Right 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 sport at Laborious 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 obtained 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 sport.
The Browns are twenty second in opposition to the run. They'll take a run sport out in the event that they construct an early lead and management time of possession with their very own floor sport. Of 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 sport, there ought to 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 normal means 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 presumably the league’s prime No. 2 operating again, and he’s going for 4 yards per carry. The Browns have 5 Professional Bowls between their two guards, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.
The Dolphins fell all the way in which 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. Towards the Bears, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert have been held to a mixed 2.8 yards per carry. The basics in tackling and angles in pursuit nonetheless must be sharper. Edge: Browns
When the Dolphins move: Miami has put itself up there with essentially the most electrical passing assaults within the NFL. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on fireplace with a league-leading passer ranking (115.9). He's coming off the very best two-game stretch of his profession, finishing 75 p.c 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 gathered by way of a group’s first 9 video games within the Tremendous Bowl period. The move safety for Tagovailoa can be settling in with Terron Armstead and Brandon Shell on the two deal with spots.
It is going to have to 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 probably line up a bit extra in entrance of Armstead. Two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward could possibly be in line to return from concussion for the Browns’ Fifteenth-ranked move protection. Changing third downs, the place Tagovailoa has been cash, will likely be key in not permitting Cleveland to win time of possession with its floor sport. Edge: Dolphins
When the Browns move: Jacoby Brissett revenge sport? The South Florida product who as soon as starred at Dwyer Excessive in Palm Seaside Gardens and spent final season with the Dolphins returns dwelling as a starter instead of the suspended Deshaun Watson. Brissett is finishing 63.9 p.c of passes for 1,862 yards, seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions, an 86.8 passer ranking.
Complementing the run sport, Brissett truly 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. Persevering with with the South Florida connections, Miami Northwestern Excessive product Amari Cooper is having a strong season with 39 receptions for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns, as is former College of Miami tight finish David Njoku (34 receptions, 418 yards, landing).
The brand new pass-rushing tandem of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips will get its second sport collectively. The hope for Miami is cornerback Xavien Howard finds his rhythm after he gave up a landing to Darnell Mooney in the course of the Bears sport and had what would’ve been his first interception of the season negated by a maintain. It will likely be fascinating to see if the Dolphins stick to 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
Particular groups: The Dolphins obtained a giant play from their particular groups in opposition to the Bears. Phillips got here by way of with the blocked punt, and Andrew Van Ginkel recovered it for the landing.
However then there was the weekly blunder — this time, Jason Sanders lacking a 29-yard subject objective for his first miss from inside 50 yards. Browns kicker Cade York has additionally missed 4 subject targets on the season. Edge: Even
Intangibles: The Browns are coming off their bye, but it surely additionally sort of stunted some momentum they could have been choosing up from their Monday night time win over the Bengals their final trip. The Dolphins return dwelling after back-to-back street wins and are on a three-game profitable streak, however they have 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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