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Bills, Dolphins to clash over the border

Dec 2, 2008 - 9:36 PM MIAMI (7-5) vs. BUFFALO (6-6) AT TORONTO, 4:05 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The NFL will hold its first regular-season game in Canada when the Buffalo Bills clash with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

It is essentially an elimination game for the Bills (6-6), whose playoff hopes are on life support following six losses in their last seven games.

Buffalo suffered a devastating blow last weekend, falling to the San Francisco 49ers, 10-3, at home. The loss dropped them into the AFC East cellar, one game behind the Dolphins and New England Patriots and two back of the division-leading New York Jets.

"Not looking at the big picture, all four games, you have to take them one game at time," Bills tackle Jason Peters said. "We have the Dolphins Sunday, and taking it one day at a time and at the end of the season, just see what happens."

Buffalo did not help itself with the feeble offensive effort against the lowly Niners, failing to get in the end zone despite 134 yards rushing from Marshawn Lynch. In addition, quarterback Trent Edwards left the game at halftime with a groin injury, and his availability is in question for Sunday's game.

Edwards completed 10-of-21 passes for 112 yards before J.P. Losman replaced him in the second half. Losman finished 11-of-17 for 93 yards.

The Bills Toronto Series features eight games - five regular-season and three preseason - from 2008 through 2012. Buffalo posted a 24-21 preseason victory over Pittsburgh on August 14.

"We are very pleased to be the first franchise in NFL history to split our schedule between our domestic home city of Buffalo, New York and our neighboring international city, Toronto, Ontario," Bills owner Ralph Wilson said.

Buffalo will need every advantage it can muster against the Dolphins, who are among the league's major surprises following a 1-15 campaign in 2007.

Miami struggled to get past the woeful St. Louis Rams, 16-12, last weekend, its fifth win in the last six games.

It was a must-win for the Dolphins, who finish up with three of their final four games on the road.

Ricky Williams rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries and Ronnie Brown chipped in with 48 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries to offset a sub-par outing by quarterback Chad Pennington.

"We have to keep working hard, especially this time of the season," Williams said. "Your toughness is really tested both mentally and physically. So, if we can stay healthy and we can keep practicing hard and get better, I think we'll be in good shape."

Miami won the first meeting, scoring 18 unanswered points to rally for a 25-16 victory on October 26.