Kickoff is set for 4:05 today here on the East Coast as the Fins and Cardinals are set to go at it from Arizona. Until then, lets get week four in the NFL started nice and early here at the Dolphinsider and break down today's game. Enjoy.
WHO HAS THE EDGE:
When the Dolphins run the ball: This is where the Fins are going to have to try and win this game today. Reggie Bush is expected to play (I doubt he would have made the trip if he wasn't going to), but if he doesn't, rookie Lamar Miller and second year man Daniel Thomas must establish the run game. The Cardinals defense ranks 18th in the league at stopping the run, and if the Dolphin offensive line performs like they have the previous three weeks then Miami's 4th ranked rushing attack should expose this throughout the day. EDGE: Dolphins
When the Cardinals run the ball: Miami must dominate in this category all day today, and they absolutely should. The Fins boast the league's 3rd ranked rushing defense, allowing a measly 66 yards per game on the ground, and they haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in 17 straight games. This, on top of the fact that Beanie Wells is sidelined with a toe injury, should lead to a dominating day in the trenches for the Fins. EDGE: Dolphins
When the Dolphins pass the ball: Ryan Tannehill has struggled with accuracy through the first three weeks of the season, as he's only completed 52.9% of his passes. However, with that being said, the big thing today for Tannehill will be to NOT TURN THE BALL OVER. The game last week took a turn for the worse when the rookie made a rookie-esque decision early in the third quarter and threw a pick six to LaRon Landry. The Dolphins cannot afford to give the Cardinals any type of momentum like that today, especially on the road. With a rookie QB, combined with Arizona's 9th ranked pass defense, the Fins must be cautious today through the air. EDGE: Cardinals
When the Cardinals pass the ball: Kevin Kolb should not scare this Dolphin defense. Carson Palmer and Matt Shaub pose greater threats than Kolb does, however, that being said, the Arizona QB does have something that should scare Miami: Larry Fitzgerald. The Fins secondary could be in serious trouble today if Fitzgerald is not contained, something most teams cannot do, and I believe this is where the game will be won or loss. The Cardinals passing offense ranks near the bottom of the league at 29th, while the Fins passing defense ranks 28th, so these are two teams who struggle through the air. If the Fins can contain Fitzgerald, then they will be way ahead of the game. EDGE: Even
PREDICTION: I don't see this game being as far out of the Fins reach as many are predicting. Based on statistics alone, Miami should be in this one till the end. If they can shut down the Cardinal rushing attack, something I expect they'll do, and run the ball effectively on offense, something I also expect them to do, then this one could be tight heading into the fourth quarter. However, the big unknown in this one will be with rookie QB Ryan Tannehill, and more importantly his protection of the football. IF he can limit the turnovers, and when I say limit I mean none, then this could be an upset in the making for the Fins. Unfortunately, I gotta see it to believe it.
Final: Dolphins 20 Cardinals 23
Come back later before kickoff to get any last minute updates from Arizona, including a full report on the status of RB Reggie Bush. And don't forget to follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog throughout the game. I should be able to do it this week, we'll see.
Go Fins!
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