins 10

Think Ryan Fitzpatrick starting at QB might give the Dolphins a boost? Probably. It’s still the Dolphins on the road against a Buffalo team that is giving up an average of 14 points per game — fourth in the NFL. What? You say all of the Bills’ wins have come against teams with losing records? Another perspective: The Bills’ lone loss was to the Patriots, 16-10. The Dolphins lost to the Patriots 43-0. Local alert: It could be a fun diversion to see what RB Devin “Motor” Singletary (American Heritage/FAU) looks like in his rookie season with the Bills. He had been dinged up but is expected to play.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 5-0, 4-1): Bills 30, Dolphins 9

The Bills (4-1), coming off a bye week, are off to their best start since 2011 and are 161⁄ 2- point favorites for good reason. Buffalo, which is likely headed to just its second playoff appearance in 20 years, has one of the league’s best defenses — led by former Dolphin Jordan Phillips, who is coming off a career-best three-sack game. The Bills haven’t allowed more than 17 points in a game all season. The Dolphins, who play seven of their final 11 games on the road, have been outscored 180-42 overall this season.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 4-1, 1-4): Bills 31, Dolphins 14

The Dolphins begin their road-heavy season finish (seven away games in the final 11) against the Bills and their two South Florida running backs (Frank Gore and Devin Singletary). Josh Rosen, who did a poor job getting the ball out quickly and accurately against the Redskins, will get to watch Fitzpatrick start.