Lucas, Fiedler get battered.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y _ The last time Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler was playing in such snowy weather, he led his Dartmouth team to a come-from-behind victory over Princeton.

When Fiedler replaced an injured Ray Lucas in the third quarter of Sunday's 38-21 loss to Buffalo, Fiedler said his mind immediately flashed back to that win. Trailing 17-14, his intentions were to bring about a similar result for the Dolphins.

But the elements _ not the broken thumb injury on his throwing hand that has sidelined him for the past six games _ weren't as kind to him in his unexpected return from injury.

After Lucas suffered a pinched nerve on the left side of his neck and shoulder area when he was hit from behind by Keith Newman, Fiedler went in instead of third-stringer Sage Rosenfels because coach Dave Wannstedt thought Fiedler was throwing well in practice last week.

"We felt like if we got down there in the fourth quarter and something did happen, that he would give us the best chance to win," Wannstedt said.

Fiedler, who finished the game completing 5 of 9 passes for 15 yards, allowed Miami to retake the lead in the third quarter when he handed off the ball to running back Ricky Williams on his third play of his opening series, and Williams ran 55 yards up the middle for a touchdown that put Miami ahead 21-17.

But the Bills responded with two ...