NFL Game Preview: Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles

This game will feature two teams whose seasons have gone the polar opposite way they’d expected. Miami has already made some major coaching changes, firing head coach Joe Philbin before their bye week and promoting tight ends coach Dan Campbell to the job. Despite winning their first two games under Campbell, Miami has lost two straight heading into the hostile environment in Philadelphia.

Chip Kelly and the Eagles have also not enjoyed as much success as they or the fans expected. A big overtime win against their rival Dallas Cowboys may have been the reset button the Eagles season desperately needed as Sam Bradford led the game-winning drive with a touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews. DeMarco Murray has started to turn it on and is leading the Eagles three-headed running back corp in a big way.

The Philadelphia defense has shined as well this season, currently ranked third in the league in run defense and ninth in defending the pass. Unfortunately, they lost Rookie of the Year candidate Jordan Hicks to a pectoral injury for the season. The rookie out of Texas leads the team in tackles and his pick-six last week was crucial to the teams victory.

Players to Watch For

Jordan Matthews, WR

The sophomore receiver has been battling a hand injury, which has resulted in a motley of drops in the first half of the season. He finally got himself going with the game-winning touchdown against Dallas and 133 receiving yards to lead the team. With rookie Nelson Agholor out for the past three weeks, the Eagles have been leaning on Miles Austin and Riley Cooper for too much. It’s time for Matthews to lead the way and be the number one receiver he was expected to be. Sam Bradford needs his receivers to play a lot more consistent if he wants to stay in midnight green past this season.

Ndamukong Suh, DT

When Miami signed Suh, I’m sure they couldn’t foresee being the 28th ranked run defense. There were reports that Suh was ignoring the play calling and just doing his thing, which clearly hasn’t worked. When the Eagles run the ball 30 or more times with Chip Kelly in-charge, they’ve won nearly every game. If Miami wants to stay in the playoff hunt, they will need the help of Suh to stop the running attack up-front.

Prediction

Once again, the Eagles are going to struggle out of the gate. That’s just how it’s gone for the past two seasons. Ultimately, the offense will click and they will runaway with this one by a final score of 34-17 at home.