Kraig Urbik and Jay Ajayi will be at center stage in Miami’s attempt to put up points.
Since the O-Line is key to putting up points, Kraig Urbik will be center stage.
Over the last month of the season the Dolphins went 3-1, and were able to secure themselves a date with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the Playoffs. A main reason for the Dolphins going 3-1 over their last four games was because their Offense was scoring points.
We already went over the fact that the Dolphins defense has been playing dirt poor over the last 2 games, so let’s move on from the ‘dead horse’…
On the other side of the ball, QB Matt Moore and the Dolphins offense hasbeen carrying the load by putting points on the board. Over the last 4 games, the Dolphins have scored 108 points, which is 27 points per game average.
Truth is, even if the Dolphins ‘D’ steps up, to have any chance this weekend against a potent Steelers offense, Miami needs their Offensive to respond in kind and continue to produce…
…And as per the picture above, this is going to start once again with the Dolphins being able to run the ball.
Jay Ajayi was the main reason why the Dolphins were able to beat the Steelers earlier in the Season. He ran for 204 yards with an 8.2 yards per carry average and 2 touchdowns. Most pay per head bookie service fans are not betting on Ajayi being able to repeat this performance again on a Pittsburgh Defense that has improved over the last month of the season.
Points are more easily acquired when an offense isn’t forced into being one dimensional.
However, no one thought Ajayi would be able to put up another 200 plus yards on the Buffalo Bills, but he did in both of his games against the Bills.
One key to about the success or failure of rushing success happening is at the Center position.
Enter Kraig Urbik who will be replacing Mike Pouncey for this encounter.
In Week 6, it was Pouncey’s ability to get to the second level that was a big part of Ajayi tearing off chunk yardage.
I’ve had my concerns over the last few years with Pouncey: His high price tag, unending injuries, and lack of strength at the point of attack had me preferring that Miami move on from him.
But, to Adam Gase and the staff’s credit, they schemed the Zone-Stretch extremely well and put Pouncey into position to use his speed at the second level on most plays.
Isn’t it refreshing to have good coaching again!
So, for a time there was a Pouncey renaissance, and the old days seemed to be back.
Then, he got injured again.
Anthony Steen stepped back in, and then stepped out due to struggles.
Now, Urbik is the man. He has played better than solid. Urbik was at Center when Miami gashed the Bills for 200, so there is a lot of room for hope about Miami’s rushing fortunes this week.
Urbik doesn’t posses half the speed of Pouncey. But, Urbik is also a vet and offers more power at the point of attack than Pouncey. And while Urbik was drafted by the Steelers, which will give them an understanding of the player and help them scheme against him, Gase and Co. can scheme too.
Miami doesn’t expect Urbik to work the second level like Pouncey. So, it will be interesting to see how they scheme the run attack. They will surely compensate for Urbik’s weakness by using others to fill the role or alter techniques.
On offense, this will one of the more interesting aspects.
Miami has become an offensively lead team that has put up points.
Now, back to the conversation on points and some good news to go along with it.
Even though the Steelers have been one of the hottest teams in the league winning their last 7 games in a row, their defense has been vulnerable.
Over the last 4 games, the Steelers defense has allowed a total of 91 points, which comes to a 22.75 point per game average. So, Miami’s offense should be able to have success this upcoming Sunday, and be able to put points on the board.
Remember, the Pats have a top 5 Defense, but the Steelers fall into the 10-16th rank in all major defensive categories.
So, Miami can deliver points this week, and if the defense can come out strong to start this all off, the Dolphins can shock the world, once again. Go Fins!!!
26 has been the magic number for the Miami Dolphins this year. When the Dolphins score 26 or more points they are 9-0. I suspect they will need to do it again to beat Pittsburgh this Sunday.
If the offense scores 28 or more you have above an 80% chance of winning. Same goes for the defense. If they hold the opponent under 18 then you have better than 80% chance of winning, per PFF.
Still on the fence, but looking over Steelers defense gave me a bit of a lean toward Miami being able to upset them….still not there yet. Need to do some watching and drinking to get my feet settled. Think tonight is the night…now, if I can only convince my wife…
…I’m putting all my marbles on Miami’s winning ways this year after a blowout …now I’m old enough that I recognize that may not be all that many anymore …but that’s what’s in the pot, eh
…sweet aunt jemimah, what a season it would be if we actually won a playoff game 🙂
Two things ….maybe three things have me leaning towards Miami:
1) Steelers have given up 25 sacks in the last 7 games.
2) Steelers D is not better than 10th in any major defensive stat
3) Dolphins cutting Jones and bringing in Williams who is expected to be cut….this is a very weird event. Seems the Dolphins, who have been unable to motivate him all year, are making this move due to some never found trust. If Williams, who will play his first playoff game, comes in and plays like ‘Mario”, then he could be a BIG piece to dominate the edge and be the force he was expected to be with him, Wake and Suh. Not sayig he will….but, this staff and front office are going for it and they have done pretty well so far. THis will be extremely interesting to watch.
26 has been the magic number for the Miami Dolphins this year. When the Dolphins score 26 or more points they are 9-0. I suspect they will need to do it again to beat Pittsburgh this Sunday.
If the offense scores 28 or more you have above an 80% chance of winning. Same goes for the defense. If they hold the opponent under 18 then you have better than 80% chance of winning, per PFF.
MIAMI 31
PITT 27
Still on the fence, but looking over Steelers defense gave me a bit of a lean toward Miami being able to upset them….still not there yet. Need to do some watching and drinking to get my feet settled. Think tonight is the night…now, if I can only convince my wife…
…I’m putting all my marbles on Miami’s winning ways this year after a blowout …now I’m old enough that I recognize that may not be all that many anymore …but that’s what’s in the pot, eh
…sweet aunt jemimah, what a season it would be if we actually won a playoff game 🙂
Two things ….maybe three things have me leaning towards Miami:
1) Steelers have given up 25 sacks in the last 7 games.
2) Steelers D is not better than 10th in any major defensive stat
3) Dolphins cutting Jones and bringing in Williams who is expected to be cut….this is a very weird event. Seems the Dolphins, who have been unable to motivate him all year, are making this move due to some never found trust. If Williams, who will play his first playoff game, comes in and plays like ‘Mario”, then he could be a BIG piece to dominate the edge and be the force he was expected to be with him, Wake and Suh. Not sayig he will….but, this staff and front office are going for it and they have done pretty well so far. THis will be extremely interesting to watch.