Miami Dolphins

 

Record: 1-0

Offensive Rank (Total Yards): 25th

Defensive Rank (Total Yards): 9th

Injuries: QB Pat Devlin Out, CB Jamar Taylor Out, CB Will Davis Out and CB Dimitri Patterson Questionable.

 

 

Indianapolis Colts

 

Record: 1-0

Offensive Rank (Total Yards): 26th

Defensive Rank (Total Yards): 20th

Injuries: RB Vick Ballard Out, WR David Reed Out, TE Dwayne Allen Questionable, LB Erik Walden Questionable, LB Jerrell Freeman Questionable and LB Kavell Connor Questionable.

 

Keys to the Game

Miami:

1. Get the running game going
2. Pressure Luck
3. Tannehill’s consistency

Look, twenty yards rushing by the Miami Dolphins is not acceptable. It doesn’t matter where you want to place the blame, but if they show up Sunday and are one dimensional they will not win. The Colts secondary is better than the Browns, and throwing the ball every play will not work. Mike Wallace’s speed will keep the Colts secondary honest, but it won’t help if there is no running game.

The speed of the Dolphins defense this year could be elite. They will need to uses that team speed to make Luck uncomfortable in the pocket on Sunday. Cam Wake picked up right where he left off last season, and could make a push for Defensive Player of the Year if he keeps his game up. Wake had two and a half sacks on his own last week and the Dolphins defense collectively picked up six. Indianapolis needs to bring their A game Sunday or Luck will be watching Monday Night Football from the ice tub.

Tannehill had a nice day last Sunday going 24 for 38, 278 yards, one touchdown and one pick. That is a good day for Tannehill, and he is living up to his expectations thus far. If Miami’s pass protection holds up, Tannehill can have an even better day against the Colts. Mike Wallace has had great days against Vontae Davis when he still played for Pittsburgh, so he should bounce back this week. Brian Hartline may also be one of the most underrated possession receivers in the NFL. If Tannehill can keep his poise, convert needed third-downs and hit his playmakers Miami will pick up win number two.

Indianapolis:

1. Protect Luck
2. Stop the run
3. Use Luck’s mobility

If the Colts offensive line play against Miami like they did the Raiders, Coach Pagano will be visiting Andrew Luck in the hospital. The Dolphins pass rush is like the Fast and the Furious series, but take away Paul Walker and add much more Vin Diesel. The Colts line has to step up to win. It’s as simple as that.

Make the Dolphins one dimensional. Put the game in Ryan Tannehill’s hands. Tannehill is no slouch, but he also isn’t a stud like Luck is. The more antsy Tannehill gets in the pocket and doesn’t have the ability to lean on the running game, Tannehill starts to make mistakes.

Andrew Luck has the same athletic ability as Cam Newton. It doesn’t make sense, but if you believe Luck’s Combine stats he registers equally. Use Luck’s mobility to get Luck away from the Dolphins pressure. Use the read-option to get the fast Miami linebackers to over pursue, and get some big yards off the backside.

Prediction

Miami 24 Indianapolis 21

I believe Miami will get their run game started, Mike Wallace will have a Mike Wallace day and the Dolphins defensive line will get the best of the Colts line. Regardless of who actually wins it will be a competitive and close game. This will be a great game to watch on Sunday afternoon.