The Miami Dolphins (8-3) go to the San Francisco 49ers (7-4) at 4 p.m. Sunday at Levi’s Stadium; listed below are 5 issues to observe for within the sport:
Dolphins left sort out vs. 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa
We don’t but know who will play left sort out for the Dolphins after starter Terron Armstead sustained a pectoral damage final week in opposition to Houston. It could possibly be Brandon Shell or it could possibly be Greg Little. What we all know is Bosa, the previous St. Thomas High standout and one of many NFL’s high defensive gamers, will likely be on the sector. Bosa has 11.5 sacks, which is third within the NFL. He can single-handedly deliver the Dolphins passing sport to a grinding halt together with his pass-rushing expertise.
The Dolphins don’t normally make use of most safety packages however they’ll need to make changes this week. Look for tight ends and working backs to assist block Bosa. Don’t depend on the Dolphins rolling quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of the pocket to keep away from Bosa. It’d be too straightforward for defenders to tee off on him with a working begin. Handling Bosa will come all the way down to fundamentals and method. And, simply as importantly, Tagovailoa persevering with to get the ball out of his arms rapidly. By the way in which, establishing a working sport is important to minimizing Bosa’s impact as a result of it means the Dolphins move fewer instances.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel vs. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan
McDaniel is nice associates with Shanahan, who employed him as San Francisco’s run-game coordinator and offensive coordinator the earlier 5 years. You know every of those guys badly needs to beat the opposite one. But it is a good teaching technique matchup. The trick just isn’t getting caught up within the private battle by doing one thing out of character, that means being too aggressive or too conservative.
There’s additionally the prospect of over-thinking the matchup, that means you pay an excessive amount of consideration to the opposite coach’s developments or attempt too onerous to foretell when he’ll buck his personal pattern. In different phrases, each coaches will likely be battling themselves to stay themselves and never do something loopy. The relationship between McDaniel and Shanahan is extra of a private factor. But regulate the Xs and Os battle as a result of it’ll have an effect on the sport’s end result greater than the coaches’ friendship.
Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb vs. 49ers left sort out Trent Williams
Chubb was acquired to offer the Dolphins a fearsome move rush. Williams, an All Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl choice, routinely eliminates such threats. This is a key matchup for just a few causes. The 49ers are tenth in passing (234.2 yards per sport) and their receiving choices are potential game-changers amongst tight finish George Kittle, and huge receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings.
Chubb should get previous Williams and be disruptive. It’s uncertain the Dolphins flip Chubb to the opposite facet to face 49ers proper sort out Mike McGlinchey. Chubb, who has 1.5 sacks in three video games with the Dolphins, will probably spend a complete afternoon in opposition to one of many sport’s finest. It ought to be famous Chubb had two tackles and one sack when he matched up in opposition to Williams in Week 2, an 11-10 Denver victory over San Francisco.
Dolphins secondary vs. 49ers huge receivers
The Dolphins secondary of cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou and safeties Jevon Holland and Eric Rowe could have loads of assist from different defensive backs resembling Verone McKinley III, Keion Crossen, Elijah Campbell, Justin Bethel, Clayton Fejedelem, and Noah Igbinoghene. We record so many as a result of at sure instances this season they’ve all performed a key position. The Dolphins have loads of choices in opposition to Samuel (44 receptions, 511 yards, two touchdowns), Aiyuk (51 receptions, 652 yards, six touchdowns), Jennings (24 receptions, 269 yards, one landing) and Kittle (36 receptions, 450 yards, 4 touchdowns).
An excellent move rush would be the Dolphins’ first line of protection. Beyond that, they’ll must you’ll want to present good protection, in fact, however they’ll additionally must you’ll want to get Samuel on the bottom. He’s a robust receiver and arm tackles gained’t do the job. If they don’t sort out Samuel he can slice up, or run by the protection for large performs. The Dolphins produced two interceptions final week (one by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel) and gained the Steelers sport with a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions. Such heroics may be required once more.
Dolphins offense vs. 49ers protection
The Dolphins are No. 3 in offense (386.7 yards per sport), and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leads the NFL’s No. 2 passing sport (291.9 yards per sport). Fueled by huge receivers Tyreek Hill (league-leading 1,233 yards receiving) and Jaylen Waddle (963 yards receiving, fifth within the league), the Dolphins’ passing sport is one of the best facet of their offense. The 49ers have the NFL’s No. 1 protection (281.7 yards allowed per sport). They’re ranked No. 1 in opposition to the run (79.5 yards allowed per sport) and ranked eleventh vs. the move (202.3 yards allowed per sport). Their 33 sacks are tied for eighth within the league and their 9 interceptions are tied for ninth.
Yes, the Dolphins have scored no less than 30 factors in 4 consecutive video games. But their run sport is twenty eighth within the league (94.8 ypg). And within the Dolphins’ 30-15 victory over Houston final week the offense didn’t rating within the second half and solely produced two touchdowns, one in all which noticed them begin their drive on the 3-yard line after an interception. By the way in which, the Dolphins are sixth in scoring (25.6 ppg) and the 49ers lead the league in scoring protection (15.7 ppg allowed). This matchup between the Dolphins offense and 49ers protection might resolve the sport.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com