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DOLPHINS AT BILLS (IN TORONTO)
GAME FACTS
DATE: Sunday, Dec. 7
TIME: 4:05 p.m. ET
SITE: Rogers Centre; Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV: CBS
THE SERIES
SERIES RECORD: Miami leads 51-37-1 (including playoffs)
AT MIAMI: Dolphins lead 29-15-1
AT BUFFALO: Tied 22-22
LAST MEETING: 2008 at Miami; Dolphins 25, Bills 16
SERIES HIGHLIGHT: The Dolphins had lost four in a row against the Bills before they beat them earlier this season, but the previous victory was one to remember. It came on Dec. 4, 2005 when Chris Chambers set a franchise record with 238 receiving yards and caught a game-winning 4-yard touchdown pass to help the Dolphins rally from a 23-3 deficit for a 24-23 victory. Sage Rosenfels replaced an injured Gus Frerotte at quarterback that day, and threw for 272 yards in less than a half. Buffalo built a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on the strength of three touchdown catches by Lee Evans.
SERIES LOWLIGHT: The Dolphins have lost three playoff games to the Bills, but probably none was more disappointing than the 1992 AFC Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium. The Dolphins didn't give themselves much of a chance in this one, turning the ball over five times in a 29-10 loss. The defense couldn't stop the running back tandem of Thurman Thomas and Kenneth Davis, who combined for 279 yards from scrimmage.
SCOUTING REPORT
BUFFALO'S RECORD: 6-6
LAST GAME: Lost to San Francisco, 10-3
THE BUFFALO OFFENSE: The Bills offense, much like their entire team, started taking a major turn downward when they came down to Miami for the October meeting. Second-year quarterback Trent Edwards got off to a terrific start this season, but he struggled against the Dolphins and that began a major slump. He seemed to get out of it in the Week 12 victory at Kansas City, but struggled again last Sunday against the 49ers before leaving the game because of a groin injury. Edwards now is a question mark for Sunday's game, and one has to wonder just how effective he can be even if he does play. His backup, J.P. Losman, is a former first-round pick who has always been inconsistent and makes questionable decisions. Regardless of who plays quarterback, the Dolphins need to pay attention to wideout Lee Evans. He always has given the Dolphins a tough time. Running back Marshawn Lynch might be playing his best football of the season, too. His two 100-yard games have come in the last three games, including a 134-yard performance against San Francisco.
THE BUFFALO DEFENSE: Solid defense played a role in the Bills' quick start this season, but injuries - particularly in the secondary - have taken their toll. Through 12 games, the Bills find themselves in the middle of the pack in most defensive statistical categories. Interestingly, the team leader in sacks is defensive end Ryan Denney, who happens to be the brother of Dolphins long-snapper John Denney. The elder Denney has four sacks, including two last Sunday against Frisco. The team's best pass rusher actually is defensive end Aaron Schobel, but he has missed the last seven games because of a foot injury and likely will sit out again this Sunday. The team's leading tackler is linebacker Paul Posluszny, a former second-round pick from Penn State. In the Dolphins' victory over the Bills in late October, Ted Ginn Jr. caught seven passes for a career-high 175 yards, so one would expect the Buffalo defense to pay particular attention to him this time around.
THE BUFFALO SPECIAL TEAMS: The offense deserved a lot of the blame for the Bills' loss to the 49ers last Sunday, but punter Brian Moorman and kicker Rian Lindell also had a hand (should it be foot?) in it as well. That was unusual because Moorman is among the best punters in the game and Lindell is among the most reliable kickers. The Dolphins kept the Bills' kick returners in check in the first meeting, and will need to once again contain Roscoe Parrish on punt returns and rookie Leodis McKelvin on kickoffs.
LOOKING AHEAD
DEC. 14 - DOLPHINS VS. SAN FRANCISCO
The Dolphins return home for their last game at Dolphin Stadium this season against a 49ers team that is playing much better under interim coach Mike Singletary. The 49ers won't bring a lot of star power to South Florida, but one guy to watch is running back Frank Gore, the former University of Miami star who will be looking to shine in his first NFL game in his hometown.
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