I've covered many, many Dolphins games.
I remember the playoff game against Baltimore in 2001, a 20-3 blowout.
I remember week 17 in 2008, where Chad Pennington beat the Jets to take the AFC East in a do or die game seven.
I remember last season where... well, you know.
But I'm finding it hard to remember a game with this much anticipation, and this much on the line, for the Miami Dolphins.
Over 70k tickets have been sold. 70,000. Sun Life Stadium hasn't been that full since the Marino years.
This is a primetime, national tv, Jim Nance and Phil Simms game.
This is the game where the Dolphins break out the all aqua uniforms for the first time in over a decade.
This is, in it's simplest form, the biggest, most important stage this team has been on in a long, long time.
With everything on the line.
To the keys:
1. Get back to what's been working: That's running the football. Yes, I realize you couldn't last week, I knew you wouldn't be able to. But did you see that Kansas City offense last week? Alex Smith ran the read option for a touchdown. Jamaal Charles ran for 98 yards and a touchdown. This Buffalo defense is good, but the run defense isn't Detroit Lions good. Run the ball tonight, and run it often.
2. Pass it, but pass it quickly: Quick slants, screen passes, five yard outs... anything to keep that front four from getting to you. Ryan Tannehill is beat up, and one big hit could send him to the locker room. IF you want this pass offense to work tonight, be creative about it, and be quick about it.
3. Earn the respect: All week you've heard about the Buffalo front four. Yes, they're fierce, and intimidating, and relentless. But guess what? So is the front four for the Miami Dolphins. You're at home, going against a QB who doesn't do well under pressure, with your backs against the wall. Go out and take back your respect.
4. Finish the job: I'm talking about red zone production. I'm talking about getting first downs when they count. I'm talking about making a defensive stand. This team has showed us they can blow teams out, but they have yet to show us they can win close games. I don't see a blowout tonight, and I wouldn't be surprised if this game is very similar to last week's. So what does that mean? Finishing, in all facets, will be beyond critical.
5. Harness the home crowd energy: As I said, this game, according to a report, is the most expensive Dolphins ticket in the past five years (NE and NYJ games aside). Sun Life Stadium will absolutely, without a doubt, be fired up from the get go tonight.... but it's Miami's job to take advantage of it, use it, and win with it. A slow start out of the gate will take any advantage you have and crush it. The Dolphins cannot afford to let this happen. Use the home field, and use it early. (For more on how important home field is, look at the picture above, which was taken just moments ago)
PREDICTION
Look, this isn't a good matchup for Miami, and it hasn't been for two years now.
The offensive line features a rookie LT, and an extremely suspect RT. The defense features a second year CB starting instead of Cortland Finnegan. The QB is banged up, the RB is banged up, and your best player is out for the year.
But they cannot lose tonight. Not at home, not under the lights, not with everything on the line. Sometimes a desperate team defies what all the match ups say should happen, and tonight, I see a desperate team fighting for their season, for their coach, and for the respect of the league.
I can't pick against that.
Final: Dolphins 20 Bills 17
Alright, come back in a few hours for last minute news, including your inactives for both teams.
THEN, follow the live blog throughout the game, beginning after the opening quarter.
Five hours.
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