Here’s the most recent installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, the place South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins reply questions from readers.
Q: After having each gained and misplaced to Buffalo this season, how are the Dolphins going to make use of these experiences to game-plan this week? Do they nonetheless view them as a division rival or is that this matchup on an entire different stage by way of game-stakes and notion since its playoffs? – @polaricoh on Twitter
A: It’s a basic situation of two division rivals splitting regular-season matchups after which getting paired once more within the postseason.
First and foremost, the harm updates this week will decide how a lot could be taken from each the successes and failures in two earlier conferences with the Bills — this third one now an elimination sport within the playoffs.
If Tua Tagovailoa can’t get cleared by way of concussion protocol and play, then all the pieces modifications within the sport plan. It should be tailor-made for both Teddy Bridgewater, enjoying by way of a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand, or Skylar Thompson, who managed the sport in opposition to the Jets nicely sufficient to keep away from errors and win — however that effort gained’t be adequate at Buffalo.
The Dolphins performed two tight video games in opposition to the Bills, profitable 21-19 at Hard Rock Stadium and falling on a last-second discipline aim, 32-29, at Orchard Park’s Highmark Stadium. The latter matchup confirmed Miami can compete with the Bills, even on the highway and within the chilly, when largely wholesome.
To keep shut with the Bills once more, the Dolphins’ finest probability is to shorten the sport with lengthy, sustained drives (one thing this offense struggles with) and get stops in opposition to Josh Allen and his high-powered offense with a game-changing turnover or two (one thing this protection struggles with).
The odds are actually stacked in opposition to Miami, however past Tagovailoa, the Dolphins want Terron Armstead at left deal with. They want to have working again Raheem Mostert again after he was profitable final time in opposition to the Bills, however his standing is closely doubtful with a damaged thumb.
Miami was efficient on the bottom within the final sport, which helps an offense maintain drives. It didn’t have Jeff Wilson final Jr. time, so he must fill the Mostert void and Salvon Ahmed might want to produce in spelling him.
Defensively, the Dolphins want a superb week of restoration from Xavien Howard after he returned from the knee harm that trigger him to overlook the New England sport. They can’t have the model that was always getting beat by Garrett Wilson final Sunday go in opposition to Stefon Diggs this week.
Miami additionally hasn’t been in a position to cease scrambling quarterbacks, and Allen went for 77 speeding yards within the final assembly. Dolphins linebackers and edge rushers struggled to comprise him. Do you employ security Jevon Holland as a spy? Maybe some, however you want Holland roaming the again finish, too. Different seems to be should be utilized to maintain Allen sincere.
Q: I like Ahmed however we’d like extra depth since Mostert may be out and Gaskin is on IR, so will we add somebody over the week? – @Banwello3 on Twitter
A: It would most likely be so simple as elevating La’Mical Perine up from the follow squad. Maybe one other again is added to that follow squad on high of that, however it will be so much, with the specifics of Mike McDaniel’s offense and the run sport, to ask a tailback unfamiliar with the offense to come back in off the road and contribute in a playoff sport. Perine has no less than been with the staff since mid-October.
Q: Is the staff even enthusiastic to be on this place? Or is the malaise that set in post-West Coast journey nonetheless in full impact? —@TaylorLessThan3 on Twitter
A: I’d describe the staff seen within the locker room Sunday after clinching a spot within the postseason as not glad, one which feels that is the naked minimal of its objectives and now desires to make some noise within the postseason.
Players are enthusiastic however not overly celebratory — possibly with a touch of aid, as nicely, after a postseason berth that after appeared so assured got here all the way down to a must-win situation in Week 18 after 5 consecutive losses.
They know they face a tall job, particularly with what number of accidents they’re coping with, however they’re opponents and can do precisely that — compete.
Q: What will take this staff excessive subsequent season? — @LasersBets on Twitter
A: Health, for one. You have a franchise quarterback that constantly has missed time. The identical goes for Armstead, who’s as stable as they arrive when wholesome, however you all the time knew he most likely wouldn’t make it by way of a full season. Mostert, identical factor. This protection hasn’t had a 100-percent Howard. The staff traded a first-round decide for Bradley Chubb, and he has an harm historical past. The protection didn’t have Byron Jones all yr and misplaced fellow cornerback Nik Needham and security Brandon Jones for the season, together with defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah.
McDaniel would probably favor to maintain his offensive employees intact to present his system extra time to flourish with prolonged continuity. The defensive facet, led by coordinator Josh Boyer, has underperformed, together with particular groups. But after these two models spearheaded the hassle to win an 11-6 sport to achieve the playoffs, if these areas get rotated for a aggressive playoff run, it might change the offseason momentum that at the moment factors to imminent modifications.
The Dolphins need to shore up the secondary. They’re prone to transfer on from Byron Jones. Could Kader Kohou be counted on for continued growth to be that beginning cornerback? Is it so simple as having Howard return to kind and getting Brandon Jones and Needham again? Inside linebacker will probably be a place to hunt an improve. Offensively, the tight finish room might get revamped; McDaniel could discover a working again he likes within the draft, and the offensive line continues to be a piece in progress after including Armstead and middle Connor Williams.
Q: When will the ping pong desk be burned? I’ll personally pay for no matter kerosene is required. — Jeff B on Twitter
A: Let the file present, the Dolphins are actually on a six-game profitable streak with out a ping-pong desk within the locker room on the staff’s follow facility and have misplaced seven straight with one current.
They began 3-2 with the primary one, and it was eliminated after two consecutive defeats. Once it was gone, they misplaced yet another sport however began their five-game profitable streak. A brand new desk surfaced the Friday earlier than the West Coast journey started. That’s when the five-game dropping streak occurred. With the brand new ping-pong desk eliminated, Miami gained once more on Sunday.
Have a query?
Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Previously answered:
Can Tua swimsuit up for wild-card sport?
Should Tua think about retirement after newest concussion scare?
Is Bradley Chubb contributing?
Why is the run sport absent?
How impactful can defensive entrance be?
Are Miami assistants in line for head teaching jobs at season’s finish?
How will protection fare on West Coast journey?
Can struggling protection be fastened? Plus, Emmanuel Ogbah, Jason Sanders questions
Should Mike Gesicki have been shopped in commerce talks? Why so many penalties?
Is 8-3 with a 5-game win streak in Miami’s future? Does Brandon Shell maintain on to RT job?
Why not use Mike Gesicki as WR?
Why has protection taken a step again? Liam Eichenberg issues? Talk trades with Panthers?
Should we be bought on this O-line; what’s up with Mike Gesicki?
Is Christian Wilkins subsequent for multi-year extension?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com