Miami Dolphins will face a key match-up with Khalil Mack on Sunday

Miami is looking to shake off two consecutive losses with a big home win against the Chicago Bears.

There are several keys to a Miami Dolphins victory on Sunday but it is not going to be easy. Here are my key match-ups for this Sunday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Khalil Mack vs Ja’Waun James

Khalil Mack is the best defensive player in football right now. He has 5 sacks on the season so far with 4 forced fumbles. He is a one man wrecking crew. Ja’Waun James will be responsible for keeping Mack from disrupting the offense and that is one tall task for anyone, no matter who it is. James has had a decent season, but not near what he is capable of doing on the field. He will need to play the best game of his career to keep Mack out of the backfield and off Ryan Tannehill.

Akiem Hicks vs Jesse Davis/Travis Swanson/Ted Larsen

While all the attention has been on Mack, Hicks has quietly had a good start to the young season. Hicks already has 3 sacks on the season and is a great complimentary pieces to Mack’s explosive play. Jesse Davis is a good guard in this league, but didn’t have the best game against the Bengals. He needs to rebound. Swanson and Larsen need to play better overall to keep Hicks from wrecking Miami’s running/passing game.

Kyle Long vs Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor

We go back to the trenches for our third matchup. I truly believe that this game will be won and lost with the play of the offensive and defensive lines. Miami’s defensive duo of Godchaux and Taylor have been very good to start the season and should continue to thrive against the Bears offensive line. Kyle Long is a great player for the Bears and will be charged with keeping Miami’s young tackles from wrecking Mitch Trubisky’s day. If Godchaux and Taylor can keep the pressure on Long and force him to make mistakes, Miami will be able to put the young signal caller in some tough situations.

Kenny Stills vs Prince Amukamara

Kenny Still has been quiet over the last few games, specifically the ones where Miami lost. Miami needs their deep threat to get consistent separation to give Tannehill an option downfield. Amukamara has had a decent season and will look to keep Stills bottled up. I think this is going to be a great matchup to keep an eye on since I believe that Stills has more talent than Amukamara and should be able to break free early and often in this game. If it goes the other way, however, Miami will have even more issues to deal with.