WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN THE BALL

The Dolphins are winless, but their running game is playing well enough to have the team undefeated. The Dolphins are gaining a fat 4.7 yards a rush. Running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have accounted for all of the Dolphins' touchdowns this year. The Bills have prided themselves on improving their rush defense each season since 2004, but that streak is in danger now because this year they have regressed. The Bills last week yielded a season-worst 11 rushing first downs and a season-worst 222 rushing yards to the Saints.

WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASS THE BALL

Chad Henne brings a stronger arm but minimal experience to the quarterback spot in taking over for injured Chad Pennington. He also brings less accuracy. But Miami's passing game is ranked 30th, with the more accurate and experienced quarterback, so what the heck? Maybe the change will be good -- but only if Miami gets better performances from Ted Ginn Jr. and tight end Anthony Fasano, who has been missing in action this season. The Bills' secondary, bad already, is limping into this game as cornerback Leodis McKelvin (broken leg) was put on season-ending injured reserve Thursday and and safety Donte Whitner is out after thumb surgery Monday.

WHEN THE BILLS RUN THE BALL

Buffalo's rushing offense has been steadily improving for four years, with their average rush per carry rising from 3.7 in 2006 to 4.8 this year. Much of this year's success has depended on Fred Jackson, but the Bills' running game gets an infusion with the return of Marshawn Lynch from a suspension. The Dolphins have been solid against the run because their defensive line is a strength, and that isn't likely to change unless injuries befall the front line.

WHEN THE BILLS PASS THE BALL

The Bills have very talented receivers in Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, but that hasn't translated to production on the field. Owens has several notable drops and Evans has not proved to be the deep threat he was in previous years. Miami's secondary lately has been an invitation to pass, but that was against two Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacks. Trent Edwards is not that now. So the Dolphins hope to patch the holes against Edwards that were so obvious against Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bills have five kick-return touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, and their net punting average has been in the top 10 every season since 2005. This season, the Bills are in or near the top 10 in all of the significant special teams categories. But Leodis McKelvin (broken leg), who handled the kickoff returns, is out for the season. The Dolphins are seemingly still trying to find a kick returner; the first couple of weeks, Ted Ginn Jr. served there and Patrick Cobbs returned kicks last week. History dictates the advantage here.

COACHING

Dick Jauron is one of nine NFL coaches with actual playing experience in the league. In his fourth year, he has overseen improvement in all three phases of the game. But, and this is significant, all that improvement has not translated into a winning season. Not one. Miami's coaching staff has to be groping for answers because the team is winless, but at the end of the day, the team's problem has been primarily because of execution and not so much coaching decisions.

ADVANTAGE: Miami.

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