Here’s a have a look at how the Miami Dolphins (8-3) and San Francisco 49ers (7-4) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 13 sport at Levi’s Stadium (4:05 p.m., Fox):
When the Dolphins run: As the Dolphins get set to go towards the NFL’s top-ranked run protection, they’re coming off a discouraging sport on the bottom towards the league’s worst run protection, the Texans. Miami may solely muster 2.5 yards per carry towards Houston after having its finest speeding effort within the earlier outing towards Cleveland.
Running again Raheem Mostert wasn’t there for the Dolphins, although, and he’s anticipated to be again from his knee harm this week. He and Jeff Wilson Jr. will face their former staff in San Francisco. If left deal with Terron Armstead is unable to play, that hurts Miami’s means to run to his facet as his steamrolling run blocking will certainly be missed.
Fred Warner, a Pro Bowl linebacker in 2020, leads the 49ers within the coronary heart of that protection with 82 tackles. Outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw is correct behind him with 79. FAU product Azeez Al-Shaair is one to control, and defensive deal with Arik Armstead may make a return to motion this week, after being out since Week 4 coping with foot and ankle accidents. Edge: 49ers
When the 49ers run: Christian McCaffrey, the oft-injured star working again is attempting to battle by way of a knee ailment, and Elijah Mitchell has a knee harm of his personal he’s coping with. Much like Armstead does for the Dolphins, Trent Williams anchors the San Francisco offensive line from the left deal with place and might be the league’s finest.
The 49ers had been held to 96 speeding yards final week towards the Saints, however had back-to-back 150-yard outputs the earlier two weeks. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel at all times must be accounted for on the bottom with all of the inventive methods coach Kyle Shanahan can get him concerned.
Miami continues to cease the run effectively, particularly the normal run sport to the working backs. Their Tenth-ranked run protection is inflated due to massive scrambles surrendered to dual-threat quarterbacks. Last week, the Dolphins held the Texans to 36 speeding yards and restricted Dameon Pierce to eight yards on 5 carries. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins move: Miami owns the league’s second-ranked passing offense, but when Armstead is out, that can current the move safety with the problem of protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa upright towards a 49ers move rush with 33 sacks on the yr, 11 1/2 of which belong to South Florida product and former St. Thomas Aquinas High star Nick Bosa, whom Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel referred to as the league’s high move rusher. Miami may very well be relying on backup tackles Brandon Shell and Greg Little with Austin Jackson additionally doubtless out.
Tagovailoa’s 115.7 passer ranking continues to guide the NFL. In the 5 video games since he returned from a concussion — all wins — Tagovailoa has thrown 11 touchdowns and no interceptions, breaking a staff report for many consecutive move makes an attempt with out an interception. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has a 1-yard lead on the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson for many receiving yards within the NFL (1,232). Jaylen Waddle ranks fifth with 963.
The fast passing sport to Hill and Waddle and hoping for yards after catch could also be one of the best route for Tagovailoa if he certainly faces stress like he did as soon as Armstead went out within the win over Houston. Bosa might be getting after him. On the again finish, robust security Talanoa Hufanga has 4 interceptions, and cornerback Charvarius Ward and free security Jimmie Ward must be accounted for. Edge: 49ers
When the 49ers move: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is finishing passes at a 67.4-percent clip with 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Of course, he has tight finish George Kittle and Samuel to throw to, however it’s truly Brandon Aiyuk that leads San Francisco with 51 receptions 652 yards and 6 touchdowns by way of the air.
The Miami move rush will look to stay energetic within the backfield after gathering 5 sacks final Sunday towards Houston with 5 totally different gamers recording one. Bradley Chubb, acquired in a commerce with the Broncos on the deadline, will truly face the 49ers for the second time this season as Denver gained towards San Fran., 11-10, early within the yr. He, Jaelan Phillips, Melvin Ingram and firm look to create stress towards Williams and proper deal with Mike McGlinchey.
The Dolphins secondary is discovering its groove after having a tough time coping with accidents to security Brandon Jones, cornerback Nik Needham and having Byron Jones nowhere to be discovered. Xavien Howard has fumble recoveries in back-to-back video games, the final one returned for a landing off an Eric Rowe compelled fumble. Verone McKinley had his first profession interception towards the Texans, and outdoors linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel additionally had a choose that he almost took again the opposite manner. Edge: Dolphins
Special groups: Kicker Jason Sanders had a pleasant bounce again after his share of struggles on brief kicks on the opposite facet of the bye. He made all three area targets and further factors towards Houston. The Dolphins particular groups models nonetheless gave up an excessive amount of on punt returns, although.
49ers kicker Robbie Gould is 16 of 19 on area targets this season. Kick and punt returner Ray-Ray McCloud is succesful in his position. Fun truth about punter Mitch Wishnowsky: He is nicknamed Boomin’ Onion. Edge: 49ers
Intangibles: Both groups are available in scorching with San Francisco on a four-game successful streak and the Dolphins winners of 5 in a row. Miami confronted a number of powerful competitors early within the yr however hasn’t seen an above-.500 staff since Week 6. The familiarity facet between McDaniel and Shanahan can go both manner, however the Dolphins do must journey throughout the nation and probably face a high move rusher with out both beginning offensive deal with. Although the sting goes the Niners’ manner, don’t low cost that defensive coordinator Josh Boyer had an important sport at Levi’s Stadium in 2020. Edge: 49ers
PREDICTION: 49ers 23, Dolphins 17
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Source: www.bostonherald.com