The Dolphins head north to Buffalo on Sunday. The Bills are in position to sweep this series for the first time since 1994 as these longtime and bitter divisional rivals square off for the 24th time (including 4 playoff encounters) in the 1990s.

Six weeks ago on a Monday night at Pro Player Stadium (Week 4), Bills LB Gabe Northern returned a Dan Marino fumble 59 yards for a score and QB Doug Flutie threw a 6-yard TD pass to WR Eric Moulds with 6:56 to play as Wade Phillips' club held on for an important 23-18 victory.

While the Dolphins still possess a 43-27-1 overall advantage (including playoffs) in this storied series, the Bills have closed the gap in recent years, owning a 20-9 edge vs. Miami (including 3-1 in playoffs) dating back to 1987, this after the Dolphins opened the series with a 34-7-1 advantage dating back to 1966.

However, including playoffs, the Dolphins have prevailed in five of the last eight meetings dating back to head coach Jimmy Johnson's arrival in Miami in 1996.

As for the Dolphins' last appearance at Ralph Wilson Stadium (Week 9 of '98), Bills QB Doug Flutie threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns (1 INT) and rallied his team from a 24-14 fourth-quarter with 16 unanswered points in the final 12 minutes for a 30-24 triumph.

Including playoffs, the Dolphins are just 3-11 in their last 14 visits to Orchard Park dating back to 1987.

Numbers: Including playoffs (1987-99), the Bills have not only averaged 146.0 YPG rushing (4,235 yards) in their last 29 games vs. Miami (including playoffs) but have averaged 177.0 YPG rushing (3,540 yards) in their 20 wins over that span. However, Bills have averaged just 77.2 YPG rushing (695 yards) in their last 9 losses to Miami. The Dolphins have not allowed an offensive touchdown in three straight games, as well as a total of 14 consecutive quarters dating back to the third quarter of their Week 6 game at New England. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, Dolphins are 35-5 when they run the ball 25 or more times, 0-19 when they fail to run the ball at least 25 times. Dolphins' PK Olindo Mare has kicked 26 field goals in eight games in '99. The NFL record for field goals in a season is 37, set by Carolina's John Kasay in 1996. Including playoffs, the Dolphins have allowed 239 points in 18 wins, 224 points in 8 losses dating back to '98. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins have totaled 109 sacks and 89 takeaways in 35 wins but just 33 QB traps and 32 takeaways in 24 losses. They have forced two or more turnovers in five straight games.

The Bills have committed seven turnovers and allowed eight sacks in six wins while committing nine turnovers and allowing 10 sacks in three losses in '99. They have allowed 69 points in six wins, 77 points in three losses in '99. WR Eric Moulds has scored at least one touchdown in his last four games.

Things to look for: The Dolphins' defense continues to punish and baffle opponents, but Jimmy Johnson surely remembers that his team's lone loss of the season came to a resourceful Doug Flutie and a Buffalo defense that came up big against Dan Marino and company. These days, Flutie has emerged as the team's best runner, passer and blocker, and will have to be at his improvisational best once again.

Etc.: The Dolphins are 7-1 for the first time since 1990, when they opened 8-1, finished 12-4 and qualified for the playoffs under since-departed head coach Don Shula. Including postseason, Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson is 7-3 lifetime vs. the Bills (2-1 with Dallas, including Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII, 5-2 with Miami, including '98 Wild Card Game). The Dolphins have won five straight games and four straight road games. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins are 17-12 vs. AFC East foes.

The Bills are 80-22 at home (including 9-1 in playoffs) since '88. They are 65-30 (including 3-1 in playoffs) vs. AFC East competition since 1988, however they are just 23-21 vs. divisional foes since 1994 (including playoffs). WR Andre Reed (12,923) needs 77 yards to become just the 5th player in NFL history with 13,000 receiving yards. Reed (86) needs 2 touchdown catches to tie Don Maynard (88) for 5th place on the NFL's all-time touchdown receptions list. Reed (87) needs one touchdown to tie Don Maynard (88) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list. PK Steve Christie (237) needs four field goals to tie Chris Bahr (241) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time field goals list.