Let’s talk about the Miami Dolphins

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Headed down to a familiar location for the Florida heat and a highly formidable opponent.

The Dolphins have a great defense, a mediocre at best offense. Not all that different from Denver really, but coached better.

A win would clinch the AFCW for the 5th straight season, so there is some added importance. Of course we are on Pittsburgh’s heels, too.

I think we all aren’t totally sure what to make of the team at this point. They’ve been inconsistent in their focus, their execution. There seem to be problem areas that could be upgraded by simply plugging a backup in (hi, Wis), but it remains to be seen if any changes are going to be made.

It’s a weird league where outcomes are all over the place, winning is really damn hard, but they’re still 11-1 and largely look to be on cruise control half the time. I do think there’s something to be said for the GS Warriors comparison where sometimes they just don’t flip the switch until they have to. I guess we will see what happens as the games get bigger and bigger for this team.

This one won’t be easy, but if the offense comes out locked in from the go, it shouldn’t be a scare. I also think it’s another opportunity for the defense to perform well again, but I still feel like we need more from our pass rush along the DL moving forward.

Game is at noon on CBS...

[Lionstone]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You're going to have issues with Travis Kelce for one.

Also if they line up DB heavy like that and try to blitz, the Chiefs will pound the ball as well. They don't do that often but when they do (see Buffalo) they can be pretty good at it.

Yes, we will have a difficult time with Kelce. Rowe has been very good versus TEs, but this will be a more difficult assignment than when he erased Kittle from the game versus the 49ers.

[Megatron96]

Tbh, I hope the game is as interesting as some here are predicting it to be. It's been awhile since I've felt like the game could go either way late in the game.

But MIA will have to be able to stop the run. If they can't, then as soon as the Chiefs establish a two-score lead in the second half, Andy will pound the ball and run off clock, and that will be that.

[Floresdontplaythat]

Originally Posted by Lionstone

Yes, we will have a difficult time with Kelce. Rowe has been very good versus TEs, but this will be a more difficult assignment than when he erased Kittle from the game versus the 49ers.

Agreed. Xavien and Byron should be ok but Rowe on Kelce worries me. I think we'll see a lot more Grugier-Hill in this game to help with him.

[Lionstone]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

So the problem is that Tua doesn't trust his WR's to make a catch while Fitzpatrick either did (or didn't care).

That's not a recipe for ultimate success, just ask Alex Smith.

Do not listen to the silly the WR do not get separation excuses that some Dolphins fans like to quote. There is absolutely a stat the Dolphins receivers have the least separation in the NFL. It is not the reason Tua struggles. It does not help, but it is just an excuse. Tua’s problems have been related to being a rookie. He is inconsistent in stretches and Denver confused him to just playing awful.

The strengths Tua brings is that he gets through his reads effectively, has a very quick release, and can have spectacular accuracy and ball location. He is definitely improving, and his ceiling is far above Fitz. The question we have every week is this the week where he hits his ceiling. If he does, then the offense can definitely put up 40 pts. I just do not expect it yet.

[Floresdontplaythat]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Tbh, I hope the game is as interesting as some here are predicting it to be. It's been awhile since I've felt like the game could go either way late in the game.

But MIA will have to be able to stop the run. If they can't, then as soon as the Chiefs establish a two-score lead in the second half, Andy will pound the ball and run off clock, and that will be that.

I do too. I'd usually chuck these types of games up as losses, but we've been so unpredictable this year.
We don't have the offense to keep up with you guys though so I do think we lose 37-26. Hopefully things don't get too crazy and Mahomes has 3 TD's by halftime.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

I have a lot of respect for Howard, Jones, and the Dolphins corners as a whole. But if there’s one thing a Chiefs fan can tell you having watched every game this year, it’s that no corner can be trusted to guard Hill well consistently. His game has went to an even higher level.

Now I am sure he won’t be single covered even with their good set of CBs, but that’s where it becomes even more difficult to contain Kelce, Watkins, Hardman, or whoever is running the ball into light boxes.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Lionstone

The strengths Tua brings is that he gets through his reads effectively, has a very quick release, and can have spectacular accuracy and ball location. H

[BossChief]

I’m sure Pat still remembers the 2 games in 2018 going up against Flores Pat defenses and how they confused him at times.

He will be better prepared for those kind of looks now.

Should be a pretty good game.

[ToxSocks]

Flores' defense concerns me, but not enough to think this will be an upset.

I think that defense keeps it close for the majority of the game, enough to make us a wee-bit nervous.

Flores has proven to be a helluva coach who has his teams ready and can call an outstanding defensive game plan.

Offensively, the Dolphins are limited and that's expounded with Tua in there. They have no real running game which means the Chiefs can focus on forcing Tua to throw. Parker will get a few jump balls here and there, but they won't be able to sustain an offensive attack to take advantage of their defensive stops and occasional Chief's miscues.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Flores' defense concerns me, but not enough to think this will be an upset.

I think that defense keeps it close for the majority of the game, enough to make us a wee-bit nervous.

Flores has proven to be a helluva coach who has his teams ready and can call an outstanding defensive game plan.

Offensively, the Dolphins are limited and that's expounded with Tua in there. They have no real running game which means the Chiefs can focus on forcing Tua to throw. Parker will get a few jump balls here and there, but they won't be able to sustain an offensive attack to take advantage of their defensive stops and occasional Chief's miscues.

That’s how I see it playing out, too.

If KC protects the ball like they usually do, we should win a good game.

[staylor26]

The Dolphins have a good defense, but they’ve given up 30+ every time they’ve played one of the leagues best offenses (Buffalo, Arizona, Seattle).

I just don’t think they match up well with us with Tua at QB. I’d be more concerned if Fitzpatrick were starting.

[VAGOMO 4 LIFE!]

#Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill did not practice today due to an illness. Team says it is not COVID related.

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 9, 2020

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by staylor26

The Dolphins have a good defense, but they’ve given up 30+ every time they’ve played one of the leagues best offenses (Buffalo, Arizona, Seattle).

I just don’t think they match up well with us with Tua at QB. I’d be more concerned if Fitzpatrick were starting.

This is basically the problem for MIA. They already have a history of giving up 30+ to good passing offenses, and the Chiefs offense, both in terms of weapons and play design, is far superior to those offenses. So MIA is going to have to play much better than they did against those teams just to stay in the game.

And then their offense is inconsistent, and only average about 24 points/game. But that's with the benefit of 11-12 possessions, which they are going to try very hard not to give/have.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Flores' defense concerns me, but not enough to think this will be an upset.

I think that defense keeps it close for the majority of the game, enough to make us a wee-bit nervous.

Flores has proven to be a helluva coach who has his teams ready and can call an outstanding defensive game plan.

Offensively, the Dolphins are limited and that's expounded with Tua in there. They have no real running game which means the Chiefs can focus on forcing Tua to throw. Parker will get a few jump balls here and there, but they won't be able to sustain an offensive attack to take advantage of their defensive stops and occasional Chief's miscues.

Yep.

I expect a game much like last week with a similar amount of hand wringing.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Yep.

I expect a game much like last week with a similar amount of hand wringing.

We shoulda easily put 30+ up last week.

If the chiefs don’t hurt themselves with dumb mistakes, they’re defense proof. It doesn’t matter what’s on the other side.

They’ll put up their normal 30 I’d guess