Right here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins (3-2) and Minnesota Vikings (4-1) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 6 recreation at Arduous Rock Stadium (1 p.m., Fox):
When the Dolphins run: If there was a vivid spot from the demoralizing 40-17 loss to the New York Jets final Sunday, it was that the run recreation acquired going. It began to indicate flashes of what coach Mike McDaniel had in San Francisco. Raheem Mostert was the catalyst, going for 113 yards and a landing on 18 carries. McDaniel was artistic, getting the ball to Tyreek Hill on rushes to the skin and even the sneak to tight finish Durham Smythe for a landing as he got here in movement underneath heart.
Mostert is turning into the Dolphins’ lead again, it seems, though it may nonetheless be a matchup-based choice every week. He's coping with a knee damage, too. Miami was with out Terron Armstead for a lot of the Jets recreation. His return, together with proper deal with Austin Jackson’s, doubtlessly, may present a lift.
The Vikings are twentieth within the NFL in opposition to the run. They’re coming off their greatest recreation stopping the bottom recreation, holding the Chicago Bears to 78 dashing yards, their first time limiting an opponent underneath 100. Linebacker Jordan Hicks leads the workforce with 45 tackles, and he has 2019 All-Professional Eric Kendricks subsequent to him on the within. Security Harrison Smith is powerful in run help. Edge: Vikings
When the Vikings run: The Minnesota run recreation is surprisingly within the backside half of the league, however three-time Professional Bowl operating again Dalvin Prepare dinner can flip that round in a second’s discover. Prepare dinner, who enters with 373 yards on 81 carries (a 4.6 common) and three touchdowns, can be hungry to flourish in his first skilled recreation at Arduous Rock Stadium. The Miami Central Excessive product used to crush the Miami Hurricanes in that constructing when he performed for Florida State.
The Dolphins’ run protection ranks thirteenth within the NFL. They only allowed the Jets to attain 5 instances on the bottom in opposition to them on Sunday, whereas rookie tailback Breece Corridor went for 97 yards dashing, on prime of his 100 receiving. I felt Miami could be higher at stopping the run and extra dominant up entrance than they've been via 5 video games. That entrance seven takes pleasure in stopping the run, and it must be a hard-fought battle within the trenches. Edge: Even
When the Dolphins go: We now know rookie seventh-round decide Skylar Thompson will get his first NFL begin whereas fellow quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater progress via concussion protocol. Thompson stored the Dolphins within the recreation for a lot of Sunday at New York till issues unraveled within the fourth quarter. He completed 19 of 33 for 166 yards and an interception.
Thompson took 15 quarterback hits, typically as Miami’s two backup tackles and left guard Liam Eichenberg struggled to guard and different instances from holding on to the ball being indecisive. The Dolphins may get Armstead and proper deal with Austin Jackson again for the Vikings recreation. And Thompson could have Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal. The third-string passer additionally drew one other 95 yards in pass-interference penalties vs. the Jets.
The Vikings are twenty second in go protection. Apart from Smith, a standout security, they've former Broward County highschool standouts in cornerback Patrick Peterson (Blanche Ely) and backup security Josh Metellus (Flanagan). On the sting, Za’Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum can deliver the strain, so Miami higher shore up its go safety. Edge: Vikings
When the Vikings go: With quarterback Kirk Cousins and star receiver Justin Jefferson main the way in which, Minnesota has the league’s eighth-ranked passing offense. Jefferson leads the NFL with 547 receiving yards. Cousins has 1,327 yards and 7 touchdowns whereas finishing 66.2 % of his passes. He's additionally vulnerable to getting picked off, throwing 5 interceptions.
That would current the Dolphins with a possibility to return away with their first interception for the reason that season’s opening defensive sequence in opposition to the Patriots. The hope is cornerback Xavien Howard taking off the Jets recreation lets his groins heal. He expects to play on Sunday, but when he’s not 100%, that could possibly be problematic if the Dolphins go the route of letting him face Jefferson 1-on-1. Miami already stays with out reverse beginning cornerback Byron Jones.
Can the Dolphins go rush please present up? We perceive having Jones unavailable and Howard out final Sunday and taking part in via accidents the earlier a number of weeks limits the Miami protection’s capability to blitz, however Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah and others have to start out attending to the quarterback on their very own when the Dolphins rush 4. Edge: Vikings
Particular groups: The discouraging factor is the Dolphins have had one thing go improper on particular groups in just about each recreation, however a few of it appears considerably fluky. Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders has missed two area targets and Vikings kicker Greg Joseph, an FAU alum, has missed 4, however all the sector targets that the 2 have missed have come from past 50 yards.
Dolphins punter Thomas Morstead has been stable with the assistance of his gunners. Clayton Fejedelem’s return provides Miami a particular groups increase. The Vikings have Ryan Wright punting, Jalen Reagor returning punts and Kene Nwangwu on kick returns. The Dolphins haven’t but reaped the advantages of utilizing prime playmakers within the return recreation. Edge: Even
Intangibles: By mid-October, the Dolphins’ home-field benefit from the South Florida warmth and humidity begins to put on off barely, however temperatures will nonetheless be within the 80s with 60-plus % humidity. Prepare dinner is acquainted with these South Florida situations, although, even when now in his sixth skilled season up north. It’ll be robust for Miami to win with a third-string quarterback, however Thompson has the benefit of the week’s preparation, versus getting thrown into the fireplace on the Jets. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Vikings 30, Dolphins 20
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