This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Miami Dolphins at Miami at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida. The Chiefs are starting their season with a 0-2 record and Miami with a mediocre 1-1. Both teams have suffered their fair share of injuries, especially Miami with injuries to star running back Knowshon Moreno, right tackle Shelley Smith and Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey.
The well documented problems Miami had protecting quarterback Ryan Tannehill last year, were top priority among team needs to be addressed during the off-season, but coming off the loss last Sunday to division rival Buffalo, last season’s struggles seemed to have resurfaced again with Tannehill being sacked 4 times during the game, additionally, Miami ‘s weakness in the middle was exposed which was compounded by the injury to starting right tackle Shelley Smith during the loss. Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles may be ready for the game this Sunday after nursing a high ankle sprain, however, the nature of this injury may render him at less than 100% for this Sunday’s contest.
Keys to the Game for The Dolphins
Miami should circumvent their offensive line weakness by incorporating roll outs, bootlegs and double back sets with recently re-signed running back, Daniel Thomas, as a fixture in the Dolphins backfield for pass blocking purposes, as well as lead blocking for either running back Lamar Miller or rookie back Damian Williams. Keeping the Chiefs defense off balance with a credible play action threat, will of course hinge on an effective running game. Having Thomas is the backfield in spite of his less than stellar running ability, will be especially important, because of the offensive line weakness in the middle and the loss of right tackle Smith, whose run blocking ability will be sorely missed while he’s out.
The Dolphins’ defense needs to be ready to defend against run heavy Kansas City and cover wide receiver Donnie Avery well. Trying to flush Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith out of the pocket with a 4 man rush may just have to be the answer in attempting to disrupt their passing game, since over committing in blitzes may prove to be costly for Miami with a quarterback like Smith, who can accurately pass on the run.
Final Score
The weather in Miami on Sunday is expected to be somewhat cooler for South Florida, than it was for the season opener against New England due to a rainy forecast. This will favor the running game on both sides therefore I'm predicting a lower scoring game. The fact that Miami will playing at home should be the difference in this game. My score prediction, Kansas City, 17, Miami Dolphins, 24.