The Miami Dolphins sacked coach Tony Sparano Monday and they are already looking ahead to 2012 as they visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 NFL betting action.

Both teams were handled with ease last week and the Dolphins are now playing for 2012 jobs. They have not scored more than 17 points at Buffalo since 2003 and they have played 6 straight road UNDERs.

Buffalo meanwhile has played 11 UNDERs in their past 12 December games, indicating the cold weather slows their scoring pace considerably.



View Miami vs Buffalo Odds and Stats.



Power Rankings / Prediction:
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Bills rated this week at No. 21 and the Dolphins sitting at No. 17. It may or may not play a role in OddsShark score prediction models that turned out a 23-18 result in favor of the Dolphins this week.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Buffalo's No. 17-ranked offense (22.2 PPG) against a Dolphins defense that ranks No. 5 at 18.9 PPG. The Bills passing attack has averaged 225 yards per game, less than the Dolphins give up through the air (244.2 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Dolphins feature the league's No. 2-rated road run defense, allowing 91.5 yards per game. Buffalo, meanwhile, ranks No. 10 in rushing offense at home.

Miami lost its last outing, a 26-10 result against the Eagles on December 11. The Dolphins failed to cover in that game as a 2.5-point favorite, while the 36 combined points took the game UNDER the total. In their last game, Miami got a 103-yard performance from Reggie Bush, but Philadelphia prevailed 26-10.

Buffalo lost its last outing, a 37-10 result against the Chargers on December 11. The Bills failed to cover in that game as a 7-point underdog, while the 47 combined points took the game UNDER the total. Buffalo lost its last outing 37-10 against San Diego on Sunday, getting a 116-yard receiving performance from Stevie Johnson in a losing cause at Qualcomm Stadium.


Miami Dolphins Trends:
When playing in December are 4-6
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the division are 4-6

Buffalo Bills Trends:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the division are 2-8

A few Dolphins at Bills trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Miami's last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami's last 11 games when playing Buffalo
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Buffalo's last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Buffalo's last 11 games when playing Miami
Buffalo is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games


Next up:
Miami at New England, Saturday, December 24
Buffalo home to Denver, Saturday, December 24