BILLS @ DOLPHINS
Thursday Night Primetime Football doesn't get much bigger than this! The (5-4) Miami Dolphins take on their AFC East division Rival the (5-4) Buffalo Bills in what shapes up to be a mini playoff game in Week 11. Both teams are coming off agonisingly close defeats last week and will be looking to showcase their much improved talents at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Thursday Night.
The Dolphins have been improving every week; a tough 16-20 loss last week to the Lions was a minor hiccup in what was a fantastic purple patch for QB Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins. Tannehill (pictured right) has had his best season to date tossing 15 TD's & only 7 Int's and throwing for 2,114 yards at a QB Rating of 89.8 through 11 rounds. The Dolphins defense, in particular the secondary, has been fantastic the past month with Cornerback Brent Grimes being a ball hawk for the Dolphins catching 5 interceptions on the season which has him ranked 2nd overall in the league for picking off opposing QB's. The Dolphins defensive line featuring star Defensive End Cam Wake has been just as good, Wake has 8.5 sacks on the season which has him ranked 7th in the league and also 3 forced fumbles.
The Bills have been a surprise packet so far this season, rookie Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins has been pivotal in the Bills (5-4) record to date, notching up 617yds & 5TD's at an average of 14.7 YDS a carry on 42 receptions so far this season. QB Kyle Orton who took the place of first round pick E.J. Manuel earlier this season has been more
than serviceable under centre so far, posting 10TD passes to only 3 Interceptions with a QB Rating of 98.4 and has been the main reason for Watkins boom month the last 4 weeks. Defensively, Marcell Dareus has been outstanding for the Bills, the Defensive Tackle has 10.0 sacks on the season which is good enough for the best at his position. He also has 1 forced fumble and will be looking to add to those stats this week against the Dolphins. Special mention to Mario Williams, the Bills Defensive End also features with 7 sacks and a forced fumble on the season to date.
This game I think comes down to who can pressure the QB the most. Both sides have two QB's playing a fairly high standard of Football at this point in time and each feature some in form players on both sides of the ball. Divisional games are never easy to tip but the pass-rush of Dareus and Williams could be enough to see the Bills pinch this one from the Dolphins. I'm going to go the upset and take the Bills to get a big away win and move a game ahead of the Dolphins.
BUFFALO by 3.
Tim Fernando