Bills vs. Dolphins live updates and score tracker: Playoff scenarios, start time, predictions, injury report and how to watch

Buffalo Bills–Miami Dolphins will determine the winner of the AFC East in the regular-season finale. What’s one thing each team needs to not only win Sunday but also feel confident heading into the playoffs?

Mike Sando: For the Dolphins, avoiding a second consecutive blowout defeat would be sufficient for a team that has already secured a playoff berth, provided Miami avoids additional key injuries. As for the matchup, I’m watching to see what kind of pressure the Dolphins can get on Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Injuries have sidelined the Dolphins’ top pass rushers. Last week, Lamar Jackson completed 7 of 8 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns when the Dolphins blitzed. When Buffalo beat Miami in Week 5, Allen completed 5 of 5 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown against Dolphins blitzes.

Jeff Howe: The Bills haven’t necessarily found a traditional run game, but they’re certainly trying to keep James Cook as involved as possible. That seems to be one of the biggest differences since Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator. Allen has three touchdown passes and six touchdown runs during their four-game winning streak, so he’s also been getting it done with his legs when the time calls for it. The Dolphins need to stay on schedule and avoid the disastrous stretches that have crushed them a few times. They gave up 17 consecutive points to the Bills in the second quarter of their 48-20 loss in Week 4 and 21 straight points in less than five minutes around the half last week in the 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In the 21-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, Kansas City scored 14 points in the final 2:31 before the half. The Dolphins have fallen out of games when they’ve pressed in those key moments.

Kalyn Kahler: Miami’s injuries are mounting. The loss of Bradley Chubb with an ACL tear last week really, really hurts this defense, which was already without Jaelan Phillips. Chubb led the team in pressures (70) and sacks this season (13). Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert are questionable, and Tyreek Hill has been banged up. This is out of Miami’s control, but the most important thing is to escape without losing another key starter. For Buffalo, Allen needs to continue rushing. Since Week 11, he has averaged 8.2 rushing attempts per game compared with 4.8 attempts per game before that.

Read more previewing the week’s games here.