GAME Overview ::
By mike johnson >>
- This game has the potential for potentially severe rain showers throughout it, which would hurt downfield passing and explosiveness.
- The Dolphins still have an outside chance at a playoff berth if they win both remaining games and have a few other outcomes go in their favor.
- Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is likely to make another start in this game after an unimpressive 2024 starting debut against the Bengals.
- Dolphins RB De’Von Achane has scored 20+ fantasy points in eight of 11 games with Tua Tagovailoa under center.
- Miami WR Jaylen Waddle returned to practice Thursday after a knee injury that has held him out for nearly two weeks. His status is still uncertain for this game.
HOW MIAMI WILL TRY TO WIN ::
The Dolphins are still alive for an AFC playoff berth at the time of this writing, but that could change by kickoff. The Broncos and Chargers both play on Saturday, and if both of those teams win, then Miami will be eliminated from the playoffs. While the Dolphins are still likely to put their best foot forward when they step on the field regardless of that situation, their overall player usage and how aggressive they are with key players who are tending to injuries such as Waddle and Tyreek Hill is something that we need to consider. Waddle is a young cornerstone of the franchise, are they really going to put him out there on a wet field two weeks after sustaining a scary-looking knee injury in a game that can do nothing to alter their season’s outcome? Even Achane, whose slight build and injuries during his rookie season had many questioning if he could hold up to a feature-back role, would be a candidate for having his work scaled back if the game is more or less meaningless at that point. If either of Denver or the Chargers loses on Saturday, then throw all of that out the window. But if Miami is knocked out of the playoffs 24 hours before this game kicks off, then the floor for everyone on the offense becomes significantly lower.
If the weather were to cooperate and Miami is still alive, this would profile as the spot where Tyreek might come back to life. The Browns play near the league high in single-high safety coverage and Hill thrives against those looks historically. You can say the same for Waddle. This version of the Dolphins has worked primarily through Achane and TE Jonnu Smith as the focus has been getting the ball out of Tagovailoa’s hands quickly all season. Miami has not been overly aggressive, but the Browns’ defense does play aggressively and opens themselves up to big plays. That is why Hill would be a great candidate for a bounce-back game here if things lined up. Unfortunately the forecast looks gloomy with rain and wind is likely to play a factor. Tua is a QB who thrives on precision and timing, and while his arm is sufficient most of the time, a spot where footing is tougher and it is harder to drive the ball downfield would not be good for his outlook. The Cleveland offense does not present a very strong threat entering this game, so look for Miami to have a “prove it” mindset where they value ball control through running and short-area passing. It will be a priority of theirs to not “give” away points to the Browns through negative plays that give short fields to Cleveland and let them play from a positive game script. Miami will look to methodically build its lead and count on the Browns’ shaky offensive situation to break down and hand the Dolphins a lead that they can systematically build upon as they slowly apply pressure to a floundering opponent.
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