Dolphins Offense is the key to a win over the Bucs

I really hope that Mike Sherman sticks with the gameplan of running the football.  Last week against the Bengals, he stayed committed to the run and it ultimately proved successful.  Running the football opens up the passing game, a theory that has been the basis for offensive systems in the NFL since the league started.  STAY WITH THE RUN!!

When the Dolphins pass the ball, it will be crucial that they protect Ryan Tannehill.  Yes, they will be without Jon Martin and Richie Incognito, but they were without both of those players for most of the game against the Bengals.  Remember, Incognito went out with an injury early in the game and was replaced by Nate Garner.  The Dolphins starting line will be McKinnie, Garner, Pouncey, Jerry, and C…..C…..Clabo.  Sorry, it was hard to type Clabo because he’s had such a rough season so far.  To be fair though, he did play better last week.

It’s almost certain that Darrelle Revis will be shadowing Mike Wallace all game long.  Will Wallace be up to the challange?  Despite his issues with drops and Tannehill’s inability to connect consistently with the deep balls, Wallace has helped open up things this season.  He stretches the field and forces the defense to account for his speed.  Usually a safetey needs to help a cornerback over the top, which opens up things for guys like Charles Clay, Brian Hartline, and the slot receiver (Gibson or Matthews).   To help the offense, Wallace will need to beat Revis on deeper patterns.  Even if he doesn’t catch the ball or have the ball thrown to him, he needs to do this so that the Bucs make the adjustment to help Revis over the top.

I expect a big game from Brian Hartline tonight being that Wallace will be taking Revis out of the play.  I also expect Ryan Tannehill to have a good game.  It is important for him to be careful with the football.  The Bucs are +2 in the turnover battle this season, while the Dolphins are sitting at even, having given up the ball just as much as they have taken it away.   Tannehill and the offense must protect the football and avoid the big mistakes that have cost them games this season.

So that’s the key, win the turnover battle, run the football effectively, and force mistakes by the Bucs young offense.  Sounds easy enough, right?  I think the Dolphins can do it.  After hearing the soundbites from the players last week, I believe this team will come out as a unified group.  I think they will rally against the “Bully-gate” coverage and put together a nice win on the road and move into a tie for 6th playoff spot with the Jets.  Prediction:  Dolphins 23 Bucs 17

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