It's game day (night) in South Florida, as the Miami Dolphins, losers of four straight, welcome in one of the hottest teams in football, the Cincinnati Bengals.
This is basically the season tonight for the Dolphins. If they want to get back into the playoff race, this is the game that must get them back in the win column.
The state of the locker room is also teetering. As I reported yesterday, starting RT Jonathan Martin left the team after a practical joke gone wrong yesterday afternoon. He will NOT play tonight.
Starting LG Richie Incognito told reporters today that, in order to win games, they need to run the ball "30, 40 times a game." This is coming off the heels of a report following the Patriots loss saying that members of the locker room are beginning to question OC Mike Sherman's game plan.
So, how does ALL of this get fixed?
WIN TONIGHT.
Here's how:
1. Stick to the game plan: The play calling in the first half on Sunday was brilliant. Miami was running the ball effectively, stuck to it, and went into the locker room up 17-3. Then, for some reason, Mike Sherman abandoned the run in the second half, and slowly (actually, pretty quickly) watched his two TD lead turn into a 10 point loss. Lamar Miller is a GOOD running back! Use him early, use him often, and reap the benefits.
2. Win the trench battle: I realize this may be asking a lot, especially given the state of the offensive line, but trench play is SO key in every football game. This is more so for the Miami defensive front, and especially Cam Wake. It's been nearly two months since we saw a healthy, dominant Wake, and that needs to end tonight if Miami wants to have any chance of winning. Between Wake, Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, and Olivier Vernon/Dion Jordan, this defensive line MUST be a force tonight.
3. Exploit the matchups you're supposed to exploit: The one I want to look at here is Charles Clay against the Cincinnati linebackers. Clay has been quiet the last few weeks, but leads the team with 3 TD's this season and has shown big play ability. With Ryan Tannehill struggling, expect him to lean heavily on Clay, especially with young WR Rishard Matthews the new slot receiver in place of Brandon Gibson. Watch for a big game from Clay tonight.
4. Take some chances: Last week was the perfect time to do this. Up by 14, on the road, against New England. I expected AT LEAST one or two deep throws to Mike Wallace, or SOMETHING to try to put the dagger in Tom Brady. But nothing but slant passes and sacks. If the Fins get up tonight, at home, on national TV, they need to go for the kill.
5. Put together a full 60 minutes: I wrote about this yesterday, and I'll reiterate again here. This was the difference last week, it was the difference against Buffalo, and it was the difference against Baltimore. Lamar Miller hit on it yesterday, and I've been saying it for weeks now. Playing a solid football game, from the first quarter to the final quarter, will be the difference in 4-4, and 3-5.
PREDICTION
For some reason, these Miami Dolphins always play Cincinnati tough. In-fact, a much less talented team went there last year and won. The problem with that theory is, Miami teams of the past were much more physical than this year's team. Whenever the Fins get into a battle with a physical team like the Bengals, they usually win. However, I just don't know if I can see that happening tonight. Home field will help, especially at night, and Joe Philbin's team is desperate. But until I see a win, I can't predict one.
Final: Bengals 24 Dolphins 17
Check back right before the game for any last minute news, including the inactives for both teams.
The live blog will be up and running tonight, so make sure to follow it!
GO FINS
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