Built in Buffalo Roundtable: Predicting Bills-Dolphins round two

Built in Buffalo writers weigh in on the Bills’ Week 15 primetime game against the Dolphins

The Bills (10-3) take on the Dolphins (8-5) in Buffalo Saturday night looking to avenge Week 3’s divisional loss in Miami. One major difference from their first meeting is that the Bills will have a whole bunch of key players healthy and active for Saturday night who missed the Week 3 game, such as Jordan Poyer, Ed Oliver, Tre White, Mitch Morse, etc. This is a big game for both teams, and what makes it even more exciting for football fans is the weather that is rolling through Western New York right now. The Bills, winners of four in a row, are hoping to use their home field advantage to keep the ball rolling on a snowy, windy night. Enjoy our predictions below and let us know yours!

Matt Homan: Bills 32, Dolphins 12

Just as big as the divisional match that could clinch the AFC East for the Bills is the weather that the game will be played in. Snow and cold will be on the slate for Saturday night’s matchup versus the Dolphins and that’s the last thing Miami needs trying to end a two-game losing skid. The once MIGHTY Miami offense has now only scored 34 points in 10 quarters dating back to their week 12 game against the Texans. That won’t get it done against a hungry Bills defense that is now healthy and ready for revenge after the Dolphins beat the Bills in Week 3.
Both offenses will be forced to adapt to the cold and snow. Expect to see a heavy dose of Devin Singletary and James Cook early and often for Buffalo to open up intermediate passing plays to Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox. It’s been well-documented this week how poorly Tua Tagovailoa plays in the cold weather. The Dolphins have not been a good rushing team this season which might lead them to run shorter pass plays to their speedsters, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Bills Mafia will be rocking at Highmark Stadium Saturday night and I think the Bills roll, 32-12.

Kam Towle: Bills 21, Dolphins 13

A Week 15 Saturday night showdown in snowy Buffalo between division rivals . . . where else would you rather be? The Dolphins, having dropped their last two games, now come into an environment that will make it even more difficult for their offense to get back on track. Tagovailoa and the Dolphins lead the NFL in yards per pass attempt (8.9), but I’d expect that number to be almost cut in half tonight. A lot of their completions and yards after the catch are from anticipation and timing, which is harder to do when you’re losing your footing in the snow. The Dolphins run game hasn’t scared anyone this year and I think the Bills, with a healthier defense this time around, will be all over the Phins’ quick passing game. As for the Bills offense, pass catchers have had a recent history of dropping the ball in wet games off the hot hand of Allen. Cole Beasley being activated today would be a huge boost to help the Bills move the chains. One thing to watch for is the special teams battle in the snow, as the Dolphins are ranked dead last in the NFL in that department by PFF. I don’t think the Bills will run up the score but with a consistent ground game, and Allen making plays both with his arm and legs, I think they control the game for most of the night.

Ben Morningstar: Bills 24, Dolphins 16

The Bills stay home this weekend to take on Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins on Saturday night in what is expected to be a below freezing game with snow and wind in the forecast. I’m not sure if Tua and the Phins know what snow looks like but they’re about to find out. This is another game that is going to be a tough ground and pound game and I think the team with anbeast at QB and a vaunted and fully healthy defense is going to be the team coming away with the win. Tua has turned back into a pumpkin over the last two weeks and it will only get more difficult for him in the cold going against the Bills defense. Tonight in primetime, the Bills have a chance to pretty much put the clamps down on the division with a win. I think Allen uses his legs a lot tonight and the Bills cruise to victory. They’re the better team and they’re going to dominate. Give me Buffalo 24-16.