Showdown Sunday

Posted byMichael RifkinPosted inUncategorizedTags:,

By Mike Rifkin

Cue up the Rocky music on Sunday night as the 5-1 Dolphins visit the 5-1 Eagles. The Dolphins are coming off a 42-21 win over the Panthers last week. The Dolphins started slow in that game, trailing 14-0 before scoring 35 unanswered points. Tua Tagovailoa was 21-31 for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Raheem Mostert continued his fantastic start to the season with 132 total yards and three touchdowns. Tyreek Hill had six receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Waddle had 51 yards and a touchdown as well. The Dolphins defense had four sacks of Bryce Young. 

The Eagles are coming off their first loss of the season, a 20-14 defeat at the Jets. Jalen Hurts went 28-45 for 280 yards, two touchdowns ( 1 rush, one pass), and three interceptions. AJ Brown had seven catches for 131 yards, and Devonta Smith had five catches for 44 yards. Smith also had a critical drop late in the game. 

These two teams are in the top five in Yards per game (Dolphins 1, Eagles 2), Rushing yards per game ( Dolphins 1, Eagles 2), Sacks (Dolphins 3, Eagles 5), and Points per game (Dolphins 1, Eagles 5). One significant connection between these two teams is the talent selected from Alabama. Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts played with Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Landon Dickerson at Alabama. Tagovailoa replaced Hurts during the National Championship game during the 2018 National Championship Game. 

Keys to the game ( Dolphins)

  1. David Long and Jerome Baker – A massive key for the Dolphins is to limit Jalen Hurts’ mobility. If Vic Fangio decides to use one of these guys as a spy, it could help the defense.
  2. Protecting Tua – In the Dolphins’ loss to the Bills, they generated pressure in Tua’s face from the interior, where Philly generates much of its pressure, so protecting Tua and getting the ball out quickly should help. 
  3. Kader Kohou – Yes, the Dolphins opened up the practice window for Jalen Ramsey this week, but he will not play. The last time the Dolphins played a big-time offense, Stefon Diggs torched Kohu; now, whether it’s Devonta Smith or AJ Brown, Kohu has to be better. 

Keys to the game (Eagles)

  1. Run the Ball – The Dolphins defense gives up 114 yards per game on the ground. What made the Eagles so effective last season was they ran the ball to tire out defenses and then used play action. Utilize that big offensive line. 
  2. Protect the ball – The Eagles lost last week because Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions. The Eagles need to protect the football.
  3. Dallas Goedert and D’Andre Swift – A lot of attention will be paid to AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, so Goedert and Swift also have the potential to post big games. 

This game should be fireworks between two of the NFL’s elite teams. 

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