Bills vs Dolphins NFL Handicapping
The Miami Dolphins were rolling along before dropping consecutive games leading into their break, and nearly got past Baltimore for a 4-1 start, but instead they’ve had a week to think about that disappointing loss, and will look to take their frustrations out on a banged up Buffalo Bills squad.
Buffalo Bills (2-4) at Miami Dolphins (3-2)
Date: Sunday, October 20, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Sun Life Stadium
City: Miami Gardens, Florida
O/U Odds: 42.5
Spread: Miami -7.5
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A 4-1 start to the season sure would have been a boon for a Dolphins squad that paid up in the offseason, loading their roster with talent via free agency, but the team couldn’t close the deal against Baltimore.
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The Dolphins had a chance to tie that came late when quarterback Ryan Tannehill hooked up with Brandon Gibson on a big gainer late in the fourth quarter, but Tannehill was sacked just a few plays later and rookie Caleb Sturgis missed a potential game-tying field goal, his first miss of the season, and the first of his career. Tannehill completed 21 of 40 passes for 307 yards and a score, without a turnover.
The Miami defense was susceptible to a typical Baltimore attack, as the Ravens ran the ball effectively and hit on big plays through the air. Joe Flacco hit on three long passes of at least 40 yards, with each of those passes leading to a score, and the Ravens ran for a season-high 133 yards. The biggest play from the unit came when safety Reshad Jones intercepted a Flacco pass and returned it 25 yards for a score. The defense used the week off to get healthy, with Cameron Wake and Dannell Ellerbe each nursing injuries. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Bills failed to complete a comeback win against the Bengals last Sunday, falling 27-24 in overtime, but they had to be happy with what they saw from quarterback Thad Lewis, who it appears will be able to carry the load until EJ Manuel is ready to return. Lewis was promoted from the practice squad just two weeks ago, and completed 19 of 32 passes for 216 yards and two scores, each in the fourth quarter, while rushing for another.
The Bills defense allowed Andy Dalton to throw for three touchdowns, but also came away with an interception in the red zone, and got the Bengals off the field while they were trying to run out the clock to allow the team to tie the game late. The team’s special teams has some work to do this week after struggling to container return man Brandon Tate, notably on a 29-yard punt return in overtime to set up Mike Nugent’s game-winning field goal.
Miami’s 3-2 record doesn’t tell the whole story, as the team was flying high entering their bye week, while Buffalo is ailing and in need of a bye week of their own. The extra prep time will be enough to get Miami back into the win column against an inferior Bills squad.
The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between these teams.
The play: Miami -7.5
