Dolphins at Vikings predictions
[picappgallerysingle id="9748377"]Arguably the toughest schedule stretch in the NFL begins Sunday for the Miami Dolphins. They need this one because it doesn’t get any easier.
With teams like the Jets, Patriots, Packers, Steelers, Ravens and Bengals coming up for Miami, the Dolphins will be put to the test early and it begins with the NFC runner-ups from last year – the Minnesota Vikings.
Luckily for Miami – a 5.5 point underdog – they get the Vikings when they are still slightly down.
Brett Favre looked out of sync with his offense last week. His receivers weren’t on the same page – besides tight end Vishante Shiancoe.
One receiver that could come into play though is former Dolphin Greg Camarillo. I’m sure he’s let Minnesota know just a little bit about what Miami is planning on doing.
Last week the Dolphins looked great, besides late in the game when Buffalo marched down for their lone touchdown. All three new Dolphins linebackers had a sack and the make-shift secondary played admirably.
Miami’s offense looked decent at best. Ronnie Brown was a highlight, but Ricky Williams didn’t get many touches.
Chad Henne threw too much and too short, Brandon Marshall had his targets, but they were mostly on short routes. Henne has to be able to go deep to spread the very tough Minnesota defense.
The Vikings are one of the nation’s best defensive units, led by All Pro Jared Allen rushing off the end. Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson also looked great after coming off an ACL injury.
The X-factor will be Adrian Peterson – can Miami stop him? If so, they should be able to torment Favre enough to keep it low scoring.
Miami’s linebackers will be put to the test – thrown to the fire – but if they can avoid being burned, the Dolphins can win a low-scoring battle.
My fantasy picks – Marshall gets his 1st touchdown, Brown gets 70 yards, A.P. gets about 110 yards and Favre throws two picks.
Miami 20, Minnesota 17
Earthquake Wake shakes up the Dolphins
[picappgallerysingle id="9779023"]Karlos Dansby had a great coming out party for the Dolphins against the Bills, getting a sack three plays in.
Koa Misi also stepped up with his first career NFL sack. The defense played great to say the least.
But while Dansby may have led the team in tackles, the most intriguing player is a second year linebacker.
Cameron “Earthquake” Wake. My new man-crush.
The guy is a beast. His sack was great, but his constant pressure was even better.
I mean this shouldn’t be a huge surprise, remember, he was the Defensive Player of the Year – in the Canadian Football League.
But still, he was a hidden gem. With Parcells about to step aside, wouldn’t it be great if he left us with a new L.T?
Well, it may be a stretch now, but the kid can play.
He went to Penn State, which has produced its fair share of great linebackers, but went totally under the radar. The New York Giants brought him to camp, but it was a short lived stay.
A couple of stellar CFL seasons later Miami brought him on in January 2009. After a year and a half learning from the likes of Jason Taylor and Joey Porter, Wake has stepped into the starting role.
And he’s taking FULL advantage of it. Don’t believe me, watch him against the Vikings.
This is why I can totally buy into a ‘Fins upset this Sunday. Brett Favre will run in fear from Wake all game long.
Despite Odrick being out, the Dolphins can pressure the Vikes with Mike Nolan calling the shots.
Then you have Wake’s nickname, what a great one! Earthquake! We need more NFL nicknames that strike fear into offensive players.
Cameron “Earthquake” Wake – mark my word, he’ll be a Dolphin for years to come.
Jared Odrick out only two weeks
[picappgallerysingle id="9549852"]Phew. That was close.
Jared Odrick must have a heck of a fibula. Turns out a nasty looking injury to it is just a scratch.
Odrick has just a small fracture to his fibula, only holding him out two weeks. Initial reports had him out six weeks so this is great news for the Dolphins.
Odrick played well through two quarters in the opening win against Buffalo, before going down in the third.
But with an injury still there the Dolphins are searching for more talent. Now reports have surfaced that Miami will be bringing Adalius Thomas to town for a workout.
Thomas, who recently played with the New England Patriots, has also drawn a ton of interest from the New York Jets. The Jets lost nose tackle Kris Jenkins for the year and love picking up veterans to try and cash Rex Ryan’s checks.
But with Odrick out Miami is yet again looking for help on what was supposed to be one of their most solid positions. Luckily Kendall Langford is playing solidly on one half of the line.
Dolphins win, answer questions
[picappgallerysingle id="9748501"]Alright, that was a little too close, but Miami got a win on the road against a division rival.
Although the Dolphins escaped with a 15-10 win over Buffalo, they did show signs of good things to come.
First and foremost – Cameron “Earthquake” Wake is for real. I will stop here though, check in tomorrow to see my analysis of my new man-crush on the Dolphins.
Secondly – Chad Henne loves him some Brandon Marshall.
Marshall was targeted multiple times throughout the game, despite being double teamed on nearly every play. The new Dolphin stepped up with a slew of short yardage catches, but never really stretched the field.
On the one play he did break down the middle Henne vastly under-threw him, forcing him to come back to the ball and – drop it. Okay it was a tough play, but I’ve seen it done by guys who make a lot less.
Third – The offensive line has got to get better. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams were never able to truly get going on Sunday. Brown’s stats are that much more impressive since there was never any real running room.
Check in the rest of the week as I embrace a California pasttime, talk about the new defense, see how the Miami players are handling themselves fantasy wise, and preview a very tough match-up against the Minnesota Vikings this week.
Miami heads to Buffalo to start season
I’m going to try and shake the horrible opening game between New Orleans and the Vikes and turn towards the Dolphins’ season opener.
Miami has a brutal middle stretch of the schedule. It’s tough early, but eases up down the road.
Luckily, it starts against what will be the worst team in the NFL this year. That’s right the Buffalo Bills are on the fast track for the first pick in next year’s NFL draft.
So, although the Dolphins have made as many moves this week as they did all preseason, they should escape with a win on Sunday.
My pick: Miami 20, Buffalo 10.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams get the scores while Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall continue to work out the kinks.
C.J. Spiller should perform admirably in his first NFL start, but he’s all the Bills have, so letting up a score and some yards won’t prove too devastating.
Miami 1-0, that’s a good start for once.
