Cleveland Browns Vs. Miami Dolphins: 10 Things Dolfans Should Watch for Sunday
No Brandon Marshall and injuries to Chad Henne and Jake Long created some ominous clouds around Dolphins camp, but a 33-17 whopping of the Oakland Raiders has cleared the air heading into this week's showdown versus Peyton Hillis and the Cleveland Browns.
The Dolphins' Week 12 victory in the Black Hole keeps their playoff hopes intact, though they remain two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second and final Wild Card spot.
If Miami wishes to reach the postseason, it may need to win out, making this Sunday's game a must win.
The Browns, meanwhile, lie outside of the playoff picture at 4-7, but do not be fooled by their record. Cleveland is the feistiest team in the league.
Revisiting their schedule, the Browns could arguably be 8-3. They have lost five games by seven points or less. But Cleveland has managed to blow out both the Saints and the Patriots, proving their true skill to the rest of the league.
This Sunday will provide a serious test for the Dolphins. This is by no means a brush-off game.
Here are 10 things to watch for heading into one of Week 13's most intriguing matchups.
Can Chad Henne Build Off His Best Performance of 2010?
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In the face of major criticism and speculation that he is not the long-term answer at quarterback, Chad Henne delivered arguably his best performance of 2010.
Henne completed 17 of his 30 passing attempts for 307 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders' fifth-ranked passing defense despite playing with a bum knee.
But one solid game is not nearly enough to silence the doubters. Henne must show that he is capable of performing so well on a weekly basis, and a matchup against a measly Browns secondary is a perfect opportunity to do so.
If Henne wants to prove his worth, putting up great numbers against inferior defenses is a must.
The Offense's Success Without Brandon Marshall
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Is Brandon Marshall hampering Miami's passing game?
We all hope not, but the offense did seem to flow much smoother than usual in Oakland on Sunday.
Davone Bess surpassed 100 yards receiving, Brian Hartline had one of his best games of the season and Marlon Moore finally saw enough playing time to utilize his deadly speed.
When Marshall is on the field, the Dolphins seem hell-bent on forcing the football his way, rather than allowing the game to develop and giving him the ball at the appropriate times.
Chad Henne thrived spreading the ball around against the Raiders, and if Marshall returns this Sunday, Miami must let him settle into the rotation.
Will Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace's Expanded Roles Continue?
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Whether or not Brandon Marshall plays on Sunday, undrafted free agent wide receivers Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace should be integrated into this week's game plan.
Both have been serving time on special teams this season, but given ample reps on Sunday, both made game-breaking plays. Moore caught a 57-yard touchdown pass, and Wallace reeled in an impressive 19-yard reception.
Moore possesses the kind of speed the Dolphins lost with the departure of Ted Ginn, Jr. He could eventually be the key to freeing up Brandon Marshall.
Wallace, meanwhile, has a similar build to Marshall, and if he can learn from his elder, he could become another huge target for Chad Henne.
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Can Dan Henning Successfully Insert Variety into the Offense?
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Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning may be fired after this season given the Dolphins' season-long struggles in the red zone, in the rushing game and getting Brandon Marshall the ball.
On Sunday, however, Henning finally showed some willingness to shake up his normally redundant and inefficient play calling. The Wildcat returned to play a notable role, Tyler Thigpen ran some new packages that utilize his athleticism and Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace received reps.
Most importantly, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams finally got back on track, combining for 180 yards rushing.
If Henning can maintain this energy and success from his offense for the duration of the season, he may have another year in Miami.
Peyton Hillis Vs. Miami's Run Defense
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Before shutting down Darren McFadden on Sunday, the Dolphins' rushing defense had been very kind to opposing running backs.
Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte and Ray Rice, amongst others, ran all over Miami's 14th-ranked rushing defense.
This week, they are pinned up against Cleveland's Peyton Hillis. Labeling Hillis a beast is doing him a disservice. He is a behemoth and a man amongst men. Hillis is ninth in the league in rushing, and his bruising running style could give the Dolphins problems on Sunday.
Will Tony Sparano's Wake-Up Calls to Vontae Davis and Sean Smith Last?
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In an effort to send a message to his duo of sophomore cornerbacks, Tony Sparano benched Vontae Davis and Sean Smith at the beginning of Sunday's game in Oakland.
Sparano started Benny Sapp and Al Harris above the pair, citing undisclosed reasons.
Davis and Smith eventually entered the game, and although they had decent afternoons, both whiffed on a handful of tackles. Whether or not Sparano was irked by Davis and Smith's performance or off-the-field matters, these two need to get their act together.
Much of Miami's future hinges on their progression, and they have a great rebound opportunity against Colt McCoy and the Browns' 28th-ranked passing offense.
Jake Long's Shoulder
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The Dolphins currently stand at 6-5, which leaves them two full games out of the final Wild Card spot.
Two games might sound like a doable task, and it is, but with the Colts, Chargers, Steelers and Patriots standing in their way, the Dolphins' playoff chances appear much more depressing.
Obviously, Miami will continue to play at 100 percent in hopes of catching a hot streak and making a playoff run.
However, if the Dolphins lose to the Browns on Sunday (and even if they win), will the Dolphins shut down Jake Long? He has been noticeably slowed by a shoulder injury suffered against the Bears, and by continuing to play, Long is risking further and severe injury.
Watching Long cringe and give up sacks is tough to watch, especially considering he may be one play away from a major injury.
Special Teams Woes Return in Time for Josh Cribbs
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Just when it appeared as though Miami had patched most of its special teams holes, south Florida native Jacoby Ford returned the opening kickoff of Sunday's game 101 yards for a touchdown.
Special teams miscues cannot be overlooked, especially when it leads to points for the opponent.
This week, Browns return man Joshua Cribbs will march into town, boasting a reputation as one of the league's deadliest players.
After a great season in 2009, teams are focused on Cribbs much like they focus on players like Devin Hester. But even if the Dolphins prepare for Cribbs, it is almost difficult to imagine them stopping him.
On a side note, beware of Cribbs' role with Cleveland's offense. He is virtually everywhere, playing everything from quarterback to running back to wide receiver. The Dolphins have shown how vulnerable they are to multiple-threat players like Cribbs in their struggles containing the Jets' Brad Smith.
Miami's Struggles Against Conservative Teams
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Many of Miami's five losses this season have come at the hands of conservative, run-first teams.
The 'Fins have fallen to the Jets, Ravens, Bears and Steelers, all of whom generally rely on heavy doses of their stud running backs. Ironically, however, three of those teams (Steelers, Ravens, Jets) ended up beating the Dolphins through the air.
Everybody expects Cleveland to enter Sunday's game relying heavily on Peyton Hillis, but there is a good chance Eric Mangini will try to surprise Miami and let Colt McCoy conduct an aerial assault.
Score Prediction
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Coming off a road victory in a West Coast, hostile environment, the Dolphins should carry plenty of momentum and swagger into Sunday's matchup against the Browns.
However, the Dolphins always tend to play down towards inferior opponents, making this matchup a little bit of a trap game.
That being said, the Browns may not actually be an inferior opponent. As previously mentioned, they could easily be 8-3 or 7-4, and they seem to play their best against the league's better teams.
But Miami is returning home and Chad Henne's knee injury will only improve with time. Whether or not Brandon Marshall returns, the Dolphins offense may have finally hit its stride and should overwhelm Cleveland's 22nd-ranked defense.
This will be a close game, but Miami's fortune will prevail over the Browns' season-long tough luck.
Dolphins 30, Browns 24
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