The time is now.  Right now.

If the Buffalo Bills are to even flirt with the prospect of entering any AFC playoff race over the last seven weeks, it has to start tonight. At 3-6, their backs against the wall and a nationally televised home game against division rival Miami, the Bills are in an absolute must-win situation.  Simply put, their defensive letdown at New England last week left Buffalo with no margin for error.

Based on Chan Gailey’s track record—things aren’t looking good.  The embattled coach is 13-28 since taking over in 2010 and more disturbingly, just 2-13 within the division.

It’s a shame Gailey can’t put on a uniform and tackle defenders because it’s hard to imagine him performing much worse than these current Bills.  The unit has been consistently awful and is led by its linebackers—who are playing historically bad.

Over the past 72 hours Ryan Fitzpatrick’s ill-fated interception that sealed the loss in Foxboro has dominated headlines, but it’s the defenses fault the Bills are three games under .500.  Buffalo has scored at least 28 points five times in nine games and have a 1-4 mark to show for it.

The onus tonight is clearly on the defense to stop the run and make rookie Ryan Tannehill beat them with his arm.  Tannehill has thrown just two touchdowns while tossing nine picks in Miami’s five losses.

Offensively Buffalo needn’t worry about C.J. Spiller getting enough touches because Fred Jackson is out with a concussion.  You all know the numbers—Spiller has been incredible this season and seemingly the only thing holding him back has been Gailey.  Hopefully that ends tonight.  The home crowd may riot if Spiller doesn’t get 18 carries tonight.

We’ll have more leading up to tonight’s game throughout the afternoon and plenty of postgame coverage following.