AFC East foes clash as Buffalo travels to Miami

Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Fla.,
Saturday, Jan. 2

AT A GLANCE: Division rivals square off in the wild-card round as Buffalo travels to Miami. The teams split two meetings this season, with each winning by six at home. Home-field advantage is vital to Miami, which is 7-1 at home.

There’s no place like home for the Dolphins, who have a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. They are defensive monsters at home but can play like meek scientists when they leave south Florida.

Fortunately for head coach Jimmy Johnson and his charges, the Dolphins will start their postseason journey in the familiar environs of Pro Player Stadium. Miami is 7-1 there this season, including a 13-7 win over Buffalo in Week Two. On the year, Miami allowed only 10.3 points per game at home, as opposed to 22.9 on the road.

That Dolphin win in Week Two came over a Bill team quarterbacked by young Rob Johnson. Soon after that game, Doug Flutie took over for an injured Johnson. The former Heisman Trophy winner proved to be a spark plug as he energized a Bill team that had started 0-3 and guided it into the playoffs.

Both Flutie and Dolphin QB Dan Marino are veterans who have the experience and ability to handle postseason pressure. However, both Buffalo and Miami will likely look to run first and control the clock. As this game wears on, their determination to do that may be tested, because both clubs have stifling run defenses.

WHEN THE BILLS HAVE THE BALL:

Buffalo’s offensive plan starts with the inside run. RB Antowain Smith has been successful as a physical runner this season, but he may have his work cut out for him vs. Miami. With OLG Ruben Brown (pectoral muscle; check status) questionable, the Bills could have trouble keeping Miami’s Daryl Gardener out of the backfield. Massive Jamie Nails will start if Brown can’t go.

Pro Bowl invitee Tim Bowens and Gardener, who some Dolphin insiders believe has had a better season than Bowens, are a formidable duo. Their primary responsibility is to occupy blockers and create havoc so that MLB Zach Thomas is free to make plays. Smith will have to find inside running room behind solid ORG Joe Panos and C Dusty Zeigler, who has played better in recent weeks. If Smith, who will be playing in his first playoff game, struggles, veteran Thurman Thomas could take on a more significant role.

A successful inside running game opens things up outside for Flutie, who is one of the better scramblers in the game. He may look to move to his left vs. Miami with DRE Jason Taylor sidelined by a broken clavicle. Taylor’s athleticism and pass-rush aptitude will be hard to replace, but Trace Armstrong and Lorenzo Bromell have played well as part-timers this year. The big question is whether they can hold their own vs. the run as Taylor could.

Because of the loss of Taylor, Miami could have some trouble generating a pass rush. If so, Flutie will have time to throw to WR Eric Moulds, a big, speedy target. Dolphin CB’s Sam Madison and Terrell Buckley have both played well this year. They like to play press coverage, but that could backfire vs. physical WR’s Moulds and Andre Reed.