Here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins (5-3) and Chicago Bears (3-5) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 9 sport at Soldier Field (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: We’ll get the debut of former 49ers working again Jeff Wilson Jr. for Miami after the Dolphins traded for him, reuniting Wilson with coach Mike McDaniel whereas transport off Chase Edmonds within the Bradley Chubb commerce with the Denver Broncos. It nonetheless must be Raheem Mostert getting a bulk of the workload, although, on Sunday in Chicago.
Mostert had 64 yards on 14 carries his final day out in opposition to the Lions. Wilson seems to be a greater complement to the speedster Mostert than Edmonds beforehand was. Edmonds’ time with the Dolphins got here to an finish after he averaged 2.9 yards per carry in eight video games.
Chicago has the league’s No. 31-ranked run protection out of 32 groups, so there must be alternatives for Miami within the floor sport. And that rating was with linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive finish Robert Quinn, which the Bears lately traded away. Edge: Dolphins
When the Bears run: This is the place Chicago does most of its injury offensively, with South Florida product Khalil Herbert, who performed highschool soccer at Plantation American Heritage, main the way in which. He has a whopping 6.2 yards-per-carry and leads the staff with 563 dashing yards. David Montgomery splits carries with Herbert however averages 3.9 yards per try.
Quarterback Justin Fields is likely one of the league’s high dual-threat passers, racking up 424 dashing yards this season, which ranks second to Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. The Bears lately started going to him extra on designed runs, and it paid huge dividends of their Monday night time win over the Patriots two weeks in the past, opening up the play-action move, in addition to lanes for Herbert and Montgomery.
That top-ranked Bears dashing assault goes in opposition to a Dolphins run protection that has been very strong and continues to rise within the ranks every week, now as much as No. 6 within the league. Miami has held opponents beneath 100 dashing yards in three of the previous 4 video games. Edge: Even
When the Dolphins move: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is coming off what may’ve been his most full sport total in his three-year profession. After going 29 of 36 for 382 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions at Detroit, he now leads the NFL in passer ranking (112.7).
The receiving tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are on a report tempo along with 1,688 mixed receiving yards, probably the most by any pair of teammates via eight video games. Hill himself is on tempo to interrupt Calvin Johnson’s report of 1,964 with 961 receiving yards up to now. The speedy mixture is discovering numerous room to work in the midst of the sector with opposing defenses stretched out, involved with them as deep threats.
Bears security Eddie Jackson, a South Florida product from Boyd Anderson High, seems to be returning to Pro Bowl type this season, main the NFL with 4 interceptions. With Smith now gone, he additionally leads Chicago with 58 tackles. While the Bears rank fifth in move protection, they don’t produce a lot by way of move rush, particularly with out Quinn and shedding Khalil Mack within the offseason. Edge: Dolphins
When the Bears move: While Fields is a risk together with his legs, he has not impressed together with his arm. The second-year passer is finishing 58.5 p.c of passes for 1,199 yards, seven touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
While the Bears are rebuilding, they tried to accumulate some assist for Fields within the receiving corps, buying and selling with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Chase Claypool. He will get thrown right into a unit that has been led by Darnell Mooney’s 364 yards on 25 receptions. Claypool had 5 receptions for 41 yards in Miami on Oct. 23 when the Steelers misplaced a Sunday night time sport at Hard Rock Stadium.
It’ll be the debut of star edge rusher Chubb in a Dolphins uniform, and he’ll look to enhance a Miami move rush reverse Jaelan Phillips. It’ll be fascinating to see if Miami continues to go together with the security alignment of undrafted rookie Verone McKinley deep with Jevon Holland within the field because the robust security with Brandon Jones sidelined for the season. The Dolphins gave up lots via the air within the first half in opposition to Detroit final week, however clamped down within the second half. Edge: Dolphins
Special groups: The Dolphins’ particular groups is engaged on a rebound from early-season struggles. Jason Sanders made his one subject purpose try final week, and punter Thomas Morstead’s quick pooch was lined properly by gunner Keion Crossen. They additionally bought some punt return yardage lastly, going with Cedrick Wilson once more.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos is 12 for 12 on subject targets this season, together with 4 from 50-plus. They have Trenton Gill as their punter and use Velus Jones within the return sport. Edge: Even
Intangibles: As far as November journeys to Chicago are involved, the Dolphins could also be lucking out with temperatures anticipated to be within the 60s on Sunday afternoon. There may very well be some 15 mph winds, although. Either means, Miami is available in off two consecutive wins and including to their roster on the commerce deadline. The Bears have made it clear they’re rebuilding by buying and selling away two of their high defenders and are coming off a 49-29 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 34, Bears 24
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Source: www.bostonherald.com