Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins: Complete Week 3 Preview for Chiefs
In Week 1, the Chiefs came out flat as the Tennessee Titans took advantage of Kansas City’s woes to run away with a 26-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium.
In Week 2, the Chiefs gave the Denver Broncos a run for their money. The Chiefs were two yards shy of tying the game, despite playing without nine starters.
What can we expect in Week 3?
With the encouraging fight against a Broncos team projected to return to the Super Bowl, Chiefs fans are anticipating the team capturing its first win of the season.
Despite the season being derailed by injuries and a couple of suspensions, there is a reason to feel optimistic and believe the Chiefs will defeat the Miami Dolphins to avoid an 0-3 start to the season.
Week 2 Recap
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Everyone was expecting a blowout. Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns in the first half to take a 21-10 lead at halftime. However, no one expected what we all witnessed last Sunday—especially after running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry had to leave early, both suffering an ankle injury.
Although they didn’t score, the Chiefs had a 10-minute drive to open up the second half, keeping Manning away from the field for 42 minutes in real time.
The Broncos were held to three points as the Chiefs threatened to tie the game late but fell short.
There are no moral victories in sports, but it gave Chiefs fans optimism. It made them feel better compared to the disastrous start in Week 1.
The Chiefs can no longer stomach a close loss and must finish on top this time. Otherwise, with all the injuries, turning the season around will be a challenge.
News and Notes
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Jamaal Charles Returns to Practice
Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles left the first quarter of Sunday’s loss with a high ankle sprain, as Knile Davis took over the rest of the game and did a fine job. The good news is NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that the MRI came back "clean" with no significant ligament damage.
ESPN’s Adam Teicher tweeted that Charles returned to practice on Thursday and looked okay. With that said, it hasn't been decided if he will play against the Dolphins.
To give Chiefs fans an idea of what the timetable could look like, Dexter McCluster missed five games with a high ankle sprain during his rookie season in 2010 with the Chiefs.
Injury Report
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Name | Position | Injury | Practice Status |
S | Foot/Quad | Full Participation in Practice | |
S | Ankle | Did Not Participate In Practice | |
WR | Quad | Full Participation in Practice | |
RB | Ankle | Limited Participation in Practice | |
RB | Foot | Full Participation in Practice | |
LB | Ankle/Knee | Limited Participation in Practice | |
WR | Shoulder | Full Participation in Practice | |
WR | Hip | Full Participation in Practice | |
C | Shoulder | Full Participation in Practice | |
LB | Quad/Tricep | Full Participation in Practice | |
RB | Hamstring | Did Not Participate In Practice | |
WR | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice |
The odds of Jamaal Charles playing on Sunday are uncertain. It might be best to keep him out of this game to avoid further injury.
The Chiefs may be without rookie De’Anthony Thomas, who was limited on Wednesday but did not practice on Thursday.
The Chiefs might be thin again in the backfield, as Cyrus Gray will likely be the backup to Knile Davis at running back.
Injury information courtesy of ESPN.com.
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X-Factors and Key Matchups
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Earlier this week, I wrote about four key matchups that Chiefs fans need to keep an eye on.
"1. LT Eric Fisher vs. RDE Olivier Vernon
Former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher has struggled since he entered the league. This year, he reverted to left tackle, his old position. So far, Fisher’s best game as a Chief came this past Sunday when he silenced one of the best pass-rushers in the game today in DeMarcus Ware.
This week, Fisher has to prove he can continue his performance by doing it in back-to-back games against highly rated defensive ends and outside linebackers.
Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon is coming off an impressive second season in which he registered 11.5 sacks.
If Jamaal Charles is out, the team may go pass-heavy against the Dolphins, and Fisher will need to come through again.
2. WR Dwayne Bowe vs. CB Cortland Finnegan
Dwayne Bowe will have his hands full in Week 3 when he goes up against Pro Bowl cornerback Cortland Finnegan.
Bowe had a quiet return when he rejoined the Chiefs against the Broncos in Week 2. He pulled in three passes for 40 yards. Donnie Avery had the same amount of catches for 14 yards.
Although Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has a tough challenge ahead of him this week, he managed to do well against Denver’s secondary consisting of Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, Bradley Roby and Rahim Moore. Smith should do well distributing the ball, even against Finnegan.
3. OLB Tamba Hali vs. LT Branden Albert
It is always fun to see two former teammates go at it. This will be Branden Albert’s first game against the Chiefs since he left the team this offseason.
So far as a Miami Dolphin, Albert has allowed half a sack. The former Chiefs Pro Bowler will be going up against old teammate and fellow Pro Bowler Tamba Hali.
Hali, a four-time Pro Bowler, earned his first sack of the season last week against Peyton Manning. Even in games when he doesn’t record a sack, Hali always finds a way to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Both players are familiar with each other from practices in Kansas City since 2008. Nevertheless, Hali’s speed might be a little too much for Albert.
4. OLB Justin Houston vs. RT Ja’Wuan James
It has been a rough start to the season for Ja’Wuan James. He’s allowed a sack, but also committed holding and false start penalties, costing the team 15 yards in two games.
Justin Houston is coming off a strong 11-sack season and is already off to a good start after collecting a pair of sacks in the season opener.
With Hali also providing pressure from the other side, expect Houston to get in on the fun with quarterback pressures and sacks.
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X-Factor: TE Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano's circus reception against Denver is an early candidate for catch of the year. The catch was crucial, as it came on third down and eventually led to a touchdown score.
So far through two games, he’s caught six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. He was limited last year to only nine games but still made an impact when given the chance, with 23 catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns.
In an offense where Alex Smith will use his tight ends often, the Chiefs will need the nine-year veteran out of Notre Dame to come through and help the team continue to move the chains and lead it to touchdown scores.
Prediction
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Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has had a good connection on the field with wide receiver Mike Wallace. The two have hooked up 12 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns, and eight of his catches have gone for a first down.
In order to limit Wallace and give him a small chance of having a good game, pass-rushers Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Dontari Poe will need to bring pressure from the left, right and middle.
Despite all of the injuries the Chiefs have dealt with, they still have the three pass-rushers who lifted the team early last year, which is what they'll need in this game and beyond when facing some elite quarterbacks.
If the Chiefs can dominate time of possession once again, it will create momentum and confidence as well as make it difficult for Miami to have a chance to score.
Alex Smith improved with his ability to protect the football, going from a three-interception game to throwing none. In fact, Kansas City’s defense has yet to create a turnover through the 0-2 start. It has a good chance to get one against a team that’s already committed four giveaways.
At the end of the day, the Chiefs know they face the possibility of going 0-3. Chiefs coach Andy Reid does not need to remind them of that.
The team must refocus and make minor adjustments from last week’s loss. If it does, it’ll come away with a win and start moving in the right direction.
Score: Chiefs 27, Dolphins 24
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