In Enemy Territory: 5 Questions about the Fins
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Brian Miller from Fan Sided’s Phin Phanatic and I exchanged questions about each other’s team in preparation for Monday night’s game in Miami. If the Jets lose this weekend, the winner of this game will be in first place in the AFC East. The Patriots will have some positive momentum heading into the bye week if they can pull out a win in Miami, a place that has traditionally been tough for the Pats to play in. Here our the 5 questions I posed to Brian, and his answers:
1. What is the one thing the Dolphins NEED to do to win the game?
I think the most important thing that the Dolphins need to do is get pressure on Tom Brady and make him throw before his receivers can get into their routes. Without pressure there is no way the Dolphins can win the game as Brady will sit back and wait for someone to find space.
2. Which player or players are key to a Dolphins’ victory?
Camreon Wake on the outside pass rush will need a big game this Monday night. Karlos Dansby will also have to play very well if the Phins want to keep Brady and Co. in check.
3. What is one advantage or favorable match-up that you feel the Pats have over the Dolphins and the Dolphins have over the Patriots?
The biggest advantage for the Patriots is Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. The Dolphins can not cover a receiving TE and those two are looking to be very solid in their rookie season. For the Dolphins the advantage has to be Brandon Marshall. Marshall is the first number 1 WR on the Dolphins roster in over a decade and he should be able to get separation from the Patriot corners.
4. What is your prediction (winner and score) for Sunday’s game?
I normally won’t predict scores but I think that if the Dolphins can pressure Tom Brady, they could win 34 – 24. If they can’t stop Tom Brady, it will be the other way around.
5. Who is one player that Patriots fans probably don’t know about, but will learn about fast on Sunday and why?
This is really hard to define as there is so much youth on the defense and nothing overly surprising on the offense in terms of personnel. I would likely say OLB Koa Misi would be someone to watch because if he can get up field, he will keep Brady moving all game long.