Miami Dolphins Vs Green Bay Packers: 6 Pack Of Key Match Ups
The Miami Dolphins enter this Week 6 match up well rested, mostly healthy, and with a chance to give their home crowd a treat by beating the Green Bay Packers. This is an interesting opponent for the Dolphins as they face off against a team they rarely play against and one that has a high powered offense.
The Dolphins defense and running game will play a vital role in today’s game and if the Dolphins can play extremely well in those two phases while playing a clean game overall, then the Dolphins have a great chance of securing a victory in front of their home town fans. In order for the Miami Dolphins to protect their home turf, a few match ups have to play out in their favor.
Match up 1: Ja’Wuan James vs. Julius Peppers
Ja’Juan James has been a treat for Dolphins fans this year. A first round pick who has come in from day 1 and played like a first round pick. Through the first quarter of the season James a been a model of consistency and has improved with every passing week. Only giving up one sack so far this year and playing exceptionally well in the run game, James faces his next test of the year in Julius Peppers. Peppers is an experienced vet who has shown he still has some of that athleticism that made him so special over the years.
Today’s game is a lot different than it used to be where the elite pass rushers were line up over the left tackle, now defenses are moving their pressure players all over the field, so expect to see a mixture of Clay Matthews and Nick Perry lined up over the rookie as the Packers staff will probably look to attack James‘ inexperience more often than Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert. Keeping Ryan Tannehill upright and paving the way for the running backs is going to be a major key to this game as the Dolphins are going to have to put points up on the board against a team that features a high powered offense like Green Bay.
Match up 2: Mike Wallace vs. Sam Shields
The Miami Dolphins are going to need big plays in this game if they want to win and there is no player on the Dolphins with a better skill set to deliver some fireworks than Mike Wallace. While Tramon Williams might be the Packers best cornerback, Sam Shields has the speed to match up with Wallace on a more consistent bases. While Shields has been prone to giving up some plays, he’s also very opportunistic and Tannehill is going to have to be diligent with the chances he takes for a big play.
Where Wallace can continue to deliver is with his extra effort plays, impacting the game with more than just catching a bomb down the sideline. Wallace needs to continue to run hard breaking tackles and making acrobatic catches like he has to open the season. A big day from Wallace opens up so many things for this offense, this is definitely a match up the Dolphins need to win.
Match up 3: Brent Grimes vs. Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson has been on an absolute tear to start this season, already having a 200 yard game under his belt. Nelson poses huge issues in the passing game as he is a great route runner, has sure hands, and has sneaky speed to beat a defense deep. The thing that seperate him from average wide recievers is his frame and physicality, Nelson is hard to bring down after the catch and when you think you have him covered, you don’t because he uses his size and girth to his advantage boxing out corners for the ball.
The Miami Dolphins number 1 corner, Brent Grimes is going to have his hands full most of the day because he is going to be defending a player who has at least 5 inches on him and out weighs him by 30 + pounds. Grimes is no stranger to defending bigger receivers as he’s done so his whole career with much success. Nelson is Rodger’s favorite receiver and if Grimes can diminish his effectiveness in today’s game then the Dolphins have a great chance of stifling the Packers aerial attack.
Match up 4: Olivier Vernon vs. David Bakhtiari
Against a player of Aaron Rodgers caliber, the only way to make sure he doesn’t have a huge game is to keep constant pressure on him. Vernon has gotten off to a slow start this season, so he is due for a break out game. Playing against a second year player in Bakhtiari who has yet to establish himself as an elite blindside protector, Vernon needs to dominate this match up for the Dolphins to make Rodgers consistently uncomfortable.
Vernon also will play an intricate part in setting the edge against the run, so Eddie Lacy doesn’t get on the perimeter where he can abuse smaller defenders who try to come up and tackle him.
Match up 5: Cameron Wake vs. Brian Bulaga
Very much in the same boat as Olivier Vernon, Cameron Wake is due for a monster game. After coming out like a man on fire in the home opener with 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, Wake has been contained in recent weeks. If the Dolphins are to rattle Aaron Rodgers’ cage today, the Fins are going to need consistent balanced pressure on the QB. Rodgers is gifted at moving around the pocket and extanding plays with his feet, so if the Dolphins can pinch him into the pocket for the most of the game and keep him from creating plays with his feet, the Fins will find themselves in a good spot on defense.
Match up 6: Dolphins Running Game vs. Packers Run Defense
This is the biggest match up in today’s game. The Packers have the worst run defense in the league and the Dolphins have one of the best run offenses in the league. If the Packers shut down the Dolphins running game, the Dolphins offense takes on an ineffective complexion. If the Dolphins are to take advantage of home field and wear out the Packers, the Fins will need to lean on a consistently effective run game. With the Dolphins anticipating the returns of Mike Pouncey and Knowshon Moreno, the prospects of having success pounding the football is great. If the Dolphins can run the football effectively behind the one two punch of Lamar Miller and Moreno, while protecting the football, they can put Tannehill in manageable situations in which he can succeed. Thus providing the Miami offense with the balance it requires to be an effective attack.
The recipe to beat the Packers is relatively simple, but the execution side of it is where the challange is presented. If the Dolphins can run the football, win the turnover margin, and hold Green Bay to field goals, the Dolphins have an excellent chance of winning this game and moving to 3-2 for the season. FINS UP!