The Miami Dolphins are 5-1 on the season, tied for one of the best file within the NFL by way of Week 6. Their reward for reaching that mark? A primetime matchup with one other of the 5-1 groups, on this case the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami kicks off towards the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday Night time Soccer tonight at 8:20 p.m. ET.
This recreation might be the sport of the week, and has the potential to be one of many video games of the yr. Two of the highest groups within the NFL, each sporting elite-level offenses, meet in primetime. What higher approach to finish the week’s Sunday slate of video games?
Tonight’s recreation is the sixteenth assembly all-time between the Dolphins and Eagles. Miami leads the sequence 9-6, together with profitable the final assembly 37-31 in Miami. This time, they’re enjoying in Philadelphia towards the reigning NFC champions.
Who’re the Eagles? I spoke to Brandon Lee Gowton from Bleeding Inexperienced Nation, SB Nation’s Eagles group web site, to get a more in-depth have a look at Philadelphia. We talked about what the New York Jets did final week to beat the Eagles, who Jalen Hurts is because the Philadelphia quarterback, and the chances for this recreation.
You may take a look at my aspect of the dialog as I answered questions in regards to the Dolphins right here:
The Eagles misplaced to the New York Jets final week, dropping to 5-1 on the yr. What labored for the Jets and may Miami exploit the identical points this weekend?
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The Jets’ defensive entrance gained their battle with the Eagles’ offensive line. New York actually benefited from Lane Johnson getting harm on Philly’s first drive. They feasted on Eagles backup proper sort out Jack Driscoll, who allowed a whopping eight pressures. The Jets have been capable of neutralize the Eagles’ operating recreation and power Jalen Hurts into some errors.
A number of the Jets’ success was based mostly in dangerous luck for the Eagles. Jake Elliott uncharacteristically missed a 37-yard area aim. Dallas Goedert bobbled a display go to create an interception. DeVonta Smith dropped two passes, together with one the place he was extensive open in the midst of the sector. I are inclined to assume the Eagles gained’t be that unfortunate once more.
The best way the Jets beat the Eagles isn’t the best way that I’m fearful in regards to the Dolphins beating the Eagles. The protection greater than lived as much as their finish of the discount final week however their banged up secondary goes to be examined by Miami’s passing assault. This week it’s actually on the offense to make up for final week’s failures and outpace the Dolphins’ scoring capacity.
Final week was clearly not quarterback Jalen Hurts’ greatest efficiency, however he has been sturdy often. What ought to we anticipate to see from him? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
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Yeah, it’s slightly bizarre as a result of he was having a fairly good recreation up till crashing and burning on the finish. The third-down interception he threw to Tony Adams could have been the worst choose of his profession. After which he couldn’t even handle to steer the Eagles to a primary down with an opportunity to go on a game-winning drive.
I anticipate him to bounce again. After an uneven begin to the season, it felt like Hurts was making constructive strides every week. He’s earned sufficient good thing about the doubt to say these final two drives aren’t indicative of what he’ll do transferring ahead. It is a participant who’s 22-2 in his final 24 begins.
Hurts’ strengths usually embrace making good selections and taking good care of the ball. He hasn’t been as sturdy in that regard just lately, which bears monitoring. Hurts has actually improved as a passer when it comes to accuracy. He’s additionally clearly a weapon to do injury together with his legs. His capacity to make performs out of construction places stress on the protection.
Hurts’ weaknesses embrace holding onto the ball for too lengthy. He really has the second-slowest common time to throw, solely forward of Justin Fields. It’s a stark distinction with Tua Tagovailoa’s league-leading fast launch. There are occasions when Hurts bails the pocket too early.
You need to assault the Eagles protection, offensive coordinator. What are you designing? The place can Miami discover success?
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If I’m the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, I’m trying to get the ball out fast to assist neutralize the Eagles’ defensive position. I’m additionally trying to take a look at the weak backbone of the Eagles’ protection. The Birds aren’t particularly sturdy at linebacker they usually’re beginning two backups at security.
I do know the Dolphins wish to run the ball and I wouldn’t abandon that method completely. However I’ve to say the Eagles will in all probability really feel prefer it’s a win each time the Dolphins aren’t making an attempt to go.
The pondering right here is that the Eagles should be aggressive and keen to surrender large performs with the hope that they will generate some takeaways. They’re not going to beat the Dolphins by forcing Miami to go on lengthy drives and easily take what’s beneath. And so I’m anticipating the Dolphins to attempt to make the Eagles pay for being aggressive by trying to find explosive alternatives down the sector.
The Dolphins are on a run by way of NFC groups proper now, having performed the New York Giants in Week 5, the Carolina Panthers final week, and now the Eagles. These aren’t groups Miami usually sees. Who’s a participant on offense Dolphins gamers could not know, however will make an affect on this recreation? On protection?
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Offense: Powerful to select an under-the-radar participant on offense because the Eagles have numerous recognizable names there. I might go together with Olamide Zaccheaus however I believe he’s going to be WR4 with the Eagles unexpectedly signing Julio Jones this week. I’m intrigued to see what Jones’ function seems like in his this recreation. As of me typing this sentence, it’s not completely clear if he’ll really play. However I’m guessing he’ll. And I might see him making a giant play or two as WR3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
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Protection: Milton Williams is the participant to be careful for on protection. He’s overshadowed by extra prolific teammates at his place comparable to Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis. However Williams is able to producing stress and being a dependable run-stuffer. The sensation right here is that producing inside disruption is the Eagles’ key to slowing down the Dolphins’ offense so it’s potential Williams can contribute in that regard.
This recreation is hovering across the Eagles favored by 2.5 factors, in line with DraftKings Sportsbook. I do know the Dolphins have made noise this yr, particularly on offense, however the Eagles are the reigning NFC champions and a group trying like the category of the convention once more this yr. Do you assume the Dolphins and Eagles are that even? Do you assume that is over or beneath the 52-point complete?
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I’ve numerous respect for this Dolphins group. I’ve been in on them since watching them actually outshine the Eagles in final yr’s joint coaching camp follow.
I do assume these groups are even when it comes to being in the identical tier as legit Tremendous Bowl contenders. We might conceivably see this actual matchup happen once more in February.
I do just like the Eagles to win this recreation as a result of I believe they’re going to be motivated to show final week was uncharacteristic. The Linc goes to be juiced up and that might give Miami some points with regards to their pre-snap motions, identical to it was when the Dolphins performed in Buffalo.
Talking of that recreation, I really feel like lots of people have been fast to leap on the Dolphins getting 2.5 factors on the street in that one. I really feel like the identical factor is occurring once more this week. And, regardless of that, the unfold has stayed the identical. The road is telling me that the Eagles are going to win this recreation. Or at the very least it’s going to be very shut, which I believe it is going to.
At first thought, I do just like the over because it looks like that is going to be a shootout. However the Eagles would possibly attempt to shorten the sport by happening lengthy drives to maintain the Dolphins’ offense off of the sector. So, in that case, the over may not be as simply achievable. However I’ll nonetheless lean that approach since I believe there’s going to be numerous scoring.
