Week 2: Miami vs. Dallas

The Miami Dolphins enter week 2 with more questions looming over their heads than they did entering week 1 against the Skins.

The Dallas Cowboys on the other hand are currently sitting with top ranked scoring offense in the league.  O.k., it’s after 1 game.

This game is a battle of former San Diego assistants.  Cam Camerons’ offense against Wade Phillips defense.  Last year, both were their respective coordinators for the Bolts.

Phillips has previous HC experience and last week the clock management style of Cameron showed how little experience he has.  One game may have woke him up, but whether it woke up a sleeping giant or snoring mouse remains to be seen.   –  Edge goes to the Cowboys.

On Offense:

The Dolphins had it bad last week against a team that last year could not stop the run.  This week they play a Dallas unit who gave up 124 on the ground.  However, the Dolphins offensive line is not as good as the Giants line is and if Cam Cameron decides to under use Ronnie Brown again, it is not likely that Miami will find much success this week.  Jesse Chatman has been limping this week and his status at this time is unclear for the game.

The Dolphins offensive line needs to block 100 percent better.  They did fine for the most part in terms of pass protection, but it is in the trenches when you push forward and not real back that the game is won or lost.  The Oline has been an ongoing problem with the Dolphins since 2003 and it seems that nothing Miami does seems to fix it.  They will again this weekend face a front 7 that will try and push upfield continually.

Dallas did not show defensively that they are that good, but they have the opportunity to be good, and on paper should have played much better.  The Cowboys still do not know if they will have DB Terrence Newman back, but they do know they will not have Jason Ferguson in the front 7 as he was lost for the year.

Whereas the Dolphins will have to bang it out and try and work the Dallas front down, it is in the passing game that they can do the most damage.  The Cowboys gave up 309 yards in the air to the Giants, Miami would do well with about 250 of those…plus a running game.  Miami will have to get better performances out of Booker, Chambers, and Martin, and really could use the speed of Ted Ginn to stretch the field.  A down-field attack will open up the underneath passing lanes, the TE screens, and the running game.  If Cameron stays too close to his chest on this one, he will get beat, and get beaten badly.  The passing game will win this one, but they need to be an all around unit to do it, passing opens up the run, running opens up the passing, score!  It sounds simple, and it could be if the execution is there.

Perhaps the biggest offensive threat for the Dolphins is themselves.  False starts, holding, intentional grounding, dropped 1st down receptions…Miami can not afford those costly mistakes.

On Defense:

The task last week of stopping QB Jason Campbell was a walk in the park compared to stopping Terrell Owens and Tony Romo.  Last week, Miami ultimately failed, and although Campbell did not have a huge day, it was the coverage breakdowns that allowed the Redskins to win.  Have a coverage breakdown against this offense, and the completions will not just be for 20 some odd yards, they will be for 7…as in touchdown.

The Dolphins once again will attempt to control the line of scrimmage, a task that last week they could not do.  Julius Jones and Marion Barber III will be the two headed monster replacing Portis and Betts.  Pressure up the middle will force the Cowboys to keep a back in on passing plays, that helps with the run recognition.  Stop the run and force them to pass may not be a good idea.  Romo can move in the pocket and will use his legs to buy time.  He does not get nervous in the pocket and he will wait for plays to develop and his receivers to get open, but show him an open lane, and then you will be chasing him down.

The front 7 for the Dolphins left quite a few question marks on the Fed Ex Field last week.  Unable to stop the Wash. running attack in OT, the Cowboys will surely breakdown that film and will likely use the same style of attack.  The humidity and heat of south Florida will be hard on both teams, traditionally, it’s harder on the visitors.  After last week, I am not so sure that the Dolphins defenders, especially guys like Traylor will not be as effected as the Cowboys.

If the Dolphins can provide significant pressure on Romo, then Zach and Crowder again will have big statistical games.  This time they will have to be ready in case Romo runs instead of hanging back.  The Dolphins are not going to find it easy to stop the run if they do not play to their expected ability.  The line of the Cowboys is good.  It remains to be seen if they are better than what Miami faced last week.

The secondary for the Dolphins will find a rough go of it, however, with the injury to Terry Glenn, the Dolphins DBs’ only need to really worry about TO.  Look for a shadow safety help on the TO coverage.  Travis Daniels should have an easier time this week covering Patrick Crayton than Randal-El.  Will Allen will get the job of covering TO, and he will need help.  Owens is bringing his act to Miami and it will be interesting to see what that act entails.  Hopefully the Dolphins will come up with a plan to stop him.

The Cowboys don’t care if they run the ball or pass it, so long as it moves forward and not backwards.  They will throw it and they will run it, whichever gives them the most success they will use that to set up the other.

Miami has to be at the top of this game and not let the results of last week get into their heads.  If the Dolphins go out thinking that they have to outperform the Cowboys they will lose, and they will lose bad.  If they go out and play fundamental football and take advantage of what is given to them, they could win. The offense may find more success this week than the defense if the defense can not put pressure on Romo.  That is the entire key to the game.

Special Teams: So far there has been nothing special about either team.  If Ginn is to be involved in this game then he needs to start using every opportunity to give Miami the best possible field position.  That means on punts and kick-offs.  Short fields are good for every team in the league, for a team like Miami, short fields can sometimes make a huge difference in the outcome of a game.

Since we are talking about field position, that duty could be shouldered by Brandon Fields.  Patrick Crayton is listed as the PR guy and last week he returned 2 punts for 7 yards.  The Dallas special teams are nothing special.  Nick Folk is their kicker and he is unproven over time.

Predictions:  I would love to be positive and say that Miami is going to win this game.  Originally I predicted they would.  After last week, I do not think that this team is ready yet to compete with a team that can score points like the Cowboys.

Miami could win this game, but this is not a game that they should win, on paper.  Last week, the Dolphins did nothing to help the Cowboys in the NFC East, this week, I don’t think they will help the Redskins.  Dallas – 31 – Miami 17.