Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs: Each team’s big game X-factor in AFC showdown in Germany
The Miami Dolphins (6-2) have their biggest test of the season as they take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday. In this Week 9 showdown, the biggest question or storyline is whether the boys from South Beach can beat a legit contender.
Coming off a 31-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 8, the Dolphins did what they were supposed to do, they beat up on a team lower in the standings. In fact, that is what Miami has done all season long with their two losses coming at the hands of the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.
Those two teams handed it to the Dolphins which has served some doubt or at least some questioning as to whether Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and that high powered offense can get it done against a winning team.
They will get their shot on neutral grounds when they take on a Chiefs team coming off a shocking loss at the hands of the Denver Broncos, yes that same Broncos team that gave up 70 points to the Dolphins.
In a any given week league, the Chiefs may have been looking ahead to this matchup as both defenses will need to step up and shine in this AFC showdown. Can the Chiefs defense find a way to get to Tua and slow down the Dolphins?
Can the Dolphins find a way to limit the Mahomes to Travis Kelce connection?
Whether Taylor Swift is in Germany or not, Kelce is still a big target and very dangerous playmaker in the Kansas City offense. But we already know about what Kelce brings to the table. With elite weapons and playmakers on both sides of the ball for each team, here are two stars who need to ball it out in this Week 9 AFC battle.
Dolphins take: Tyreek Hill will make some noise vs former team
It starts with Tyreek Hill for the Dolphins. Already hitting 1,000 yards receiving this season, the former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver will be looking to have a big game against this former team. In fact, he’s more than ready.
“It doesn’t really matter where we play at,” Hill told reporters on Thursday. “They gon’ get this work wherever. Ya’ll rather get that bulletin board material.”
There is really no bulletin board material needed in this one. The Chiefs know firsthand the challenge Hill brings. As Tua’s most dynamic weapon, limiting his big play ability will be a key focus for the Kansas City defense, obviously. Although the Dolphins have other playmakers who can get it done, the explosiveness of Hill and all that play snap motion Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel likes to run, the man known as Cheetah will be an x-factor for the Dolphins because if he get involved early, it will open up other areas of the field for Tua.
Chiefs take: Patrick Mahomes has to be Patrick Mahomes
After a dismal performance against the Broncos, one sure bet in Week 9 is that Patrick Mahomes will bounce back and be Patrick Mahomes.
In this game, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback must be the better quarterback. Although he doesn’t have Tyreek Hill on his side, his ability to extend plays always make the Chiefs a dangerous offensive team not matter who he is throwing the ball to.
That’s why this is a big game for Bradley Chubb and the Dolphins defense. They have to get to Mahomes and find a way to disrupt him. If they can’t, it will be a very big game for Mahomes who assures he is healthy after playing through last week with the flu.
“I’m feeling perfectly fine,” Mahomes said Friday. “It was kind of just that night and a little bit that day. I kind of got back pretty quickly.”
As far as the cut he suffered on his hand during that game, Mahomes gave the same prognosis, “the hand is fine.”
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Prediction: The offensive sparks will fly early in this showdown in Germany as both offenses will get it going. Things will slow down in the second half as both defenses will find ways to slow down the opposing offense. The Dolphins will show they can play with the big boys, but Patrick Mahomes will step up on the big stage and will find a way to lead the Chiefs to a win over Miami. We got 31-27 Chiefs.