Two AFC East rivals meet on Thursday Night Football when the Buffalo Bills visit the Miami Dolphins to kick off Week 11. Both teams are coming off crushing losses, and they'll need to rebound just to stay within striking distance of the 7-2 New England Patriots in the division.
Bills vs. Dolphins 2014 picks and predictions: Miami expected to hold serve at home
The Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills with both teams trying to keep their playoff hopes strong.
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The Dolphins own a win over the Pats in Week 1, but they fell to Buffalo the first time these two teams played, 29-10, in Week 2. Miami is also trying to return to its winning ways after a last-minute 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 10, a game in which the team also lost Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert to a season-ending MCL and ACL tear. He was easily the Dolphins' best offensive lineman, not to mention Ryan Tannehill's blindside protector.
They've lost him at the worst possible time with a stout Bills defense on deck. The Bills are also coming off a close loss after the Kansas City Chiefs rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to win in Buffalo, 17-13. Both teams enter this game at 5-4, one game behind the the 5-3-1 Cincinnati Bengals for the final wild card spot in the AFC playoff picture. Another loss could derail their playoff hopes.
The Dolphins and Bills both feature suffocating pass defenses that thrive off of a devastating pass rush. The Bills lead the NFL with 34 sacks, and Miami is close behind at No. 4 with 28 sacks.
So, what are the experts saying about this game?
The CBS Sports panel was split with a 4-4 tie, and senior NFL columnist Pete Prisco seems to believe the two teams are evenly matched, picking Miami to win in a narrow, 24-22 game:
This is an elimination game of sorts. The loser will have a tough road to the postseason with six weeks to go. Both teams are 5-4 and coming off tough losses. Both teams have good defenses and good pass rushes. I think Miami will make some big plays on defense to win it.
However, the SB Nation staff mostly agreed on one team, and all but one expert is siding with the Dolphins:
| Week 10 | Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | PFT Commenter | Matt Ufford | OddsShark Computer |
| BUF vs MIA | MIA | MIA | BUF | MIA | MIA | MIA | MIA | MIA |
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