Miami Dolphins defensive power rankings heading into Chiefs game

Baker will need to help stop the run for the Miami Dolphins to get pressure on Sunday.

4. LB Jerome Baker

Baker will surely find himself matched up against Kelce on multiple occasions, and with the presence of Hill it’ll more than likely be one-on-one. No one expects him to win every time, but if he can hold his own that’ll be better than nothing.

The main area where Baker will be needed is in the run game. Mahomes is a dynamic playmaker in his own right when shuffling out of the pocket, but the duo of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’veon Bell should worry the Phins. Frank Gore was able to gather 70+ scrimmage yards against the Phins two weeks back. Imagine what Bell and Edwards-Helaire could do if the Dolphins don’t emphasize stopping the running backs.

The Chiefs do a great job of having so many weapons and ways to use them that it thins out a defense, but if the Dolphins can contain the run game up front, then it will help slow down the offense and force them to throw.

Yes, the Chiefs do very good when they have to throw, but it can lead to more aggressive and creative rushes and pressures.

Baker will need to help contain the run game, especially early in the game, if the Dolphins want to be able to continually bring pressure without worrying about the threat of a potent ground game. This especially holds true when the Chiefs enter the red zone.