Dion Jordan #95 of the Miami Dolphins runs to score a third quarter touchdown after blocking a field goal kick by the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 09, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan.Getty Images
The Dolphins have found it difficult to block the Bills in recent meetings, and now Miami will try to do it with a rookie making his first start at left tackle since high school.
First-round draft pick Ja'Wuan James has moved over from the right side to replace Branden Albert, out for the year with a knee injury. James will be responsible for Ryan Tannehill's blind side Thursday night when Miami attempts to snap a streak of three losses to the Bills.
Both teams are 5-4, coming off a loss and on the fringe of AFC playoff contention. The Dolphins are favoured, but have been fending off questions about why they have so much trouble with the Bills, including a 29-10 loss at Buffalo in Week 2.
"I've been hearing from a lot of the older guys how important this game is for us," James said. "I think it's important, too, because of last time. I didn't like what happened last time. Nobody in this locker room did. We have a chance to go back out there and redeem ourselves."
Some things to watch in the 102nd matchup between these AFC East rivals:
Blocking The Bills: Buffalo's front four has given Miami fits over the past two seasons. In the three meetings, Miami is averaging 71 yards per game rushing and 4.8 yards per pass, with six turnovers and 13 sacks.
Buffalo DT Kyle Williams offered an explanation: "We have talent. We've got guys that can win one-on-one matchups."
Tannehill is optimistic the Dolphins can come up with a winning formula against Buffalo.
"That's the beauty of division games – it's a chess match," Tannehill said. "You play each other one time, make adjustments and then you go back and play again. That's why it's fun."
The rest of the league also has trouble blocking the Bills, who lead the NFL with 34 sacks. Now they'll face a revamped offensive line following the loss of Albert last Sunday.
James moves to left tackle. Dallas Thomas switches from left guard to right tackle. Shelley Smith takes over at left guard.
James has played well this year at right tackle, and he started for four years at that spot at Tennessee. He was a senior in the Georgia high school playoffs the last time he started on the left side; the opponent had a nice team but no Mario Williams.
"It's going to be tough," James said, "but I'm willing to do it."
Both teams have been awful in the red zone. The Bills ranks last in red-zone touchdown efficiency at 41 per cent, while the Dolphins rank last in red-zone scoring at 4.16 points per trip.
"As you get to the red zone," offensive co-ordinator Bill Lazor said, "things happen faster, windows are tighter and we better get better fast."