PREDICTIONS

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 12-5): Bills 30, Dolphins 16 The Dolphins have shown the ability to beat Buffalo, and a flawless game could do it again. But with so many health questions at key offensive positions, it’s hard to see them matching Josh Allen and the Bills’ highpowered offense. Figuring a late touchdown pushes it into the double-digit territory.

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (9-8): Bills 27, Dolphins 17

The overmatched Dolphins won’t get blown out and will give a good effort. But they just won’t have enough firepower to keep up with Buffalo. The Bills are the better team with the better quarterback, and they’re at home. It’s unlikely the Dolphins can pull off what would be one of the biggest playoff upsets in recent memory.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer (12-5): Bills 30, Dolphins 13

With Tua Tagovailoa being ruled out, the Dolphins don’t have much of a shot to pull off the huge upset. With Teddy Bridgewater behind center, they have a minimal shot. And with Skylar Thompson, they have no shot. Maybe more important to everything the Dolphins want to do offensively will be the availability of left tackle Terron Armstead. It doesn’t help that Raheem Mostert, who ran well last time in Buffalo, is unlikely to play. Red-zone stops and controlling the clock offensively will be key, but I don’t see Miami doing enough of either. The defense is going to have a tough time stopping Josh Allen, both with his arm and his legs. Everything points to a Bills blowout.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (12-5): Dolphins 27, Bills 24

Stranger things have happened. Look, at 13-3, the Bills are clearly consistently better than the 9-8 Dolphins and deserve the favorite status. Injuries to many key Dolphins players make it even more unlikely that Miami can prevail in oh-socold Buffalo. However, this Dolphins season has been full of surprises. Why not another?

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (11-6): Bills 27, Dolphins 13

The Dolphins, who are making their first playoff appearance since 2016, will be hard-pressed to win at Buffalo with a backup quarterback. The Dolphins had missed the playoffs in 18 of the previous 20 years before securing a postseason spot by beating the Jets in the season finale. Miami hasn’t won a playoff game in 22 years, dating back to a 23-17 overtime win against the Colts on Dec. 30, 2000. For the Dolphins to have any chance against the Bills, they will have to cut down on the penalties and get receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle more involved.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (11-6): Bills 28, Dolphins 13

Miami limps into Buffalo, where they had such a spirited effort less than a month ago, with major players either absent or significantly compromised. What is the Dolphins’ puncher’s chance? In the past 9 games, quarterback Josh Allen has fumbled the ball or thrown an interception 18 times (he had nine in his first 6 games) en route to 27 such plays in his 16-game season. If the defense scores at least one touchdown, Miami has that outside chance.