The Miami Dolphins (8-3) go to the San Francisco 49ers (7-4) at 4 p.m. Sunday at Levi’s Stadium; listed below are 5 issues to look at for within the sport:
Dolphins left deal with vs. 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa
We don’t but know who will play left deal with for the Dolphins after starter Terron Armstead sustained a pectoral harm final week in opposition to Houston. It could possibly be Brandon Shell or it could possibly be Greg Little. What we all know is Bosa, the previous St. Thomas Excessive standout and one of many NFL’s prime defensive gamers, might be on the sphere. Bosa has 11.5 sacks, which is third within the NFL. He can single-handedly convey the Dolphins passing sport to a grinding halt together with his pass-rushing abilities.
The Dolphins don’t normally make use of most safety packages however they’ll need to make changes this week. Search for tight ends and operating backs to assist block Bosa. Don’t depend on the Dolphins rolling quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of the pocket to keep away from Bosa. It’d be too simple for defenders to tee off on him with a operating begin. Dealing with Bosa will come right down to fundamentals and method. And, simply as importantly, Tagovailoa persevering with to get the ball out of his fingers shortly. By the way in which, establishing a operating sport is important to minimizing Bosa’s impact as a result of it means the Dolphins go fewer instances.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel vs. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan
McDaniel is sweet associates with Shanahan, who employed him as San Francisco’s run-game coordinator and offensive coordinator the earlier 5 years. You realize every of those guys badly desires to beat the opposite one. However this can be a good teaching technique matchup. The trick is just not getting caught up within the private battle by doing one thing out of character, that means being too aggressive or too conservative.
There’s additionally the possibility of over-thinking the matchup, that means you pay an excessive amount of consideration to the opposite coach’s tendencies or attempt too arduous to foretell when he’ll buck his personal pattern. In different phrases, each coaches might be battling themselves to stay themselves and never do something loopy. The connection between McDaniel and Shanahan is extra of a private factor. However keep watch over the Xs and Os battle as a result of it’ll have an effect on the sport’s final result greater than the coaches’ friendship.
Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb vs. 49ers left deal with Trent Williams
Chubb was acquired to offer the Dolphins a fearsome go rush. Williams, an All Professional and nine-time Professional Bowl choice, routinely eliminates such threats. It is a key matchup for just a few causes. The 49ers are tenth in passing (234.2 yards per sport) and their receiving choices are potential game-changers amongst tight finish George Kittle, and extensive receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings.
Chubb should get previous Williams and be disruptive. It’s uncertain the Dolphins flip Chubb to the opposite facet to face 49ers proper deal with Mike McGlinchey. Chubb, who has 1.5 sacks in three video games with the Dolphins, will possible spend a whole afternoon in opposition to one of many sport’s greatest. It must be famous Chubb had two tackles and one sack when he matched up in opposition to Williams in Week 2, an 11-10 Denver victory over San Francisco.
Dolphins secondary vs. 49ers extensive receivers
The Dolphins secondary of cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou and safeties Jevon Holland and Eric Rowe could have loads of assist from different defensive backs similar to Verone McKinley III, Keion Crossen, Elijah Campbell, Justin Bethel, Clayton Fejedelem, and Noah Igbinoghene. We checklist so many as a result of at sure instances this season they’ve all performed a key position. The Dolphins have loads of choices in opposition to Samuel (44 receptions, 511 yards, two touchdowns), Aiyuk (51 receptions, 652 yards, six touchdowns), Jennings (24 receptions, 269 yards, one landing) and Kittle (36 receptions, 450 yards, 4 touchdowns).
go rush would be the Dolphins’ first line of protection. Past that, they’ll must make sure to present good protection, after all, however they’ll additionally must make sure to get Samuel on the bottom. He’s a robust receiver and arm tackles gained’t do the job. In the event that they don’t deal with Samuel he can slice up, or run by means of the protection for large performs. The Dolphins produced two interceptions final week (one by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel) and gained the Steelers sport with a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions. Such heroics may be required once more.
Dolphins offense vs. 49ers protection
The Dolphins are No. 3 in offense (386.7 yards per sport), and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leads the NFL’s No. 2 passing sport (291.9 yards per sport). Fueled by extensive receivers Tyreek Hill (league-leading 1,233 yards receiving) and Jaylen Waddle (963 yards receiving, fifth within the league), the Dolphins’ passing sport is the perfect facet of their offense. The 49ers have the NFL’s No. 1 protection (281.7 yards allowed per sport). They’re ranked No. 1 in opposition to the run (79.5 yards allowed per sport) and ranked eleventh vs. the go (202.3 yards allowed per sport). Their 33 sacks are tied for eighth within the league and their 9 interceptions are tied for ninth.
Sure, the Dolphins have scored a minimum of 30 factors in 4 consecutive video games. However their run sport is twenty eighth within the league (94.8 ypg). And within the Dolphins’ 30-15 victory over Houston final week the offense didn’t rating within the second half and solely produced two touchdowns, considered one of which noticed them begin their drive on the 3-yard line after an interception. By the way in which, the Dolphins are sixth in scoring (25.6 ppg) and the 49ers lead the league in scoring protection (15.7 ppg allowed). This matchup between the Dolphins offense and 49ers protection may determine the sport.
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