The Miami Dolphins (6-3) host the Cleveland Browns (3-5) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium; listed here are some issues to look at for:
Dolphins LT Terron Armstead vs. Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett
This a key matchup that might go a great distance towards deciding whether or not the Dolphins’ passing recreation operates effectively. Garrett, whose 7.5 sacks are sixth within the league, is an All Pro with established credentials. He’s a one-man gang. Armstead has efficiently thwarted a few younger upstarts lately between Pittsburgh’s Alex Highsmith and Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson.
The Browns have 19 sacks, which is tied for seventeenth within the league. By comparability, the Dolphins have 17 sacks so Cleveland isn’t an enormous risk on paper. But Garrett is disruptive sufficient to trigger main issues throughout the offensive entrance if Armstead can’t maintain him underneath management. And don’t overlook Cleveland additionally has edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney on the opposite aspect, which is somebody for proper deal with Brandon Shell to fret about dealing with.
Dolphins run protection vs. Browns Nick Chubb
Cleveland’s Chubb, the cousin of Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb, is second within the NFL with 841 yards dashing. But the Dolphins have now dipped to fifteenth in run protection (117.4 yards allowed per recreation). Nick Chubb averages 3.0 yards per carry earlier than contact, which is 14th within the league, and a pair of.6 yards per carry after contact, which is seventh within the league. Chubb’s 17 damaged tackles rank third behind Houston’s Dameon Pierce (22) and Tennessee’s Derrick Henry (20).
But even when the Dolphins don’t cease Chubb it won’t be the worst factor. Interestingly, the Dolphins have allowed two gamers greater than 100 yards dashing — Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson (119) and Chicago quarterback Justin Fields (178) — and received each video games. The Dolphins have allowed 4 groups greater than 100 yards dashing — Buffalo, Baltimore, the New York Jets, and Chicago — and so they’ve gone 3-1 in these video games. Still, it might make issues simpler if the Dolphins cease the Browns’ floor recreation.
Bradley Chubb and Jeff Wilson contributions
These two commerce deadline acquisitions are anticipated to play massive roles for the workforce through the second half of the season (and probably past). Chubb, an edge rusher, had a great efficiency final Sunday vs. the Bears, in response to coach Mike McDaniel, however he didn’t have any sacks and solely had one deal with in his Dolphins debut. He’ll look to be simpler this Sunday. The Dolphins will play Chubb on either side on the defensive position as each Chubb and the workforce get extra acquainted with one another.
If the Dolphins can decrease operating again Nick Chubb’s effectiveness it clears the way in which to place the sport on the correct arm of quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the previous Dwyer High standout and Dolphins quarterback, and that caters to Bradley Chubb and the cross rush. As for Wilson Jr., his bodily presence and receiving capacity each surfaced vs. the Bears throughout a 28-yard run and a 10-yard receiving landing. Wilson totaled 72 yards from scrimmage in 12 touches (9 rushes for 51 yards, three receptions for 21 yards) and made not less than one key block.
QB Tua Tagovailoa’s good decision-making
In the previous two weeks Tagovailoa has had six touchdowns and no interceptions, and he’s made smart choices about eliminating the ball, sliding and operating out of bounds. Of course, he additionally hasn’t been underneath stress. He’s been sacked twice and hit twice throughout that point. We’ll see if that modifications when/if Garrett applies stress.
But there’s no denying Tagovailoa has proven enchancment lately in vital areas. Since the Pittsburgh recreation, when he had three or 4 potential interceptions, he’s been stable along with his throws and choices. That’s one cause why he leads the league in passer score (115.9).
Attention to element
The Dolphins must maintain the penalties and psychological errors (blown coverages, missed blocking assignments, and so forth…) to a minimal, and get the performs in to Tagovailoa on time. If the Dolphins don’t do issues to beat themselves, they need to be OK. Yeah, they most likely received away with a late-game cross interference in opposition to Chicago. But the mixed 199 yards in penalties in losses in opposition to the Jets and Minnesota Vikings had been expensive.
The blown coverages and missed blocking assignments that plagued the Dolphins early within the season have been minimized however nonetheless pop up infrequently. Getting the performs to the quarterback shortly is partly the product of a rookie head coach who is asking performs for the primary time. All of these items have conspired to work in opposition to the Dolphins and, in some circumstances, have led to unfavorable performs or an elevated diploma of problem executing performs. Eliminate these items and victories are simpler to acquire.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com