O.J. McDuffie and the Dolphins will try to get past the Bills defense.

Now the Bills come home from a three-game road trip to play the Dolphins on Sunday at Rich Stadium. And they come off their best game of the season, a 34-17 victory at Washington in which Doug Flutie put to rest cries he be benched in favor of Rob Johnson.

Buffalo is favored by three because of the home field advantage. But that advantage might not be as great as the Bills get in December. The Dolphins could feel right at home if the weather in the North stays as warm as it's been for the last week or so.

One man the Bills won't see is Dan Marino, out again with the pinched nerve in his neck. That hasn't hurt the Dolphins, who have won five straight, four with Damon Huard, who came in against New England after two series.

But the key is the ground game. Flutie was effective against Washington because Jonathan Linton and Antowain Smith combined for 164 yards on the ground, and he scrambled for 40 more. Miami, on the other hand, is second in the league against the run.

Then there's the incentive theory.

If the Bills win this, they're in the middle of the AFC East race. If they lose, they'll have to scramble to make the playoffs in a conference where 10-6 might not be good enough to make it to the postseason. Bills 19, Dolphins 18.

Indianapolis (minus 3) at New York Giants: This is a test for the Colts, the NFL's "hot" team. The last time they played in the Meadowlands, they barely beat the Jets -- and only because Bill Parcells made a bad call, and Ray Lucas made a bad throw. The Giants play good defense and have had a bye week to get ready. If the winds blow, Peyton Manning could have problems. Giants 19, Colts 18.

Kansas City (plus 3) at Tampa Bay: Beware of Trent Dilfer's good day in New Orleans. History shows he follows that with a bad day, and the Chiefs are the kind of team to force one. Chiefs 17, Bucs 16.

Green Bay (minus 3) at Dallas: This used to be a marquee matchup. But no Triplets for the Cowboys, and a banged-up Brett means not many points. Packers 10, Cowboys 9.

Denver (plus 5½) at Seattle: Denver should write off the year. Seahawks 24, Broncos 10.

Minnesota (minus 7) at Chicago: The Bears won the first meeting and are spunky at home. Vikings 20, Bears 16.

New York Jets (plus 6) at New England (Monday night): Lucas is back for Rick Mirer in what the folks in New England have come to call the "Tuna Bowl." Patriots 24, Jets 3.

Carolina (plus 10) at St. Louis: The Panthers are unpredictable, the Rams aren't. They win big at home. Rams 34, Panthers 7.

Detroit (minus 5) at Arizona: The Lions are 5-1 inside, 1-1 outside. But these are the Cardinals. Lions 22, Cardinals 6.

San Francisco (minus 1) at New Orleans: Two teams in emotional and physical turmoil. 49ers 22, Saints 16.

San Diego (plus 7) at Oakland: The Chargers defense is getting tired. Still. ... Raiders 21, Chargers 20.

Washington (minus 6) at Philadelphia: The Eagles play tough at home. Redskins 20, Eagles 15.

Baltimore (plus 13) at Jacksonville: Oh, to play in the AFC Central. Jaguars 23, Ravens 6.

Tennessee (minus 10) at Cincinnati: Oh, to play in the AFC Central. Titans 33, Bengals 6.

Cleveland (plus 14½) at Pittsburgh: Oh, to play in the AFC Central. Steelers 43, Browns 6.