2009 Miami Dolphins Match-Ups

AND IN THIS CORNER...

The 2009 NFL Miami Dolphins football season gets under way September 13th on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. There is plenty of star power returning on the offensive side of the ball so their success this year may hinge on the play of the defense. 

Known at times for their strength on that side of the ball (Super 70’s teams & the Killer B’s come to mind), will they rise to the occasion when playing the likes of New England, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh? With Jason Taylor back in the fold and more experience in year two of the Tony Sparano’s system, Miami has the potential to repeat as Champs. 

Key word: potential.  

Can they stay healthy and avoid the injury bug throughout the year? Will the players mesh and be able to stop the run? Will they be able to beat the Patriots with Tom Brady at the helm? 

These and other questions will play out at a venue near you. What follows is a brief breakdown of match-ups for the Fins and how they may fare against their foes this year.

ATLANTA FALCONS

The Falcons offense was potent last year and bringing in All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez will only help matters. Like Miami, it remains to be seen if the Birds defense will come through and get the offense back on the field. 

The Dolphins will find themselves in a tight game against a look alike team but Joey Porter and co. will do just enough to get the win.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Colts find themselves with a new head coach this year on the sidelines. How will Jim Caldwell’s experience play out this year as the head man? Another intriguing matchup between the surgical precision of Peyton Manning and the secondary of the Fins. 

If Miami can limit the YAC (yards after catch) they can find themselves in the winners circle again. Indy will be able to move the ball but so will the Dolphins and being in the Miami heat of early September favors the home team.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Discipline on defensive will be the order of the day as Miami visits the Chargers. Facing a balanced attack against LT and Phillip Rivers will provide a hefty challenge for the boys on D. 

Can “Lights Out” Merriman get to Chad Pennington? He will have to find receivers and let them make plays to stay in this one. 

There are plenty of options to go underneath if SD sells out to stop the run.  Still, another close game on the road usually spells a win for the home team.

BUFFALO BILLS

Now more of a threat with T.O. on the field, the Dolphins D must generate pressure and get to the quarterback in what will be an opening conference match-up. There is more talent overall on Miami’s side of the ball but in the NFL parity reigns supreme. 

Look for another close game with a good showing against the run for the Fins.

NEW YORK JETS

Rex Ryan and company fear nobody and they visit for a Monday night game in what is another conference tussle. Mark “Dirty” Sanchez may well be the starter at this point of the season but rookies are prone to mistakes, especially under pressure. 

Pennington’s cool presence in the pocket can pay dividends against the talented secondary of New York. Known for his expertise on that side of the ball, Ryan will have his boys ready in what will be a close game.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

An improved defense overall with a big emphasis on hitting and 100% effort 100% of the time will help the New Orleans against the Dolphins. Drew Brees is one of the best in the business and Miami will have to come out firing after a week off…will they be able to do it or will they be flat?

NEW YORK JETS

Round 2 in NY is up next for the Fins. What did each team learn in the first game? How effective is the wildcat with so far? Has Pat White been able to shine in limited action? 

Look for a trick or two emerging from this game to keep the Jets off guard. Always a big rivalry game and this year it will be the last one at the Meadowlands will there be plenty of fireworks in the 4th quarter? Miami’s run game should make the difference.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Look who’s back... yes he’s back. Not Slim shady, but Tom Brady. Last year the Fins took out the Pats via the Wildcat, will they be able to do it again this year?  Likely not with a healthy NE team at home. 

Still, if Miami executes it’s offense and limits mistakes and deep balls on defense they will be in this game. It just won’t be enough.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

A Sunshine State Showdown. Tampa is rebuilding in many areas and the Dolphins will capitalize on getting to the QB. The triple threat of Brown, Williams, and Cobbs will provide enough run support to get the win. 

At this point in the season injuries likely will be a factor for many teams and superior depth start to pay off.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

A tough match-up of the Fins secondary against veteran Jake Delhomme. Steve Smith will get his catches however, the Dolphins must be patient in getting their offense going. 

Carolina just inked Julius Peppers to another deal and he will be delivering. Again, fewest mistakes made will decide this game.

BUFFALO BILLS

On the road in late November helps the Bills not the warm weather Dolphins right? Not so fast, who did Miami beat to get to the last game and still have a chance to win the AFC East? 

Kansas City. In single digit temps. On the road. 

Toughness will be at the heart of the matter in this game. Who has more of it and who has more to play for?

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Will Bill Belichick be cruising to another division championship by now? Getting the Pats in South Florida in December will help this late in the season. Could this game decide who goes to the playoffs and who doesn’t? 

Will some” trickeration” provide the Fins with enough juice to stay in this game?  Anything is possible but it will be tough for Miami to “hold serve.”  

With Tom Brady and a healthy supporting cast, it will be a challenge to bring them down. The Dolphins can move the ball against this D but if they can’t do it in the red zone chalk up another W for the Pats.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

David Garrad and Maurice-Jones Drew give punch to Jacksonville’s offense but Miami’s D-line matches up well with this group. In what could be Jack Del Rio’s swan song the Jags could be in trouble at this point. 

Look for Chad Henne and Pat White to get meaningful minutes in this game.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Jeff Fisher knows football. Tennessee returns some playmakers on offense and that will be enough to get the W in this game in Nashville. A stout defensive line will be able to get Titan offense back on the field in what will be a close game. 

Vince Young on the run can present problems against any team if Kerry Collins is injured at this point in the season.

HOUSTON TEXANS

A team that has been close to getting to the playoffs the last couple of years is ready to break the door down this year. Lots or returning players will make this game an interesting one. 

Miami will be looking to close out the tough home stretch beginning here. They better be focusing on the Houston and not the next game against: the Defending Super Bowl Champs. 

Sparano will have his team focused.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Pittsburgh will come to town to end the regular season.  Solid everywhere it will be tough for the Fins to finish with a win. Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, and a solid running game with a healthy Rashard Mendenhall will be enough to generate points against the Dolphin D.

If Miami is hitting on all cylinders and the playmakers are healthy it’s anyone’s game.