Kicking Game Could Loom Large in Miami Dolphins-Buffalo Bills Thursday Night Game

Thursday night's match up between the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills has the makings of a promising game. While last week wasn't Ryan Tannehill's best game for the most part he has looked really good ever since the unintended (or was it...) threat to his job. The Dolphins defense has been fantastic and has become one of the top ones in the league (No. 4).

Buffalo's offense is not as potent as Miami's, but they too have a solid defense (No. 6). When match-ups look like this on paper that typically means one thing.

via Bleacher Report

This sucker could very well be decided by the picking game, and if that happens it will definitely be advantage Miami.

The Dolphins have the second best kick return average in the NFL with 30 yards per return; Buffalo is ranked 20th with 23.3 per return. Neither are great at punt returns, and both have a solid field goal kicker.

So where's the advantage? No one has been better at blocking kicks than the Dolphins this season:

Dolphins now have 4 blocked kicks (FG or punt) this season, most in the league
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 9, 2014

Tight games are often won by big plays. With the Dolphins having a knack for blocking kicks (albeit just four times in nine games) it would not be shocking if No. 5 was the deciding play during the game.

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