The Miami Dolphins (1-2) head into Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday night to take on the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) in prime time. Here are three keys to a Bengals victory.
Control the interior of the line: This, arguably, could be applied to every game, but this week in particular can truly make a difference. First, the Miami Dolphins could very well be down to a third-string center across from Geno Atkins. Starting center Mike Pouncey has not practiced since August and has been ruled out. Backup center Anthony Steen had been starting the last three weeks, but he is doubtful with an ankle injury. That leaves eight-year veteran Kraig Urbik to the task. He has made 57 starts in his career, but Atkins has decimated even the best of interior lines, and with a potential backup center, alongside a rookie guard in Laremy Tunsil alongside him, Atkins should have a tremendous impact.
On the other side of the line, Bengals center Russell Bodine and guards Kevin Zeitler and Clint Boling have Ndamukong Suh to deal with, along with 6-6, 335-pound second-year man Jordan Philips on the Dolphins' interior. Suh can also single-handedly disrupt an offense, so limiting his big plays will also go a long way in determining the Bengals? offensive success.
Remain committed to the run: The Bengals got the run game going in the first half against the Denver Broncos, and the Dolphins come in with the league?s worst outfit against the run, allowing 147.3 yards per game on the ground. Even Cleveland, with little semblance of a passing attack and new faces across its line, rushed for 169 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry to lead the way to two touchdowns. In the second half, even though only trailing by a possession into the fourth quarter, the Bengals rushed 11 times for 40 yards with Andy Dalton picking up 25 of those on scrambles.
Make several big plays on offense: Though they scored 23 points in the season opener, the Bengals managed seven plays of 20 yards or more against the New York Jets, four of which went for over 30 ? including two, 54-yard plays. Against Pittsburgh, the Bengals still had seven plays of 20 yards or more but none for more than 29. Against Denver, that number fell to four ? two of which came in the final drive when the game was decided. When the Bengals have been able to create a big play, they score points. In the last three weeks, the Dolphins have allowed an increasing number of plays of 20 yards or more. Seattle had two in Week 1, New England five in Week 2 and then Cleveland had seven on Sunday.
Three weeks of frustration against one of the toughest stretches to begin the year comes out against the struggling Dolphins. Feels like one of those games where the Bengals jump out early, pick off Ryan Tannehill a couple times and the rest of the game falls their way from there. Look for Jeremy Hill to lead the way offensively against a Miami team that hasn?t shown an ability to consistently stop the run, and the return of Vontaze Burfict sparks a defense needing a lift coming off the loss to Denver. Meanwhile, Bengals fans step away from the bridge, and the players enjoy 10 days of rest until a trip to Dallas.
Control the interior of the line: This, arguably, could be applied to every game, but this week in particular can truly make a difference. First, the Miami Dolphins could very well be down to a third-string center across from Geno Atkins. Starting center Mike Pouncey has not practiced since August and has been ruled out. Backup center Anthony Steen had been starting the last three weeks, but he is doubtful with an ankle injury. That leaves eight-year veteran Kraig Urbik to the task. He has made 57 starts in his career, but Atkins has decimated even the best of interior lines, and with a potential backup center, alongside a rookie guard in Laremy Tunsil alongside him, Atkins should have a tremendous impact.
On the other side of the line, Bengals center Russell Bodine and guards Kevin Zeitler and Clint Boling have Ndamukong Suh to deal with, along with 6-6, 335-pound second-year man Jordan Philips on the Dolphins' interior. Suh can also single-handedly disrupt an offense, so limiting his big plays will also go a long way in determining the Bengals? offensive success.
Remain committed to the run: The Bengals got the run game going in the first half against the Denver Broncos, and the Dolphins come in with the league?s worst outfit against the run, allowing 147.3 yards per game on the ground. Even Cleveland, with little semblance of a passing attack and new faces across its line, rushed for 169 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry to lead the way to two touchdowns. In the second half, even though only trailing by a possession into the fourth quarter, the Bengals rushed 11 times for 40 yards with Andy Dalton picking up 25 of those on scrambles.
Make several big plays on offense: Though they scored 23 points in the season opener, the Bengals managed seven plays of 20 yards or more against the New York Jets, four of which went for over 30 ? including two, 54-yard plays. Against Pittsburgh, the Bengals still had seven plays of 20 yards or more but none for more than 29. Against Denver, that number fell to four ? two of which came in the final drive when the game was decided. When the Bengals have been able to create a big play, they score points. In the last three weeks, the Dolphins have allowed an increasing number of plays of 20 yards or more. Seattle had two in Week 1, New England five in Week 2 and then Cleveland had seven on Sunday.
Three weeks of frustration against one of the toughest stretches to begin the year comes out against the struggling Dolphins. Feels like one of those games where the Bengals jump out early, pick off Ryan Tannehill a couple times and the rest of the game falls their way from there. Look for Jeremy Hill to lead the way offensively against a Miami team that hasn?t shown an ability to consistently stop the run, and the return of Vontaze Burfict sparks a defense needing a lift coming off the loss to Denver. Meanwhile, Bengals fans step away from the bridge, and the players enjoy 10 days of rest until a trip to Dallas.
