Miami Dolphins Vs Baltimore Ravens: 6 Pack Of Key Match Ups
The Miami Dolphins host the Baltimore Ravens in week 14, seeking to knock off the 7-5 Ravens and gain another conference victory, helping improve their playoff hopes immensely. The Dolphins need to get of to a fast start at home against the Ravens if they are to avenge last year’s 3 point loss. The Ravens are fresh off a devastating loss where they saw the San Diego Chargers charge back in the fourth quarter last week, the Ravens understand the importance of this game, this will be a game that is hard fought tooth and nail. This game has a multitude of playoff implications, a victory here would put the Miami Dolphins in a great position down the stretch.
In order for the Miami Dolphins to earn a victory, a few match-ups will have to go their way, but a few seem to stand out more than others making up this week’s Key Match Ups 6 Pack.
Match Up 1: Terrell Suggs vs. Ja’Wuan James
Suggs terrorized the Dolphins last year and was really the first premier pass rusher to expose the Dolphins flaws up front last season. James has been a stalwart for the Dolphins this year as a rookie. First he established himself as a burgeoning elite right tackle prospect and is now proving to be more than competent at left tackle, helping the Fins not miss a beat after their Pro Bowl LT Branden Albert went down with injury. Playing a position he hasn’t played since high school, James has fended off some elite pass rushers the past few weeks in Jerry Hughes, Von Miller, & DeMarcus Ware; this round against Suggs may be his biggest test in a pressure packed match up that holds so many playoff implications. The Dolphins are going to need a big day protecting their QB and opening holes up front for the running game and it will start with James.
Match Up 2: Dallas Thomas vs Elvis Dumervil
Abused by Mario Williams, Dallas Thomas has improved a lot the past two weeks. This week he meet a demon of a pass rusher who gives tackles fits with his speed to power rush that feeds off of leverage from Dumervil’s stout stature. On paper, Thomas should be able to uses his reach advantage and sheer size to wear down the veteran, but Elvis has remained in the NFL building by playing with a chip on his shoulder so big that it mitigates size deficiencies. With the focus of the game plan to be likely on Suggs, Thomas will need to win his individual match up for the Dolphins to be successful. The Dolphins would be wise to run the football at Dumervil consistently to help Thomas have a chance at wearing the vet down.
Match Up 3: Olivier Vernon Vs. Eugene Monroe
Vernon is all hustle and always makes his presence felt regardless of if it shows on the stat sheet. But when his performance is reflected on paper, the Dolphins have had a big day on defense. Vernon serves as a catalyst to the Dolphins D, he anchors the run as good as anyone in the league and when he is a force rushing the passer, all of the sudden Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, Derrick Shelby, Earl Mitchell & Cam Wake look that much more dominant up front. Monroe has been a force blocking for the Ravens this year and will be a test.
Match Up 4: Lamar Miller vs CJ Mosely
Lamar Miller has quietly put together an effective year. He’s run with more power and vision than he has at any time of his career and the consistency is starting to show. That said, Miller is due for a monster game. If Miller is to solidify his spot as the Dolphins tailback of the future, he is going to have to take over some games. What better time to do so than on the stretch run to the playoffs? Mosley has been a stud as a rookie and has reinvigorated the Ravens front seven with his sideline to sideline nature. Mosley will be responsible for keeping the running game at bay and will likely see coverage duty against Miller when he sneaks out of the backfield. Miller needs to win this match up for the Dolphins to be successful because the Fins fast starts can be correlated to a fast start in the running game which sets up their whole offensive repertoire.
Match Up 5: Jelani Jenkins vs Justin Forsett
Jenkins has been a revelation this season and is a tackle machine. The clean up guy in the Dolphins defense, Jenkins will be responsible for filling run lanes and stopping the Ravens cutback runners in their running game. Plus as the Fins’ best cover linebacker, he will be asked to cover the Ravens backs that are utilized heavily in the passing game. Forsett has been a miracle for the Ravens this year, out of football last season, he is having a monster year but enters this weeks match up a little gimpy. The Dolphins need to take advantage of this and shut him down as the Ravens offense is centered around play action. top the run, stop the Ravens, simple, but easier said than done.
Match Up 6: Ryan Tannehill vs. The Big Play
Ryan Tannehill has been playing very good football this year, improving in all aspects of the game across the board. The Miami Dolphins are one of the hardest teams in the league to beat. Tannehill just needs to continue the development and become consistent, only he can make that happen, it’s up to him. The only thing holding Tannehill back from making the leap to elite quarterback status is consistently hitting the big play down the field. His struggles with the deep pass have been chronicled through out his career, against one of the worst secondaries in the league, Tannehill has to take advantage of that and utilize his multitude of weapons down the field and gain chunk yards, instead of having to nickel and dime their way for a score.
FINS UP!