Key Matchups to Watch in Dolphins' Big Test Against Broncos

Coming off a vital home win in Week 11, the Miami Dolphins travel west to play the Denver Broncos. As the Dolphins continue their quest toward the playoffs, the Broncos provide a good test for how much Miami has improved in big games under head coach Joe Philbin.

Miami’s been one of the best teams in the league the last five weeks, winning four games by a margin of 19 points a game. On the flip side, the Broncos have shown considerable weakness in the last few weeks, losing two out of three.

As loaded as the Broncos roster is with talent, they simply have not been playing their best football recently. That gives the Dolphins the chance to pull an upset in Mile High, who are surging and coming off a strong performance against their rival, the Buffalo Bills.

Coupled with a strong game plan, the Dolphins will need to play well in certain individual matchups. We’ll get to the game plan later this week and focus on four key battles within the game right now.

If Miami’s key players perform sufficiently against top-flight competition that the Broncos provide, the Dolphins very well could return home Sunday evening with their seventh victory of the season.

Brent Grimes vs. Demaryius Thomas

The Dolphins Pro Bowl cornerback has faced a gauntlet of great NFL receivers this season, and his latest opponent will be yet another major test. Grimes has been terrific in coverage this season, which we previously looked at.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has Grimes graded as the 19th-best cornerback in the league, allowing just 56 percent of targets to be completed, leading to a quarterback rating of 60.7 against.

NFL Game Rewind

Grimes should be covering Demaryius Thomas for the majority of snaps, as Thomas possesses elite physical traits and has excellent chemistry with quarterback Peyton Manning. Thomas has amassed 72 catches and 1,105 yards through 10 games, which makes him on pace for a career-high total for yards in a season, per Pro-Football-Reference.

As great as Manning is, Thomas ranks as PFF’s third-best wide receiver in the NFL because of his ability to play the ball in the air. Not many receivers adjust to an oncoming pass as well as Thomas, plus he also has a 6’3”, 230-pound frame that helps make up for errant throws.

Expect the Broncos to attack Grimes on back-shoulder fades throughout the game, because Thomas is simply incredible even when working with limited space. Miami will once again need a great outing from its star cornerback to help stifle the Broncos attack.

Philip Wheeler vs. Julius Thomas

Although Julius Thomas suffered an ankle injury last week against the Rams, it’s unclear whether he will play against the Dolphins on Sunday. According to Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com, Thomas doesn’t seem too worried.

“Thomas said Monday that he is 'day-to-day,' and that the injury is nothing like the one he suffered in Week 2 of the 2011 season, which led to two years of pain and stops and starts in his recovery before his breakout 2013.”

Thomas is one of the most athletic players in the NFL, let alone just tight ends. His red-zone presence has created 24 touchdowns in just 24 games, so it’s safe to say he’s the Broncos’ top option when the goal line approaches.

NFL Game Rewind

Expect Miami to defend Julius Thomas in a similar manner to how Antonio Gates was treated. That means safety Reshad Jones will give support over the top, and either the cornerback on Julius Thomas’ side or linebacker Philip Wheeler will get the underneath routes. This strategy will mitigate the chances of Thomas creating a big play because of a Wheeler missed tackle.

Wheeler has been a much better player in his limited snaps this season, which is credit to his improved performance but also defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. By limiting his role, Coyle has put Wheeler in a better position to succeed.

Inevitably, Wheeler will land in situations where he must defend Thomas, and those plays will be critical for the Dolphins defense. Whether Wheeler holds his own could be the biggest reason Miami’s defense keeps the team in position to win.

Dallas Thomas vs. Von Miller

Yet another focal point involves a Thomas, but this time it’s Miami’s Dallas Thomas that will have major pressure on his shoulders. Dallas Thomas struggled last week against Mario Williams, allowing two sacks from the power rusher, per PFF.

Week 12 won’t be any easier for Dallas Thomas in terms of quality of opponent. Von Miller of the Broncos is another elite pass-rusher, averaging a sack a game this year. He’s a terror against the run and pass because of his immense strength and athleticism. Physically there is nothing he cannot do on the field.

NFL Game Rewind

Pro Football Focus not only has Miller as the best outside linebacker in the league, but he’s safely established on top. His 38.5 cumulative grade is 17.4 points better than DeAndre Levy of the Lions and three times better than Dolphins linebacker Jelani Jenkins.

With as good as Jenkins has been this year, let that sink in about how well Miller has played.

Miami would be wise to give constant help to Dallas Thomas when Miller is lined up over him, either from tight end Dion Sims or a running back on passing plays.

Mike Wallace vs. Chris Harris Jr.

Chris Harris Jr. may not be a household name for most fans, but he’s well respected by NFL analysts. Bleacher Report Lead Draft Writer Matt Miller ranked him as the sixth-best cornerback in the league last season and had this to say about Harris:

"

Chris Harris (5’10”, 199 lbs, three seasons) might not be a name every fan recognizes, but he stands out on film. Harris lines up in the slot and has shown dominant skills there. He’s quick in space and is able to shuffle and redirect if the receiver changes direction. Harris isn’t very big but uses his hands well to press off the ball. He also showed his versatility this season, stepping out to the boundary when needed and continuing to limit targets and hold opposing quarterbacks to a low (64.9) rating.

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NFL Game Rewind

Our friends at PFF concur, grading Harris as the best cornerback in the NFL this season, allowing just 48.1 percent of all targets to be completed for a paltry 41.7 quarterback rating. Harris primarily lines up in the slot, but he will slide outside on occasion to face less physical receivers as well.

With Mike Wallace being moved around more often in 2014 than last season, chances are good that Harris and Wallace will face off more than a few times. Wallace needs to be effective with Harris on him, because Miami relies on getting every receiver involved early to keep the defense off balance.

Wallace has also been a solid red-zone receiver, being the recipient to six touchdowns this season, which is on pace to at least match his career high of 10. The Dolphins need a solid performance from Wallace in what could end up being a shootout. 

The Dolphins are an eight-point underdog at the midweek point, per Odds Shark, but Miami is a good enough team to win outright if it can execute like it did against the Bills. The Broncos are a very good team, but if Miami wins the four above key matchups, don’t be surprised if Miami ends up 7-4.

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft. 

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