The Dolphins (8-7) go to New England (7-8) at Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday making an attempt to finish their four-game shedding streak and take one other step towards their first playoff berth for the reason that 2016 season. Here are some things to look at for:
Offensive variety
This is the place coach Mike McDaniel’s offensive creativity should re-emerge. Opponents have discovered methods to restrict the Dolphins offense whether or not it’s been San Francisco, the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo or Green Bay. McDaniel should make a counter transfer, and to date we haven’t seen any.
The Dolphins might begin by involving tight finish Mike Gesicki within the passing sport or using the run extra usually. In the passing sport, huge receivers Tyreek Hill (franchise-record 113 receptions) and Jaylen Waddle (67 receptions) are the offensive leaders by a large margin. Next on the record is huge receiver Trent Sherfield (28) and Gesicki (26). As for the working sport, the Dolphins are final within the league in dashing makes an attempt (331). This offense should diversify.
Bill Belichick taking away one thing offensively
Along the traces of the Dolphins offense turning into extra numerous, there’s the strain of responding to no matter New England’s Belichick takes away, as is his years-long development. If Belichick decides to deal with taking away Hill (good luck on that), the Dolphins are in large, large hassle. If Belichick decides to focus solely on Hill and Waddle, permitting the Dolphins to run the ball or move to different gamers, which might be a very good defensive technique, the Dolphins offense faces an enormous problem.
Belichick may have one thing up his sleeve. Perhaps he takes away the center of the sector within the Dolphins passing sport, maybe he jams Hill and Waddle on the line of scrimmage to throw off the timing of the passing sport. The Dolphins offense completely will need to have a solution to no matter Belichick makes an attempt.
Dolphins’ intestine verify
Like it or not, we’re seeing the substance of this workforce. And a four-game shedding streak and a winless December make individuals begin utilizing the time period “choke,” as within the Dolphins can’t take the strain. There’s no different clarification. The Dolphins undoubtedly ought to have crushed Green Bay, a shedding workforce that got here into their home in an important December sport. And they wanted to win a type of video games on that three-game highway journey in opposition to San Francisco, the Chargers and Buffalo. Now they discover themselves within the robust place of needing to win a highway sport.
And, by the way in which, the Dolphins are 3-5 on the highway this season and can possible be beginning backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Yes, these ultimate two video games will check the substance of this Dolphins workforce and if the solutions are undesirable, heads might roll within the offseason. At this level it doesn’t seem such adjustments would begin on the prime with normal supervisor Chris Grier or McDaniel, however heads might roll.
Dolphins’ QB efficiency
Forget statistics resembling touchdowns, interceptions and passer score. The backup quarterback who begins at New England, whether or not it’s Bridgewater or rookie Skylar Thompson, should maintain this sport shut into the fourth quarter. That’s it.
Yeah, it’d be good if the beginning quarterback throws for 300 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. But that’s unlikely. Keep the sport shut, don’t make foolish errors, and get the ball within the fingers of the playmakers. Those are the issues the Dolphins search from their beginning quarterback this week. Do your half, don’t attempt to do an excessive amount of.
Dolphins ‘star’ gamers
This is a participant’s league, before everything. It’s at all times been that manner, it’ll at all times be that manner. Having mentioned that, let’s see what receivers Hill and Waddle can do to guide the Dolphins to victory. And let’s not overlook the opposite “star” gamers — left deal with Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard, pass-rushing linebackers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Melvin Ingram, linebacker Elandon Roberts, defensive deal with Christian Wilkins, security Jevon Holland.
These are one of the best gamers on the workforce and the blokes who should make performs to get this Miami to the playoffs. No, quarterbacks Bridgewater and Thompson aren’t talked about right here. They’re important, in fact. But these different guys are the highest playmakers, those who actually make the workforce go. Let’s see what they’ve bought.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com