Texans vs. Dolphins: Full Miami Game Preview
On Sunday, we were treated to a different Miami Dolphins team than the one that started off the season.
This was a tougher, faster, more physical team than we had seen, using a game plan that should've been in place since Week 1.
Now comes the hard part: doing it two weeks in a row and turning their 2-3 record into 3-3.
For the second week of the Dan Campbell era, the Dolphins host the Houston Texans in only their second "true" home game of the season. Houston, coming into the game at 2-4, has looked bad at times this season—one might even suggest that when they've looked bad, they've looked worse than the Dolphins.
There is history that suggests, regardless of records, that Houston will win the game. The Texans are 7-0 against Miami all-time.
A win would mean history for the Dolphins, as they would have beaten all 31 other NFL teams. A loss might curb the enthusiasm of Dolphins fans about Campbell.
Here's a preview of Sunday's battle between the Texans and Dolphins.
Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 5 Results and Recap
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Miami hadn't played a game as complete as its 38-10 drubbing of the Tennessee Titans since last year when it shut out the San Diego Chargers.
It was unfortunate that the Dolphins couldn't shut out the Titans, but they still got the intended result of a victory.
Cameron Wake was the defensive player of the game thanks to his four sacks and two forced fumbles. However, one must look at the role of Ndamukong Suh, who occupied Titans blockers and allowed Wake (and Olivier Vernon) to be sprung free.
On offense, Lamar Miller was the spark, turning in his first 100-plus-yard game of the season and scoring his first touchdown of 2015. This was due to an offensive line that overpowered Tennessee's defensive line with the help of the insertion of Billy Turner at right guard.
In the end, it was a fantastic game for Miami that has Campbell at 1-0 in his young coaching career.
News and Notes
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Vernon Fined By NFL
Olivier Vernon had one of the biggest plays of the day when he ran into Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, hurting the rookie's knee in the process.
The hit led to a "roughing the passer" penalty, despite the fact that film showed that Vernon was partially shoved into Mariota by Taylor Lewan.
According to Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel, Vernon was fined by the NFL for the hit, a fine that he is currently appealing.
There's good reason to appeal the fine, as Lewan did pull down Vernon's arm, shoving him into Mariota. On top of that, while Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt claimed that Vernon was trying to hurt Mariota, Mariota himself said that Vernon apologized to him and checked to see if he was alright after the hit.
The actions taken by Vernon after the hit show no malicious intent and should result in his fines being recinded. It's just doubtful that it will happen.
Campbell Sees No Pressure To Play DeVante Parker
It has become a recurring theme this season that the Dolphins don't play DeVante Parker enough.
There's a reason for that, as Campbell would explain, per Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post: He's competing with Rishard Matthews.
This is where it gets tough for Parker to get any playing time, as Matthews is on pace for a 1,000-plus-yard season as a starter.
The only thing that doesn't make sense is why Parker is not starting over Greg Jennings. Jennings is the weak link in Miami's receiving unit, and it would be better for Parker to get his reps filling in for Jennings than it would be for Jennings to be on the field.
Jennings' play on the field has been a disappointment, while Parker's been disappointing because he hasn't been getting on the field.
Jay Ajayi Back in Practice
We all saw how Miami's run game could play when used on Sunday, but one more player could make it better.
That player would be a power back who can also catch passes out of the backfield and pass-block.
Miami has one of those running backs on the roster in rookie Jay Ajayi. However, he has been out since Week 1, when he was placed on injured reserve and labeled as designated to return.
The IR placement didn't allow for Ajayi to practice until Week 6. Ajayi practiced with the Dolphins, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and will be eligible to come back for Miami's eighth game of the season against the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo.
Campbell said that Ajayi looked good on Wednesday when he practiced.
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
| Branden Albert | LT | Hamstring | Limited |
| Zack Bowman | CB | Non-Injury | Did Not Practice |
| A.J. Francis | DT | Back | Limited |
| Brent Grimes | CB | Knee | Limited |
| Reshad Jones | S | Shoulder | Limited |
| Brice McCain | CB | Knee | Limited |
| Jordan Phillips | DT | Ankle | Limited |
| Kenny Stills | WR | Back | Limited |
| Cameron Wake | DE | Hamstring | Limited |
Injury information provided by MiamiDolphins.com
All of these injuries are "nagging," save for Bowman's non-injury reason for missing practice. Expect most of these players to suit up and play on Sunday. More updates will be made as new information comes in.
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Key Matchups
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Texans DE J.J. Watt vs. Dolphins Tight End Dion Sims
You were probably expecting me to pair J.J. Watt with offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James, but instead, the matchup is with Sims.
In order to neutralize Watt and the Texans' pass rush, you will see a lot of tight end sets. Sims serves as the main blocking tight end and will be placed on the right side next to James, right where Watt intends on running to get to Ryan Tannehill.
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Dolphins CB Jamar Taylor
There's not a lot of offense with Houston, but despite the shortcomings of having a quarterback controversy between Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer, DeAndre Hopkins has been Houston's top offensive player.
He will get the majority of Houston's targets on Sunday and will likely be covered by Jamar Taylor. Taylor has a lot to work on at corner and could use the learning experience to show the Dolphins why he was a second-round pick in 2013 or why he may not even be worth a seventh-rounder in 2016.
Texans NT Vince Wilfork vs. Dolphins C Mike Pouncey
Vince Wilfork isn't the same Wilfork who anchored a tremendous Patriots defense, but he is still a dangerous force up the middle for any team to have or play against.
Mike Pouncey gets the assignment of Wilfork, just as he has since the start of his career when Wilfork was in New England.
X-Factors
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Dolphins' X-Factor: Kenny Stills
You will see a long Tannehill touchdown.
The Dolphins and their (hopefully) continued dedication to the run will provide even more time for the passing game to take off. Last week, Tannehill threw it up to Kenny Stills from Miami's 2-yard line, resulting in a 38-yard gain.
Expect the same thing from Stills, with the only differences being that he will catch a touchdown pass and the throw will be made much closer to the end zone than the team's 2-yard line.
Texans' X-Factor: Arian Foster
It's not often that Arian Foster is considered an X-factor, but he is this week due to how a groin injury has hampered his season. According to the team's website, he was limited in practice in Wednesday.
He may show up against a Dolphins team still struggling to stop the run game.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Texans 10
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The Dolphins have yet to beat the Houston Texans since their inception in 2002.
In that time, the Dolphins have defeated every other NFL franchise except the Philadelphia Eagles. Will that "Texans curse" end on Sunday? Be confident that it does.
The Texans have a huge hole at quarterback. With both Mallett and Hoyer, simply getting pressure on them will lead to turnovers.
That's how Miami defeated the Titans, a team with a much more mobile quarterback (even on one leg).
It's Campbell's home opener, and unlike Joe Philbin, expect him to open with a bang.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Texans 10
Statistics provided by NFL.com unless otherwise noted.
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