South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Dolphins seeking bounce-back win
When the Dolphins run: In a demoralizing 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the run game was still one of few bright spots for Miami, even without Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert. Rookie De’Von Achane often found openings to go for 107 rushing yards on 14 carries, including a 45-yard burst. Achane was also effective last time against the Bills, and if he and Mostert are teamed up again, that would provide a boost to the No. 5 rushing offense. Another boon could come if right guard Robert Hunt is able to return from a hamstring injury that cost him seven of his past eight starts. Buffalo ranks No. 15 in run defense, giving up an average of 110.8 yards per game on the ground, but the Bills haven’t surrendered more than 103 since the start of December. Edge: Dolphins
When the Bills run: Buffalo’s ground game consists of both the traditional run and the ability of quarterback Josh Allen to make a play with his legs. Allen has 457 rushing yards and a whopping 15 touchdowns on the ground. Meanwhile, former Miami Central High standout James Cook, as the primary running back, has already notched a 1,000-yard rushing season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Latavius Murray spells him, but Ty Johnson got more carries in last week’s win over the New England Patriots. The Bills’ seventh-ranked rushing attack goes against Miami’s No. 7 run defense, with defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler going against an offensive line anchored by Mitch Morse at center. The Dolphins weren’t bad at containing Lamar Jackson’s running last week against the Ravens. The problem was, he didn’t need to run much as he threw for five touchdowns. Edge: Even
When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is bound to start all 17 regular-season games for the first time in his career. Leading the No. 1 passing offense, he tops the league in passing yards and completion percentage and has thrown 28 touchdowns to 12 interceptions going into the finale. He usually does have a tougher time against the Bills, though, 1-5 against them with five touchdowns and five interceptions. Granted, the one win was the last time he faced Buffalo at home. They face a secondary that has gotten good play from cornerback Rasul Douglas, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week, and always has the safety combination of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Buffalo also gets after the quarterback in waves, namely edge defenders Leonard Floyd, A.J. Epenesa and Greg Rousseau, plus the interior rush of Oliver.
Edge: Bills
When the Bills pass: Allen is the single most impactful player toward the outcome. He can win the Bills the game, and he can win the Dolphins the game. Allen’s play is the ultimate case of duality with his playmaking and proneness to turnovers. While throwing for 27 touchdowns, he also has 16 interceptions. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they usually get the better version of Allen, as he’s 9-2 against Miami in regular-season meetings with 31 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Diggs, while recording 1,096 yards and eight touchdowns, has been slowed since Buffalo made the move from Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator to Joe Brady. Gabe Davis has played a greater role, and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid can create problems.
Edge: Bills
Special teams: Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders continues to roll coming off his five field goals against Dallas, including three from 50-plus and a game-winner. He made two more field goals at Baltimore. Punter Jake Bailey was good in his chances, but the Dolphins also had a blunder in kickoff coverage, surrendering a big return to start the second half. It helped the Ravens keep momentum on their side. Edge: Dolphins
Intangibles: The Bills come in with the momentum of four consevutive wins and the feeling that they are still in the division race going into the final game after being three games back earlier in December. The Dolphins are coming off a crushing defeat and have a number of injuries, but they’ve also come back from every loss this season and haven’t allowed one loss to turn into two in a row. Edge: Even
PREDICTION: Dolphins 24, Bills 20