Here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins (6-3) and Cleveland Browns (3-5) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 10 recreation at Hard Rock Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: It’s a new-look backfield for the Dolphins now with Jeff Wilson Jr. within the combine. If his debut with Miami is any indication, he’s now set to separate carries with Raheem Mostert after Mostert had a deal with on the majority of the carries when he was paired with Chase Edmonds, who was dealt within the Bradley Chubb commerce.
Wilson and Mostert every bought 9 carries final Sunday in opposition to the Chicago Bears. Wilson picked up 51 yards off these makes an attempt and Mostert 26, however Wilson added three receptions for 21 yards and a landing. Coach Mike McDaniel stated he’s seeking to get each their alternatives and will lean towards a scorching hand if one develops in a recreation.
The Browns are twenty second in opposition to the run. They can take a run recreation out in the event that they construct an early lead and management time of possession with their very own floor recreation. In their final win, they did that to the Cincinnati Bengals and solely allowed 36 yards dashing. They’ve additionally allowed rush totals of 238 to the Los Angeles Chargers, 202 to the Atlanta Falcons and 160 to the Baltimore Ravens. If Miami commits to the run recreation, there must be alternatives in opposition to the Cleveland entrance. Edge: Dolphins
When the Browns run: After failing to cease the Chicago Bears’ No. 1-ranked dashing assault, the Dolphins’ reward is the Browns and their third-ranked dashing offense. The excellent news is Cleveland does it the standard manner with the operating backs, which the Dolphins have been good in opposition to, versus stopping scrambling quarterbacks just like the Bears’ Justin Fields.
Nick Chubb is second within the NFL in dashing with 841 yards and averaging a whopping 5.6 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. Kareem Hunt is probably the league’s high No. 2 operating again, and he’s going for 4 yards per carry. The Browns have 5 Pro Bowls between their two guards, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.
The Dolphins fell all the best way from sixth to Fifteenth in run protection after permitting Fields to run for 178 yards, an NFL regular-season document for a quarterback. It ought to nonetheless be a aggressive matchup Sunday as a result of Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler and the remainder of the defensive entrance didn’t depart an excessive amount of to be discouraged about in stopping operating backs. Against the Bears, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert have been held to a mixed 2.8 yards per carry. The fundamentals in tackling and angles in pursuit nonetheless must be sharper. Edge: Browns
When the Dolphins go: Miami has put itself up there with essentially the most electrical passing assaults within the NFL. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on hearth with a league-leading passer ranking (115.9). He is coming off one of the best two-game stretch of his profession, finishing 75 % of passes for 684 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions in wins over the Detroit Lions and Bears.
Tyreek Hill is on an NFL single-season receiving document tempo, and he and Jaylen Waddle are combining for essentially the most receiving yards teammates have amassed by a workforce’s first 9 video games within the Super Bowl period. The go safety for Tagovailoa can be settling in with Terron Armstead and Brandon Shell on the two sort out spots.
It will should be on level in opposition to a Cleveland protection that options Myles Garrett and his 7 1/2 sacks. He can swap sides however will possible line up a bit extra in entrance of Armstead. Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward could possibly be in line to return from concussion for the Browns’ Fifteenth-ranked go protection. Converting third downs, the place Tagovailoa has been cash, can be key in not permitting Cleveland to win time of possession with its floor recreation. Edge: Dolphins
When the Browns go: Jacoby Brissett revenge recreation? The South Florida product who as soon as starred at Dwyer High in Palm Beach Gardens and spent final season with the Dolphins returns house as a starter rather than the suspended Deshaun Watson. Brissett is finishing 63.9 % of passes for 1,862 yards, seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions, an 86.8 passer ranking.
Complementing the run recreation, Brissett really has the Browns in the course of the pack in passing offense, rating sixteenth of 32 groups. In his previous two outings, together with the 32-13 Monday night time win over the Bengals that preceded Cleveland’s bye, Brissett is 39 of 49 for 536 yards, a landing and no interceptions. Continuing with the South Florida connections, Miami Northwestern High product Amari Cooper is having a stable season with 39 receptions for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns, as is former University of Miami tight finish David Njoku (34 receptions, 418 yards, landing).
The new pass-rushing tandem of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips will get its second recreation collectively. The hope for Miami is cornerback Xavien Howard finds his rhythm after he gave up a landing to Darnell Mooney throughout the Bears recreation and had what would’ve been his first interception of the season negated by a maintain. It can be attention-grabbing to see if the Dolphins keep on with Eric Rowe or return to both Verone McKinley or Clayton Fejedelem for the protection spot alongside Jevon Holland since Brandon Jones went down. Edge: Even
Special groups: The Dolphins bought an enormous play from their particular groups in opposition to the Bears. Phillips got here by with the blocked punt, and Andrew Van Ginkel recovered it for the landing.
But then there was the weekly blunder — this time, Jason Sanders lacking a 29-yard discipline aim for his first miss from inside 50 yards. Browns kicker Cade York has additionally missed 4 discipline objectives on the season. Edge: Even
Intangibles: The Browns are coming off their bye, but it surely additionally form of stunted some momentum they might have been choosing up from their Monday night time win over the Bengals their final outing. The Dolphins return house after back-to-back highway wins and are on a three-game successful streak, however they need to concentrate on incomes this win and never looking forward to the bye week that follows. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 27, Browns 20
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Source: www.bostonherald.com