Game day has arrived!
The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are a mere four hours away from kicking things off up in rainy, cold, windy upstate New York.
I can't remember a Dolphins team with this much riding on a game, and being this close to the playoffs.
Just think, folks. 12 hours from now your Miami Dolphins could have a guaranteed postseason spot.
They could also be eliminated.
To the preview, which, in the spirit of Christmas, will be the 12 things the Dolphins MUST do today to get a win. Enjoy.
1. Run run Rudolph (Daniel and Lamar). This is ESPECIALLY important today because of the weather. Remember that snow game in Pittsburgh two weeks ago? 181 rushing yards, 2 TD's. Best game of the year from an offensive standpoint. Get the run game going today.
2. Redemption for Tyson. Mario Williams made Tyson Clabo look like an absolute joke in the first meeting, and it was the difference in the game. Clabo has said this week he's eager to right the ship this time around, and he'll need to.
3. Get Clay back on track. Charles Clay was a focal point last week, and his one catch, albeit huge, was a direct result. Look for this duo to get back on track today.
4. Wrap up the present (CJ Spiller). He's fast, he's dynamic, he can change the game in the blink of an eye. Don't let poor tackling be the reason you miss the playoffs. Wrap him up.
5. Stay hot, Ryan. I'm worried about Ryan Tannehill for this game. The kid is FINALLY getting the attention he deserves, but I don't know if he can keep it up. Tannehill struggled with this defense the first time around. He MUST be a different QB today.
6. Avoid the abominable turnovers. After turning the ball over 18 times in their first 11 games, the Dolphins have just three giveaways in December. They're now plus 2 in turnovers this season, good for 4th best in the league. Hold the ball when you run, throw it to the guys in white, and you'll have success.
7. The defensive line MUST guide Miami's sleigh. Cam Wake and Olivier Vernon combined for ONLY one sack last week. That has to change today, especially with an inexperienced QB at the helm.
8. Start strong, finish stronger. This team came out of the gates flat last week, but they finished with a bang. While I don't condone this trend, finishing strong today will be HUGE. At the same time, it may not be necessary if they just start strong too.
9. Jingle ALL THE WAY. Miami is among the best in the NFL when it comes to scoring in the red zone, and, if you watched last week, you know how huge it is. The Dolphins went 2/3 inside the 20. New England went 1/4. See the difference? Don't stop at the 20, jingle ALL THE WAY to the end zone.
10. Dashing through the defense. One of the biggest differences for the Dolphins offense during this streak are the plays guys like Brian Hartline, Mike Wallace, and Charles Clay are making. Look at Wallace's TD last week, look at Clay's from two weeks ago. Continue breaking tackles, continue making big plays, continue winning.
11. Stay creative. Yeah, no pun here, just simple and to the point. Keep giving the ball to Mike Wallace out of the backfield, keep drawing up goal line plays like that thing of beauty to Daniel Thomas last week, and you'll have fun today.
12. BE MERRY. This team is having fun. They're bonding, gelling, and just having fun on the football. And it's showing every week, more and more. Don't stop today. Besides, it's the most wonderful time of the year! Have fun, win the game, and be merry!
PREDICTION
I've heard the term trap game all week long, and I agree. To an extent. However, I don't see it happening. Not to this team, with this coach, with this group of guys. They're focused, they know what's at stake, they know what's on the line. I don't see any emotional hangovers today, not when they're still so much left to be done.
Protect Tannehill, run the ball, and stop CJ Spiller. That's the recipe today.
Final: Dolphins 24 Bills 14
Game time is right around the corner, make sure to come back soon and check out any last minute news, including the inactives for the game.
Then, follow the live blog throughout the game, beginning after the first quarter.
GO FINS
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