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The team has two games to go, and while they may not have anything to play for in terms of this season, final impressions can be made throughout each of the final weeks.
The Bills will also look to do something that they haven't done since head coach Chan Gailey arrived to Orchard Park. They're in search for their second AFC East win in one season, and they have two chances to do it.
Their first opportunity is Sunday on the road against the Miami Dolphins -- a team that they've claimed a victory over earlier in the season. Let's take a look at some key components to the matchup:
1) Playing for Jobs
- Spoiler alert: This will be the first thing listed next week, too. When you look up and down the team's roster, there is some finality as to who will be a part of the team next year. However, there is also a heaping amount of positions that have legitimate questions regarding what the team will do next season. It all starts with the head coach. Will Chan Gailey have his team prepared enough to take on an improving Miami team? Simply put, they were not prepared for the Seahawks and that reflects poorly on him. I don't believe his fate is sealed just yet. How the Bills perform over each of the last two weeks will have a direct impact in to the team's decision on their head coach. If they show no sign of life over the next two weeks, Gailey could be done in Buffalo. If they win both games, he's borderline assured to be back. Gailey isn't the only one playing for his job, the other high profile name is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He's had to fight for his NFL life all through his career, but now he has to fight to hang on to a starting job. Is it even possible? Well, if he has a huge game that shows accuracy that we haven't seen this season, it could buy him some more time. The Bills will likely draft a quarterback this April, but Fitzpatrick could finagle his way in to still being on the roster with a pair of good games.
2) Spiller-Heavy
The Miami Dolphins won't be seeing anything different when it comes to the Bills' backfield situation. C.J. Spiller handled the load of carries for the team during their Thursday night victory, gaining 91 yards on 22 carries versus a very good Miami front-seven. Spiller will once again be the feature of the Bills offense against the Dolphins. Like the last matchup between the two squads, Spiller likely won't have his typical yards-per-carry average that has made him such a dynamic runner. You'll see a fair amount of low yardage carries, but if the Bills stick with it long enough, he could bust a big run. Whatever the case may be, Spiller should be the featured piece on offense for Buffalo.
3) Tannehill solving turnover woes
- It's been an up and down season for Ryan Tannehill. In recent weeks though, Tannehill has been starting to feel more and more comfortable in the NFL's version of the West Coast Offense. Over the past three games Tannehill has thrown three touchdowns, which isn't a lot by any means, but he has cut down on the interceptions that has ruined some key opportunities for Miami. Over that three game span, Tannehill hasn't thrown an interception. Before his no-interception streak, Tannehill's previous three games saw him throw six interceptions -- half of his total interceptions for the season. He's solid at throwing under pressure, but hasn't really taken over any games for Miami just yet. The encouraging sign, though, is not killing his team with a crucial turnover.
4) Wake on the warpath
- It's going to be a long day for whomever draws the assignment of Miami defensive end Cameron Wake. The talented pass rusher had three sacks against a very solid San Francisco 49ers line just two weeks ago and has 14 total sacks on the season. He only brought down Ryan Fitzpatrick one time in the team's first meeting, but Wake was in the backfield much more than his sack total. With the recent poor play of left tackle Cordy Glenn and Sam Young on the right side, who struggles with speed rushers, Wake could have a huge impact in this game.
5) Converting on chances
- Last time around, the Bills offense could not stay on the field. Their lone touchdown came on an early punt return from Leodis McKelvin. The rest of the way, the Bills sputtered on offense and failed to convert on any of their four chances in Miami territory. They settled for four field goals and allowed the Dolphins to stay in a game that, by all accounts, they should have been dominating based on the way the defense was playing. Their third down conversions were woeful as well, picking up a first down just twice on 12 chances. It almost goes without saying, but the Bills have to find away to turn this trend around.
Injuries
Buffalo
OUT: WR Marcus Easley (hamstring), DE Mark Anderson (knee), LB Chris White (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: C Eric Wood (knee)
PROBABLE: DT Marcell Dareus (knee), DE Mario Williams (wrist), HB C.J. Spiller (shoulder), CB Justin Rogers (foot), S Jairus Byrd (foot), LB Nick Barnett (knee), G Andy Levitre (knee), TE Scott Chandler (foot), CB Aaron Williams (knee), DT Kyle Williams (ankle), TE Lee Smith (back)
Miami
OUT: WR Davone Bess (back), K Dan Carpenter (right groin), LB Koa Misi (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Randy Starks (not injury related), WR Brian Hartline (back), CB Nolan Carroll (knee), TE Jeron Mastrud (hamstring)
PROBABLE: S Chris Clemons (neck), DE Derrick Shelby (groin), WR Armon Binns (ankle), LB Karlos Dansby (biceps), S Jimmy Wilson (hip)
Prediction: Dolphins over Bills
- With how Seattle exposed the Bills defense once again last week, Buffalo will have to prove themselves against a team that they did fairly well against last time around. One of the biggest factors of this game will be how Buffalo deals with Cameron Wake. If they can't keep him at bay, Ryan Fitzpatrick will struggle to get the passing game going. This game has the makings of being yet another low-scoring, close contest. Except this time around, I think it will be Miami coming out on top.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
- Spoiler alert: This will be the first thing listed next week, too. When you look up and down the team's roster, there is some finality as to who will be a part of the team next year. However, there is also a heaping amount of positions that have legitimate questions regarding what the team will do next season. It all starts with the head coach. Will Chan Gailey have his team prepared enough to take on an improving Miami team? Simply put, they were not prepared for the Seahawks and that reflects poorly on him. I don't believe his fate is sealed just yet. How the Bills perform over each of the last two weeks will have a direct impact in to the team's decision on their head coach. If they show no sign of life over the next two weeks, Gailey could be done in Buffalo. If they win both games, he's borderline assured to be back. Gailey isn't the only one playing for his job, the other high profile name is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He's had to fight for his NFL life all through his career, but now he has to fight to hang on to a starting job. Is it even possible? Well, if he has a huge game that shows accuracy that we haven't seen this season, it could buy him some more time. The Bills will likely draft a quarterback this April, but Fitzpatrick could finagle his way in to still being on the roster with a pair of good games.
2) Spiller-Heavy
The Miami Dolphins won't be seeing anything different when it comes to the Bills' backfield situation. C.J. Spiller handled the load of carries for the team during their Thursday night victory, gaining 91 yards on 22 carries versus a very good Miami front-seven. Spiller will once again be the feature of the Bills offense against the Dolphins. Like the last matchup between the two squads, Spiller likely won't have his typical yards-per-carry average that has made him such a dynamic runner. You'll see a fair amount of low yardage carries, but if the Bills stick with it long enough, he could bust a big run. Whatever the case may be, Spiller should be the featured piece on offense for Buffalo.
3) Tannehill solving turnover woes
- It's been an up and down season for Ryan Tannehill. In recent weeks though, Tannehill has been starting to feel more and more comfortable in the NFL's version of the West Coast Offense. Over the past three games Tannehill has thrown three touchdowns, which isn't a lot by any means, but he has cut down on the interceptions that has ruined some key opportunities for Miami. Over that three game span, Tannehill hasn't thrown an interception. Before his no-interception streak, Tannehill's previous three games saw him throw six interceptions -- half of his total interceptions for the season. He's solid at throwing under pressure, but hasn't really taken over any games for Miami just yet. The encouraging sign, though, is not killing his team with a crucial turnover.
4) Wake on the warpath
- It's going to be a long day for whomever draws the assignment of Miami defensive end Cameron Wake. The talented pass rusher had three sacks against a very solid San Francisco 49ers line just two weeks ago and has 14 total sacks on the season. He only brought down Ryan Fitzpatrick one time in the team's first meeting, but Wake was in the backfield much more than his sack total. With the recent poor play of left tackle Cordy Glenn and Sam Young on the right side, who struggles with speed rushers, Wake could have a huge impact in this game.
5) Converting on chances
- Last time around, the Bills offense could not stay on the field. Their lone touchdown came on an early punt return from Leodis McKelvin. The rest of the way, the Bills sputtered on offense and failed to convert on any of their four chances in Miami territory. They settled for four field goals and allowed the Dolphins to stay in a game that, by all accounts, they should have been dominating based on the way the defense was playing. Their third down conversions were woeful as well, picking up a first down just twice on 12 chances. It almost goes without saying, but the Bills have to find away to turn this trend around.
Injuries
Buffalo
OUT: WR Marcus Easley (hamstring), DE Mark Anderson (knee), LB Chris White (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: C Eric Wood (knee)
PROBABLE: DT Marcell Dareus (knee), DE Mario Williams (wrist), HB C.J. Spiller (shoulder), CB Justin Rogers (foot), S Jairus Byrd (foot), LB Nick Barnett (knee), G Andy Levitre (knee), TE Scott Chandler (foot), CB Aaron Williams (knee), DT Kyle Williams (ankle), TE Lee Smith (back)
Miami
OUT: WR Davone Bess (back), K Dan Carpenter (right groin), LB Koa Misi (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Randy Starks (not injury related), WR Brian Hartline (back), CB Nolan Carroll (knee), TE Jeron Mastrud (hamstring)
PROBABLE: S Chris Clemons (neck), DE Derrick Shelby (groin), WR Armon Binns (ankle), LB Karlos Dansby (biceps), S Jimmy Wilson (hip)
Prediction: Dolphins over Bills
- With how Seattle exposed the Bills defense once again last week, Buffalo will have to prove themselves against a team that they did fairly well against last time around. One of the biggest factors of this game will be how Buffalo deals with Cameron Wake. If they can't keep him at bay, Ryan Fitzpatrick will struggle to get the passing game going. This game has the makings of being yet another low-scoring, close contest. Except this time around, I think it will be Miami coming out on top.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia