Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins matchup is previewed.

As I watched last week’s game against the Cowboys, I found myself doing something that I hadn’t done for most of the season: screaming at the television. I was getting upset by the Eagles’ inability to hold a lead and the phantom pass interference penalties called against Byron Maxwell. As Jordan Matthews streaked into the end zone, I was jumping excitedly and let out a howl.

In other words, I cared again.

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I’m not sure when it happened, but I had definitely been following the Eagles with a sense of detachment. It may have begun in the very first game. After their preseason performance, I was fired up for the opening game, only to watch them come out as flat as possible. When they followed that up with a horrendous performance in week two, I think I subconsciously decided not to get too emotionally invested in the team’s performance this season.

The blown fourth quarter lead against the Redskins might have killed me in years past, but I was able to shrug it off saying, “Yeah, that sucks.” In the fourth quarter of the win against the Giants, I wasn’t feeling pumped about a big win, I just wanted the game to end so I could go to sleep.

On Sunday night, for the first time in a while, I actually really WANTED the Eagles to win. That’s a bit dangerous for me, because now I really WANT them to win the rest of their games. And I’ll likely get very upset when they don’t win. The good news is that this week’s game is definitely winnable.

Miami Dolphins

Record: 3-5

Head Coach: Dan Campbell

Last Week: Lost to Bills 33-17

The Last Time They Met

Most Eagles fans don’t have fond memories of the “wide nine” defensive line alignment that the team used in 2011. With the defensive ends lined up so wide, it left huge lanes for opposing running backs and placed a lot of pressure on the team’s inadequate group of linebackers and safeties. However, there were some instances when the wide nine was quite effective.

Jason Babin. Image Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

When the Eagles played the Dolphins in December 2011, thanks to the wide nine, their defense relentlessly harassed the Dolphins’ quarterbacks. They racked up nine sacks, including three by wide nine specialist Jason Babin. Starting quarterback Matt Moore was knocked out of the game, and backup J.P. Losman received just as much abuse when he entered.

It didn’t matter that the Eagles didn’t score any points on offense in the second half. The defense made sure that the Dolphins couldn’t get anything going, and they were able to coast to a 26-10 victory.

What’s the Deal with the Dolphins

It’s not a good sign when a team fires their coach less than two months into a season. After the Dolphins started 1-3, management apparently decided that coach Joe Philbin was the cause of their problems. They’ve lost their last two games under interim coach Dan Campbell, so it seems that the issues may not have stopped with Philbin.

Nov 8, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to throw a pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Miami 33 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The quarterback position hasn’t been a strength for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired, but they were optimistic about Ryan Tannehill heading into the season. Unfortunately for them, Tannehill has drawn more publicity for taunting practice squad players and not his performance on the field. Tannehill has had some moments this season, but he certainly hasn’t convinced anyone that he’s the next Marino.

Defensively, the Dolphins have disappointed. Last week, they actually made history for being the first team to ever allow two 100 yard rushers as well as a 150 yard receiver in the same game. They’ve got the second worst run defense in the league, which is good news for the Eagles who – if you hadn’t noticed – love to run the ball. Expect the running backs to get a lot of carries in early on in this one.

The Dolphins thought they would be better on defense after making a big free agent signing this past off-season. However, that hasn’t worked out as well as they hoped.

Featured Dolphins Player: Ndamukong Suh

There were a lot of people convinced that giving former Lions tackle Ndamukong Suh a massive free agent contract would be a bad idea. There were comparisons made to Albert Haynesworth, another talented defensive tackle who once received a large free agent contract. (It’s only natural to compare the two men since they have both stepped on an opponent’s helmetless head.)

Nov 8, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) gets hurt after being tackled by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Miami 33 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Haynesworth was one of the worst free agent signings in history. It’s too early to put Suh in that category…but he has been a disappointment so far. His play has been described as “lackluster” and there have been stories about him ignoring the coaches’ play calls.

Suh was also reprimanded by his mother for using profanity last week, so he’s probably in a foul mood. Let’s just hope that Suh doesn’t take his frustration out by stomping on Sam Bradford‘s head.

Reason to Hate the Dolphins

Don’t you hate it when the Eagles lose a late season game? Doesn’t it seem even worse when you look outside and see cold and damp weather? Doesn’t that completely ruin your mood?

Dolphins fans don’t really have to deal with that. Sure, the Dolphins haven’t been relevant in a long time, but at least they get to enjoy nice weather when the Dolphins lose.

“The Dolphins just lost a key division game that will ruin their playoff chances? Oh well…at least it’s sunny! Let’s go to the beach!”

Key Eagles Storyline: Whither the Run Defense?

The Eagles have had some issues this season, but it felt like the one thing that they could count on was being able to stop the run. Thanks to stout linemen like Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan, along with run stopping linebackers like Brandon Graham and DeMeco Ryans, it was a given that opponents would have limited production on the ground.

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That hasn’t been the case the past two weeks. In two consecutive games, an opposing running back has had a strong game. First it was the Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart, and then the Cowboys’ Darren McFadden. The frightening thing is, neither of these backs is what you’d consider elite.

What’s been the problem? Yes, Ryans is probably their best pure run-stopping linebacker, and he’s been out of action, but I strongly doubt that Ryans was the only thing holding their run defense together. I’d blame fatigue, but the Eagles were coming off a bye last week, and the problems seem to be just as – if not more – prevalent early in games.

Perhaps it has something to do with the way the Giants tore them apart on their first drive three weeks ago? The Eagles were in their base defense, and the Giants were able to exploit it. Has defensive coördinator Billy Davis made a point to not start games in such a run-heavy mode?

Whatever the reason, the Eagles need to get it straightened out. This team has enough problems that they don’t also need to worry about giving up large gains on the ground.

Nick vs. Sam

Since they were traded for each other, it’s only natural that fans would want to compare how Nick Foles and Sam Bradford are faring on their new teams. I’ll take a weekly look at the two quarterbacks and decide who holds the edge.

In an attempt to get a St. Louis Rams fan’s perspective on the two quarterbacks, I checked in with my friend Nate:

"Dateline October 11, 2015.The Rams traveled to Lambeau and had the opportunity to knock off the Packers. Despite the efforts of the Ram defense to slow down Aaron Rodgers (two interceptions!) and Todd Gurley rushing for 159 yards, the Rams still lost due to four (FOUR!) interceptions by Nick Foles. Couple that with maybe the lowest passer rating in history (23.7), and the Rams lost. He hasn’t thrown over 200 yards in a game since Week 1.Halfway through the season, it has become painfully clear that the Rams cannot beat you by passing the ball. Which actually makes the performance of Todd Gurley that much more impressive. Teams are loading the box on him because they have zero respect for Foles to actually complete a pass. Would the same be said about Captain Check Down Sam Bradford? (Author’s note: I prefer calling him “Safety Valve Sam,” but to each his own.)I don’t sense the STL fan base is longing for Sam despite our frustration with Foles. Then again, I could stand there and hand the ball off to Gurley and watch him break 7 tackles and get first downs all day long.Not sure if either team won this trade, though I am sure the Eagle leadership is really happy Sam turned down that contract offer before the season started. Unfortunately for the Rams, Foles went ahead and signed his contract extension. Oh well, the LA Rams will have to suffer through a few more years of this."

Sounds like the Ram faithful isn’t feeling too optimistic about the future these days.

Both quarterbacks had games that went into overtime last week. One of those men led his team to a dramatic victory. The other looked so shaky that the opposing coach chose to give him the ball first. Based on that, the current edge goes to Sam Bradford.

Oct 25, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) looks to pass the ball during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Philadelphia 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Mocking the East

Part of the fun of being a football fan is taking pleasure in the misfortune of your favorite team’s rivals. Each week, I’ll find a reason to make fun of one of the other teams in the NFC East.

I’m getting annoyed by the Redskins this season. It was bad enough that they beat the Eagles, but even worse, they’ve managed to avoid becoming a laughingstock. Sure, they’re bad, but they’re not especially mock-worthy bad.

Next: REPORT: Sam Bradford Was Willing to Take 2015 Pay-Cut

Early in the season, it looked like the Redskins were headed for another dumpster fire of a season. Between the GM’s wife making accusations towards reporters to the always volatile RG3 situation, it seemed inevitable that we’d have a season full of “LOL Redskins” stories.

Instead, they’ve just kind of flown under the radar. Kirk Cousins is entrenched as the starter and even has his own catch phrase. Cousins isn’t particularly great, but he’s not a John Beck-level disaster either.

My only hope is that Cousins suffers a minor injury that knocks him out of action for a couple of weeks. Then, Robert Griffin can come in and play JUST well enough (hopefully not against the Eagles) to re-kindle a quarterback controversy.

Super Bowl Year Song of the Week

The Eagles have not made many appearances in the Super Bowl (Two, to be exact). I’m hopeful that this season will mark their third appearance in the “big game,” so each week I’m going to take a song from one of the franchise’s Super Bowl seasons (1980 and 2004) that somehow relates to this week’s game.’

Yeah! – Usher, 2004

As I said before, it had been a while since I got that excited over an Eagles game. Will they be able to continue that excitement this week?

Tweet of Importance

Okay, so here’s the real reason to hate the Dolphins: We need revenge for that loss in the Super Bowl!

Prediction

The Eagles rewarded my optimism last week, and came through with a big win. Now that everyone is excited about the team again, the timing almost seems right for them to turn in a stinker of a performance this week.

I’ll try to be optimistic. Maybe last week’s game was just what the Eagles’ offense needed, and they’ll start to resemble the high scoring unit that we expected before the season. (This isn’t the first time I’ve hoped that.)

When it comes down to it, the Dolphins aren’t all that good. The Eagles’ running game is starting to click, and the Dolphins can clearly be run on. Besides, over his two plus seasons as coach, Chip Kelly’s teams have been pretty good about beating lesser teams.

Eagles 27 – Dolphins 23

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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins Semi-Coherent Preview

By Mike Lacy | Nov 14, 2015