Week 18 of the NFL  season will see the Miami Dolphins square off against the Buffalo Bills in a high-stakes match at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday Night. This match will not only decide the destination of the AFC East title but also the No. 2 AFC playoff seed. As the teams are proceeding towards the showdown, there is one question that is continuously bugging everyone’s mind. Who will start for the teams in this all-important clash?

For the Bills, fans doubt Josh Allen’s presence in Week 18, and for the Phins, football enthusiasts are wondering about Tyreek Hill. So, here are all the points that you must know before the Bills vs Dolphins clash!

Bills vs Dolphins: Who is out for Week 18 as title clash looms?

The Bills’ health situation is improving, and their coach Sean McDermott is staying optimistic for Sunday’s game. He has not ruled out any player for Week 18, as almost every player had their full participation in the game. Damar Hamlin was suffering from a shoulder injury, therefore he had limited participation in practice for three days. However, he has been given a green light by the coach. Von Miller will be inactive for the Phins’ game. Only Mitch Morse, who is suffering from illness, has been listed as questionable for the last regular game.

On the contrary, the Dolphins listed 5 players on their injury report. They have ruled Bradley Chubb (Knee) and Xavien Howard (Foot) out of the game for Week 18. Both players didn’t participate in the practice sessions of their team on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Besides Chubb and Howard, Jerome Baker (Knee), Raheem Mostert (Knee/Ankle), and Jaylen Waddle (Ankle) are listed as questionable for the last regular season game. All of them had limited participation on Friday.

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Starting lineup and key players:

WR Tyreek Hill: Miami star Tyreek Hill is suffering from an ankle injury, and therefore he was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. However, he did not participate in Thursday’s practice at all because he went to see his house, which had caught fire. Then on the following day, he had full participation in the game. It’s safe to say, Hill will be playing in the Week 18 game, supporting his QB Tua Tagovailoa.

CB Eli Apple: The Dolphins will be missing their CB Xavien Howard for their last game. Therefore, in his availability, CB Eli Apple will have to take on a more significant role. He will probably have a responsibility in covering Bill’s WR Gabe Davis, as in their last encounter Davis performed well, making three catches for 61 yards and a TD.

QB Josh Allen: From the Bills, starter quarterback Josh Allen will be playing the last regular game for his team. And the reason is clear. They want to get a playoff spot by defeating the Phins who are already on the seed 2. Allen was suffering from a neck and right finger injury that kept him as one of the noticeable names on the injury report throughout the week. However, coach Sean McDermott has clearly stated that he is “ready to go on Sunday night.”

CB Taron Johnson: As listed questionable, it is a possibility that Dolphins’ number 2 wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will not play. This will give room to Tyreek Hill to run all over the field. This is where Taron Johnson’s defense will come in handy for the Bills, as he can cover Hill in the slot.

Suspensions

There are no suspensions for the Week 18 game for either of the teams.

Predictions

Both teams are aiming to lock their playoff spot. Miami is 11-5 overall and 7-1 at home this season. But they are coming off the back of a loss against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. Over the last four games, they have a 2-2 record. On the other hand, The Bills are 10-6 and on a four-game winning streak. They are also chasing a fourth straight division title. However, a loss here and other results going against them could see the Bills miss out on the playoffs altogether. Since the Bills overcame the Dolphins earlier in the season, a win here will give them the head-to-head tiebreaker as well.

After the Dolphins suffered a loss against the Ravens, NFL analysts don’t expect them to make a comeback in the last game. According to them, the Bills might defeat Miami once again, this time with a margin of at least 25 points.

Bills vs Dolphins: Where to watch?

Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024
Time: 8:20 PM ET
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: NBC
Weather Report: Low temperature of 64 degrees

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WEATHER FORECAST: The forecast for Miami Gardens between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight Sunday calls for temperatures of 64-65, according to AccuWeather, with cloudy skies and a 16 percent chance of precipitation. The wind is expected to be 9 mph with gusts up to 15 mph.

The National Weather Service in Miami predicts a 50% chance of rain showers and thunderstorms during the day, but it has a similarly mild evening forecast. The Weather Service predicts a low of 64 degrees and a north wind around 11 mph. The possibility of clear weather and mild temperatures could be just what the Buffalo Bills need to revitalize their currently inactive passing offense.

Talking about their head-to-head, they have played each other 120 times, including 5 postseason games. The Bills have won 57 games, and Miami has 62 victories over the Bills. They have also tied once. In their last matchup, Buffalo won 48-20 over Miami, on October 1, 2023, at Highmark Stadium. In fact, the Bills have dominated their recent meetings.

Out of their last five meetings, the Bills have won four while the Dolphins have a solitary win to their name way back in September 2022 at the Hard Rock Stadium.

What will happen at this year’s showdown? Let’s wait for Sunday at 8:20 PM ET.

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