Miami Dolphins Vs Detroit Lions: 6 Pack Of Key Match Ups
The Miami Dolphins visit the Detroit Lions today. The Fins enter this game above .500, riding a high after shellacking the Chargers last week to extend their winning streak to 3 games. This game will pit 2 of the league’s best defenses against one another but that doesn’t mean there won’t be offensive fireworks in today’s game. While many figure this game to be a defensive battle, both teams have plenty of offensive firepower to present a challenge to the opposing defense. Detroit is coming off of their bye week and are hosting this game, so figure them to be prepared for the Dolphins read option that has been working like a charm over the past 5 games. This game could prove to be a spring board for the Dolphins’ season down the stretch, the Fins need to be on point to pick up their forth road victory in Detroit, a few things will have to take place on the field for this victory to transpire, leading me to this weeks’ 6 pack of key match-ups.
Match up 1: Dolphins Pass Rush vs. Matthew Stafford
The Miami Dolphins pass rush has been the catalyst for the entire defense to be playing the way it has been recently. Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon form one of the best pass rushing tandems in the league and while teams are aware of their status, they still can’t stop them from playing at a high level. The Lions are a team that rely mainly on the passing game, so look for them to put the ball in Stafford’s hands early and often to try and utilize his compliment of playmakers with Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson returning from injury. Detroit’s offensive line is not particularly good, so look for the Dolphins to bring the heat and disrupt the timing of the offense.
Match up 2: Charles Clay vs. Lions Linebackers
The Lions have done a good job of masking their deficiencies on defense and getting past the season ending injury to veteran leader Stephen Tulloch. This week though, the Lions second level of defense will be tested with Charles Clay rounding into form, getting healthy, and once again becoming the dynamic playmaker that earned him the moniker “Big Play” Clay. Figure for the Lions to try and match up their best linebacker DeAndre Levy up against Clay and if I was a betting man, I’d put my money on Clay having a handful of catches and at least one big play.
Match up 3: Mike Pouncey vs. Ndamukong Suh
Tannehill is going to need time to throw the football. The Dolphins are facing one of the best defenses in the league and for the Lions that distinction starts up front with their star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh presents a match up nightmare for most teams in the NFL but the Miami Dolphins are well suited with their best linemen in guard Mike Pouncey going up against Suh all game. This should be one of the more enjoyable trench wars to watch of the season.
Match up 4: Brent Grimes vs. Calvin Johnson
Megatron returns from injury to pose a major headache for the Miami Dolphins secondary. Grimes is likely to draw the assignment of covering the league’s best wide receiver for most of the game. On paper this is a huge mis-match in the Lions favor due to Johnson’s towering frameover Grimes, but Grimes plays much bigger than his size and has experience defending taller receivers. This should be an interesting match up and Grimes will have to receive help from his safeties and pass rush.
Match up 5: Dolphins Special Teams vs. Lions Special Teams
The Dolphins special teams have been a scary roller coaster ride. They have yet to put together a solid all around game, the kicking game has been suspect with Brandon Fields shanking punts and Caleb Sturgis missing field goals like nobody’s business. Jarvis Landry has been great on kick off returns winning the special teams player of the month award, it’s time for him to take a kick back to the house. The Dolphins can’t leave any points on the field or hidden yardage behind in what’s expected to be a defensive battle.
Match up 6: Jelani Jenkins vs. Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush returns from injury to take on his former team and the Miami Dolphins are well aware of his versatility and explosiveness. The Lions offensive line hasn’t been great this year in run blocking, so Bush’s best opportunities to hurt the Fins will be in the passing game. Jelani Jenkins the Dolphins surprise hero on defense will likely draw the assignment of shadowing Bush and Theo Riddick out of the bacfiled when they engage in pass routes. Jenkins will have to be on his A game and tackle well, so not to let these scat backs break free in space.
Look for the Dolphins to win their fourth game in a row and continue the winning streak! Fins Up!