Bills vs. Dolphins Preview: AFC East Championship, Playoffs on Line
With the AFC East title on the line, the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football. The Bills would win the AFC East crown for the fourth-consecutive season and earn a playoff berth if they beat Miami. The Dolphins are looking for their first division title since 2008.
Buffalo earned its fourth straight win on Sunday and as it stands, the Bills hold the No. 2 seed in the AFC Wild Card. The Bills beat the New England Patriots on Sunday, 27-21, in a game quarterback Josh Allen described as the Bills getting lucky.
Miami had a chance to wrap up the division on Sunday but was dismantled in a 56-19 shellacking by the Baltimore Ravens, who wrapped up the AFC's top seed and the first-round bye that comes with it.
Tua and Josh Allen
Buffalo looks to get after Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who left Sunday's defeat with a left shoulder injury. He said after the game that his throwing shoulder was “good, just a little sore" and coach Mike McDaniel said he's not worried about Tagovailoa's availability.
The Bills are also faced with the challenge of slowing rookie running back De’Von Achane, who recently has shined, gaining 107 yards in Week 17. The Dolphins are the only team in the league averaging more than 30 points per game.
Allen and the Bills' offense looks to keep the positive momentum against the Dolphins. Buffalo has averaged 35.7 points against Miami in the past 10 regular season matchups.
Historically, Buffalo gets hot to end the season. Since 2020, the Bills have the best record in the league in December/January regular season games at an impressive 18-2.
FUN FACT: The last time the Bills and Dolphins battled for the division title on the final game of the season was is 1981.
FLASHBACK: Buffalo previously took a 48-20 decision from the Dolphins on Oct. 1 at Highmark Stadium.
RECORDS: Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)
ODDS: Buffalo is a 3.5-point favorite vs. the Dolphins
GAME TIME: Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 at 8:20 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Hardrock Stadium - Miami, FL
TV/RADIO: NBC, 98.5 FM THE SPORTS HUB
THE FINAL WORD:
“I obviously would love to have a home game in the playoffs,” Allen said. “Would love to get in the playoffs, so that’s first and foremost. [We’re] just doing whatever we can do to give ourselves a chance of getting in.”
