There is a feeling around Buffalo that Fred Jackson should be the Bills' starting running

back instead of Marshawn Lynch.

After Jackson's performance on Sunday, that belief is going to gain momentum.

Making his second start at running back since Lynch returned from his three-game suspension

to start the season (Jackson opened last week's game at Jacksonville as a receiver), Jackson

rushed for 73 yards on 15 carries with a career-high two touchdowns and added 43 more yards on

five receptions to help spark a 31-14 win over the Miami Dolphins.

"It's greatly appreciated," Jackson said of those who prefer him as the starter. "It's one

of those things that you establish yourself as somebody that can go out and be a starter on a

football team. As a player, you appreciate all the love you get from the fans and the media."

Jackson got a lot of love from interim head coach Perry Fewell, who opted to go with him as

the primary ball carrier even though Lynch was healthy.

Lynch hurt his shoulder against the Jaguars, but wasn't listed on the Bills' injury report

last week. He had just three carries for 6 yards Sunday.

"I made that decision really during the course of the week, just watching us practice,

watching our tempo and just gut instinct," Fewell said. "Fred has been very productive for us

and it was just a gut, again, to help our football team."

Jackson showed signs of what he could do last season when he ran for 571 yards and three

touchdowns. But he really proved that he could be a featured back when he started the first

three games this season while Lynch was serving a league-imposed suspension for violating the

personal conduct policy.

Jackson, who also started the game in which Lynch returned, ranked among the NFL's leaders

in rushing and yards from scrimmage during that period.

But Jackson has not been the same productive player sharing the backfield with Lynch. After

averaging 20 carries in the first three games, Jackson has had double-digit rushing attempts

just three times since. Sunday was the first time since Week Three that he topped 70 yards.

He admitted that it's hard to get into a rhythm when you're not getting a steady diet of

touches.

"Those types of things can frustrate you because it's a game," Jackson said. "[Getting more

touches] is huge. You have the opportunity to go out and set blocks up. You go out on the next

series and they're going to be looking for you to do something and then you can do the

opposite. Any running back, I think, feeds off that."

Audio Slideshow: Allen Wilson's Analysis

The Bills gave the Dolphins a steady diet of Jackson. As the game wore on, Jackson began to

wear the Dolphins' defense out.

More than half of his 51 second-half yards came in the fourth quarter when the Bills took

control of the game.

"I was definitely given my share of touches and it was something I wanted to take advantage

of and make as many plays as possible for this team," Jackson said. "I felt like the more

plays I can make the better it is going to help our team to get an opportunity to go out and

get a win."

Lynch probably has the most raw talent of the two running backs, but Jackson might be the

better overall football player.

He is a smart, patient runner who sets up his blocks well and is decisive when hitting the

hole. He gets every ounce of ability out of his body and fights for every last yard. He's also

an excellent receiver, as evidenced by his tremendous one-handed catch for 8 yards that set up

his first touchdown.

"Fred makes an offensive line look good," tackle Jonathan Scott said. "You don't have to

hold your blocks long because he hits it up in there. He is definitely a guy that makes yards

after contact. That's just the kind of mentality that he has. He's an important asset to this

offense."

Whether Fewell continues to ride Jackson remains to be seen. Lynch still has to have some

involvement in the offense, and even Jackson thinks the next game could be Lynch's turn to

bust loose.

If that happens, Jackson has no problem reassuming a backup role.

"He's going to get some touches where he's going to be making some plays," Jackson said.

"You want to be out there, but if he's hot, don't bring him out.

"We feed off each other," Jackson said. "He was the first guy to come up and congratulate

me and give me a big hug after the game. And likewise, if he goes out and has a game like that

I'm going to go up and give him a big hug and say good job."