Time To Be Tough AND Consistent

The Dolphins are coming off their most impressive performance of the season, and many fans are wondering if that was a flash in the pan performance, or if this team is for real. The question for many is, ‘Can they continue to play at the level that we saw against the Titans’? This week the Dolphins will be back home to take on the Texans, and I am personally sitting on pins and needles, waiting to see if the Dolphins play with the same intensity.

The players seem to have bought into Dan Campbell’s system, so I believe the Dolphins will play well again because they are willing to battle for him, something that can not be said about the last two plus seasons under the former head coach. The key now is to have another intense week of practice and to stick to the ground and pound offense, and the aggressive attacking defense – and most importantly be consistent. The Dolphins players proved last week that they CAN be physical in the trenches and that this style can be the blueprint for success in this league – if it is done with an equal zeal each week.

The Texans are ranked in the middle of the pack in the NFL in rush defense, allowing 109 yards per game, which is 17th best in the league. The Dolphins exploded on the ground last week for 180 yards on 30 carries for a 6 yards per carry ratio. Most sports betting fans would bet that Coach Campbell is going to use another heavy dose of running this week, and Lamar Miller should at least get 15 carries, and maybe even finally break the 20 carry mark. The roster move of inserting Billy Turner into the starting lineup proved extremely effective, especially considering that Turner did a very good job of run blocking and nearly as well at pass block. Also, the addition of Dion Sims in the lineup also provided the team with another big capable blocker on the offensive line. If the Dolphins can win the physical battle in the trenches, then they have a very good chance of having another impressive running performance, and ending the game with a victory. But again, they need to bring the wood, game in and game out, long after the shine of a new coach has worn off.

On Defense the Dolphins need to continue where they left off last game, with putting a lot of pressure on the QB and stopping the run. The coaches simplified the defense last week and it proved extremely effective. The bare bones plan allowed the players to focus on their play instead of possibly getting bogged down in assignments. “Tape” will force them to expand the game plan, especially with Belichick two weeks away. Houston is one of the better passing teams in the league, and in terms of passing yards per game they are ranked fourth best in the league with 297.8 yards per game. A big reason for that is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who leads the entire league in receiving yards with 726. He has gone for over 100 yards in each of his last 4 games, and over that 4 game span he has 38 catches, 3 touchdowns and 575 yards, which is a 143.75 yard per game average. Miami must double team him, and it will be a very exciting match up for the super competitive Brent Grimes.

The Texans have not been as good on offense when running the ball, but it is important that the ‘Phins stop them on the ground early and often to keep the Texan “off schedule”. The Texans are ranked 23rd worst in the league in rushing offense, averaging 96 yards per game. However, Arian Foster missed time with a groin injury, but he played last week, and should be at full strength this Sunday. The Dolphins have always had issues with Foster, so it is important that they account for him, and make it a priority to minimize his impact.

Does the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans think that Miami can play at the same level that they played last week, and win their first game against the Texans and get there record back to .

00?

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