Miami @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 30, 2018 ) Miami 17, Buffalo 42

The Buffalo Bills return from a bye week and find themselves in unfamiliar territory heading into Sunday's home game against the winless Miami Dolphins. The Bills are favored by a staggering 17 points, a total that they haven't held over an underdog since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly led the team's high-octane offense in 1992.

"If you're focused on that, then you're focused on the wrong things," Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said. "We've got to focus on where we're at, where we need to improve and make sure we're ready to go on Sunday." Josh Allen authored the best performance of his young career with five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) in the Bills' 42-17 romp over Miami in the 2018 season finale. Buffalo will see a familiar face in veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who once again was named the Dolphins' starter after nearly rallying the team from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a 17-16 setback to Washington on Sunday. "Kind of came to that conclusion over the last couple of days. We felt like that was the best thing for this team," Miami rookie coach Brian Flores said of the 36-year-old Fitzpatrick, who spent four seasons with the Bills from 2009-12.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Bills -17. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-5): Running back Kenyan Drake reeled in a season-high six catches and recorded at least 70 scrimmage yards for the third straight game, good numbers to be certain and ones that could drive up his potential trade value. Multiple outlets reported that Miami has entered trade conversations with teams about the 25-year-old Drake, who is playing out the final year of his rookie contract. "I understand the business side of this," Drake said, per the Palm Beach Post. "With that being the case, with wherever we are, things may happen. People shift different teams. The thing is as I have played this game and seen it first-hand." DeVante Parker has recorded a touchdown reception in consecutive contests while fellow wideout Preston Williams ranks third among AFC rookies in receptions (17) and fifth in receiving yards (232).

ABOUT THE BILLS (4-1): The ageless Frank Gore's focus squarely is on exploiting Miami's 31st-ranked rush defense as opposed to taking pity on his former team. "I don't look at no record. It's an NFL team. I'm worrying about where I'm at now. It's Buffalo, man," said Gore, whose 15,081 career rush yards rank fourth all-time while his 18,914 scrimmage yards have him fifth in the pecking order. Wideout John Brown reeled in a team-high five receptions for 75 yards in the Bills' 14-7 road win over Tennessee on Oct. 6. The Bills' bread and butter is their defense, as they rank third in total yards allowed (275.0) and fourth in points allowed (14.0).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Buffalo has won six of the last seven meetings against Miami at Orchard Park, N.Y.

2. Dolphins S Reshad Jones, who had eight tackles last week, had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown in his last encounter versus the Bills.

3. Buffalo answered a 4-1 start to the 2011 season by losing eight of its last nine games.

PREDICTION: Bills 35, Dolphins 10