As I'm writing this, Fox Sports has reported that Broncos TE Julius Thomas will NOT play today due to his ankle injury. If this is true, this is huge news for the Miami defense. Thomas poses numerous threats to this Miami defense, and with him Miami can put more of a focus on WR's Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
As for the game, here are the keys for the Dolphins:
1. Contain the crowd: This is the first home game for the Broncos in a month, so you can expect a ferocious crowd out of the gate. It will be crucial for the Dolphins to control the tempo of this game and not let it get out of hand at the beginning. If you get the ball, drive it down field and put up points. If you're on defense, hold them to a FG at least. Don't let them gain momentum at the start.
2. Run creatively: I touched on this earlier this week, so I'll keep this short.. In order to beat the Broncos, you have to run the football. I expect Ryan Tannehill to run the read option today, and I expect OC Bill Lazor to mix in some creative run calls throughout the game. In order to beat Peyton, you have to play keep away.. How do you play keep away? Run the ball.
3. Fast start for Tannehill: This is something I've picked up over the past few weeks, and it's something both Bill Lazor and Joe Philbin have touched on recently as well... Ryan Tannehill is a very hot and cold QB, as everybody very well knows. Over the past month, the Dolphins have allowed Tannehill to get off to fast starts by giving him some easy throws out of the gate, like last week when he started 8-9 on the first drive. I think they do the same thing today. Let Tannehill gain some confidence at first, and let him settle in to this huge game.
4. Expose the weaknesses: The weakness here being the Broncos offensive line. They're awful. They're, according to Mark Shelerath, "horrendous." The Miami front four MUST break through them today, get to Peyton, and throw his timing off. This is the biggest key to this game, because when Peyton has time to throw, well, they don't call him "The Sheriff" for nothing.
5. RED ZONE SUCCESS: It's in all caps for a reason.. This, single handedly, has been the Miami Dolphins biggest achilles heel of 2014. Offensively, they can get there, but can't finish the job. Defensively, teams don't get there a lot, but when they do, they score. When Miami gets inside the 20 today, field goals simply won't cut it, especially with the wind in Denver (20-25 MPH today). Score touchdowns, and hold Peyton to FG's.. Simple, right?
PREDICTION
Nobody is picking Miami to win this game. Not locally, not nationally, no one. I understand, too. Denver is coming off an embarrassing loss, and playing their first home game in a month. People expect them to be angry, and to be out for blood.
But this Dolphins team doesn't get blown out. The defense is too good and prideful to let that happen. I expect Denver to win today, mainly because it's in Denver, but don't be surprised to see this Dolphins team shock the world. I certainly won't.
Final: Broncos 27 Dolphins 23
Alright, look for more pre game coverage right before kickoff as I'll have any last minute news for both teams, including the inactives.
Then, after you read that, come back during the game for the live blog.
Three hours.
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