Bills Dolphins Preview

Its the old Bills Dolphins rivalry, that no one care about anymore, especially those under the age of 25. The days of Kelly vs Marino are over. Now we have Chad Pennington vs Trent Edwards which still doesn't have any ring to it. The only thing interesting about the Dolphins is their crazy wildcat formation. Which is a gimmick and only can last so long before people just figure it out. This is such a big match up, I'll spend part of it at a Bridal show. That's right its time to think about a wedding and make contacts and decide on all this stuff. That is way more important then watching this potential for a disaster. Going to Miami always concerns me with the Bills, no matter how good they are. The crowd will be terrible. The team will think they can walk through and win this game. And they'll lose to the Dolphins and Bills fans will be in panic mode. So its best to miss some of it, so I can spare my stress level and just apply that to realizing the cost of a wedding.

The Dolphins.

Honestly I like when they are bad, there is nothing worse then a good Dolphins team. I want them to have 4 or 5 wins a year. Last year was almost perfect. Seeing them lose every game would have been awesome. Their offense isn't bad. They rank 10th in the league in total yards, 23rd in points per game. They can move the ball, but they can't always punch it in. So that looks good for the Bills defense. Still they can be dangerous and there is no more dangerous weapon then Ronnie Brown. Finally coming into his draft status, the 'Fins are looking to get him the ball any way possible. Or keep it out of Chad Pennington's hands.

Whats shocking is, you'd expect Ronnie Brown to have gaudy stats, not so fast my friend. Ronnie Brown only rushes for 60 yards a game. Ricky Williams gets 41 yards a game. They get a solid run game, but nothing you can't stop.

Chad Pennington is the model of consistency, a lot of people knock him, but I think he'll get the job done for you. He throws for 232 a game, almost a 70% completion rate and not too many mistakes. But his receiving corp isn't all star material. Greg Camarillo is the leading reciever with 27 catches and 1 td. So really man up the recievers and load up the box and make Chad beat you.

The defense is a little weak. They are led by Joey Porter and his 8.5 sacks, but other then him, its a no name and a work in progress defense. They are 21st in the league according to yards given up, and 18th in most points given up a game. The Bills look they can move the ball on this defense and with some injury issues on the line, and Jason Ferguson looks like he'll play, so that will help the Miami Defensive line. But the Bills handled a very good line last week. The cornerbacks look to be a problem so look for Trent to go after them.

Outlook

I think the Bills should win. They have the better team, the better QB and a chip on their shoulder. But if they slip up, here is a place they'd do it. Everyone saw Arizona coming. That and Trent getting hurt didn't help that one. And if bad things do happen, I'll be thinking about my wedding so its only good thoughts. Good thoughts.

Bills Dolphins Preview

Well here we go into the 13th game of the season with Bills sitting at 6-6 and the Dolphins at 0-12. This should be one of those winnable games. But this one makes me nervous. I don't know where the Bills head is at. Are they looking past the Dolphins for the Browns? (Don't think I've ever said that) The Bills should win this one, since they are at home. But who knows when the Dolphins just get breaks have the feeling they might win and take it. Stranger things have happened. And the Bills aren't talented enough to look past anyone, not even the winless Dolphins. I had this fear in Miami and they almost lost.

So the Dolphins

Well looks like the Cleo Lemon experiment is over, shucks, and they have moved on to John Beck, who struggled last week against the Jets. Well thats putting that mildly. He downright sucked hardcore. Giving up the ball 5 times himself. It will be a battle of the Rookie QB's at Ralph Wilson, with Trent Edwards having the much better year. But any QB on Miami would be having a rough year. The Dolphins are also having injury issues on top of every thing else. With WR Marty Booker (knee), RB Jesse Chatman (ankle), LB Channing Crowder (foot), DT Vonnie Holliday (ankle), CB Michael Lehan (groin), LB Joey Porter (shoulder), DE Matt Roth (groin), DT Keith Traylor (hamstring) all Questionable going into Sunday. Losing like this and being hurt has gotta make work suck. And they just placed one of the leaders on defense on IR, with Zach Thomas not being able to over concussions. This team is in rough shape, the only upside is they play in Miami. So when they wake up and look out the window, they can go ahhhhh, so nice. Then realize they play for the Dolphins and become depressed again.

Team Stat Matchup

Dolphins Offense 29th (total) 16.3 points a game, 281.5 yards per game and -8 turnover margin

Bills Offense 31th (total) 15.3 points a game, 274.8 yards per game and +3 turnover margin

Dolphins Defense 16th (total)26.4 points per game, 329 yards per game, 497 penalty yards

Bills Defense 30th (total) 22.8 points per game, 370.3 yards per game, 433 penalty yards

The Bills don't blow you away with stats and the defense is the definition of a bend but don't break defense. Plus the Bills protect the ball and are way more disciplined then years past. Its not easy to beat the Bills, well when you're not a good team. Good teams roll over this squad. But stats are always a mixed bag.

Interesting tip bit taken from Chris Brown's Tipsheet.

Mike Mularkey was calling the plays last week,

Although Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron won't confirm it, according to Trent Green and Cleo Lemon, tight ends coach Mike Mularkey was calling plays last week for the Dolphins offense against the Jets. It was the first time Cameron had someone else call the plays this season, though he maintains that he calls the plays. Regardless, the change in communication did little to alter Miami's fortunes against the Jets. Whether Mularkey will continue to call the plays this week remains to be seen.

Oh boy I hope so, we Bills fans know the genius that is Mike Mularkey, especially with an inexperienced QB starting for him. Probably perfect that Trent Edwards is in, and not JP Losman, who Mularkey might know his tendencies.

Outlook

Well though I have the fear and dread about this game. I feel with the return of Marshawn Lynch, this should only make the offense better. The team is looking towards the playoffs and knows they aren't good enough to half ass against Miami. The dolphins secondary is banged up, so Trent Edwards should have a good day throwing, especially if the Dolphins defense creeps up to stop Lynch. I just have some faith I guess. But I'll try to enjoy this one.

Ps

Worst Corporate generosity pun ever. A electrical company buys the rest of the tickets to prevent a "blackout" Ugh, even I couldn't come up with a worse pun then that.

Bills Dolphins Preview

Well the Bills Dolphins rivalry usually has more meaning to it. Bills fans love to hate the Dolphins but right now, they are just so pathetic that its really a game that no one but Bills fans in South Florida looks forward to. Anyone who thought, in week 9 that the Bills could possible be looking past an opponent at any point in this season, would be thought as crazy. But this week that is a possibility that the Bills could be so excited for the Patriots in prime time, that the 0-8 Dolphins could seem as a walk through for the recently resurgent Bills.

So whats up with the Dolphins?

The Dolphins are the definition of struggling. If Murphy's law had a logo it would be a Dolphin with a helmet on it. Major injuries and loss. Trent Green gets knocked out for the season but blocking too low, Chris Chambers gets traded, Ronnie Brown blows out a knee, and Zach Thomas gets hit by a drunk driver and is still out with whiplash. Ronnie Brown was a huge blow since he was the leading receiver and rusher. He was over a 1/3 of the offense. Cleo Lemon is still struggling on the year with a 58.4 completion percentage. There really isn't many positive aspects to the Dolphins other then they have only given up 14 sacks, which doesn't sound to bad.

What can the Bills do to win?

Don't turn over the ball, and run the ball. The Dolphins are being run over literally. With giving up 160 yards a game rushing. If the Bills just play like they have been playing and take a few deep shots I don't see any major issues. Lee Evans has a favorable matchup this week, and JP Losman loves playing against the Dolphins. For the Bills to win, they just have to keep playing like they have been for several weeks

A Trap Game?

I've been hearing some rumblings about this being a trap game with it being the winless dolphins and with all the hubbub over the Pats game moving to primetime. I just can't believe this team would fall for that. They know they aren't that good to look past anyone, especially a division opponent. This is a very important game if the Bills think they have any chance to fight for a playoff game. Plus I don't think Dick Jauron would let this team get ahead of itself.

Interesting Tidbit.

The Dolphins have been outscored 62 to 16 in the first quarter this year. The Bills must jump out quick and often, to put this out of reach early

Interesting fact taken from the Chris Brown Tipsheet .

J.P. Losman's career stats against the Dolphins are 37-63 (58.7%) for 507 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception and a 115 passer rating. He has thrown more touchdowns against the Dolphins than any other opponent.

Unfortunately we all remember that one pick.

An attempt to predict.

I see the Bills coming out and continuing their good play. The coaches really get this team up for games of late. I think they will be smart and run their horse Marshawn Lynch, and JP Losman feels like he still needs to show what he can do. So I like the Bills 24 -10