Who has the edge? Dolphins at Bills, the dominant divisional foe

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (2-5) and Buffalo Bills (6-2) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 game at Highmark Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):

When the Dolphins run: The past three games for Miami: 193, 188 and 150 rushing yards. It’s something that is now a consistent strength from a yardage standpoint, but the Dolphins could still stand to improve situationally on the ground. While De’Von Achane had 97 yards on 10 carries with a long of 47 in last Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals, the question becomes if coach Mike McDaniel will turn to rookie Jaylen Wright (two carries, 18 yards) more over veteran Raheem Mostert (nine carries, 19 yards). Wright has consistently made the most of his limited opportunities, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt, compared to 3.5 for Mostert.

Miami’s ninth-ranked rushing offense, behind an offensive line that has been effective blocking downhill, goes against a Bills run defense ranked 15th. Linebacker Dorian Williams has been very active, leading the team with 72 tackles in eight games as middle linebacker Terrel Bernard has missed time. The defensive tackle combination of Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones is always formidable and presents a challenge for the interior of the offensive line. Edge: Dolphins

When the Bills run: It’s been a struggle at times this season for the Dolphins to stop the run. But the run defense, even without defensive tackle Zach Sieler, was better against Arizona running back James Conner, who was held to 53 yards on 20 carries. But again, situationally, at the end of the game, Miami was gashed several times on the ground during the five-minute drive that saw the Cardinals run out the clock for the winning field goal as time expired.

Although not so last Sunday, the Dolphins have been plagued by giving up the big run on the ground. It was true the first time they met the Bills, against running back James Cook. The former Miami Central High standout is averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season, behind the likes of center Connor McGovern and second-year guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Quarterback Josh Allen is also a known threat to scramble who has carved up the Dolphins in his career. Edge: Bills

When the Dolphins pass: It’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s second game back after missing four recovering from his last concussion. He was mostly sharp passing the ball, going 28 of 38 for 234 yards and a touchdown to Achane, but he also had a costly mishandled snap that sent momentum in the Cardinals’ favor. Tagovailoa will have to face an opponent that has haunted him, as he’s 1-7 in his career against the Bills with a 74.1 passer rating, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has also been injured in four different games against Buffalo.

It won’t be any surprise what the Bills and their No. 13 pass defense will do against wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Their revamped, younger secondary under coach Sean McDermott will keep playing two high safeties, and they can switch up coverages off that look from Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp. Taron Johnson is always a valued asset for them as the nickel cornerback, as Miami has not been able to get a third wide receiver going this season, be it Odell Beckham Jr. or anyone else.

Dolphins tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson will have their hands full with Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and Von Miller rushing Tagovailoa on the edge, but the Miami quarterback is accustomed to making quick decisions in the pocket. Edge: Bills

When the Bills pass: The old arch-nemesis: Allen has a 110 passer rating in his 13 regular-season matchups with the Dolphins. By now, you know what he’s capable of. He’s 11-2 with 34 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He barely had to throw in their first meeting, but was efficient on 19 pass attempts. Here’s the worst part for the Dolphins. Allen is now doing a better job of protecting the football after previously being known as turnover prone.

He only has one interception this season, as the Dolphins secondary will look to change that. If Miami is without cornerback Kader Kohou (neck) again, it could put the unit in a predicament, bumping Cam Smith up into playing time with Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller the top two cornerbacks. The Bills added Amari Cooper two weeks ago, to give Allen another playmaker with fellow wide receivers Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman, along with tight end Dalton Kincaid. The tight end (Trey McBride) killed the Dolphins against Arizona.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has been blitz-happy with Ramsey, and it didn’t work to corral speedy, shifty Kyler Murray last Sunday, with the bigger Allen difficult to bring down in a different way. Miami will surely have a tough time getting to Allen with a banged-up edge-rushing corps and left tackle Dion Dawkins protecting the quarterback’s blind side. Edge: Bills

Special teams: Can the Dolphins’ special teams unit put together a second consecutive strong performance free of meaningful error? There were solid returns from Dee Eskridge and Malik Washington in place of the injured Braxton Berrios. Jason Sanders made his kicks, and new long snapper Matt Overton did a fine job.

For the Bills, Tyler Bass has missed three field goals and two extra points. They haven’t been too strong in the return game this season without Deonte Harty, either, but Miami needs to string multiple solid outings on special teams together before it can really be trusted. Edge: Bills

Intangibles: The Bills have won three in a row. The Dolphins have lost five of six. The Bills have won 12 of their past 13 overall against the Dolphins and haven’t lost at home in the series since 2016. Buffalo has a chance to open up a 4 1/2 game lead on Miami in the AFC East, with the tiebreaker in hand if it sweeps the season series Sunday. Edge: Bills

PREDICTION: Bills 27, Dolphins 17

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