Broncos at Dolphins - Position by Position Breakdown

by Kevin Nogle on Oct 23, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in 2012 Miami Dolphins News

Miami Dolphins' quarterback Matt Moore has the advantage over second year Broncos' QB Tim Tebow.

Here we are, just a couple of hours away from the start of the Dolphins' Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos. But, before we get to the game, we have to get to the position by position breakdown of both teams, and to my official pick for the game.

Make the jump to see everything:

Pos	Adv	Reason
QB		Matt Moore or Tim Tebow. I'm going to lean toward the guy with more experience. That means Moore.
RB	Push	Willis McGahee is starting for the Broncos, and Knowshon Moreno will come off the bench. McGahee does grade out as the 16th best running back, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Miami has Reggie Bush, who, until last week, couldn't find any space at all, and a rookie in Daniel Thomas, who, when he's been able to play, has looked promising. I'm going to make this a push, but I could see this being Miami's due to the struggles Moreno has had this year, while Miami seems to have finally figured out how to use Bush.
WR/TE		The Broncos just traded away their top receiver, Brandon Lloyd. Now, they have Eric Decker, Eddie Royal, Remaryius Thomas, Matthews Willis, and Quan Cosby. Add in the tight ends, and they have Daniel Fells, Julius Thomas, Virgil Green, and former Dolphin Dante Rosario. Meanwhile, Miami has former Bronco Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, Marlon Moore, Clyde Gates, Anthony Fasano, Jeron Matrud, and Will Yeatman. While all these guys won't be active on game day, no matter what combination you use, Miami has the advantage here.
OL		Football Outsiders grades the Broncos' offensive line as the 18th best run blocking unit in the league, and the 16th best pass blocking. miami is ranked 6th and 30th. I'll give this to Denver, sicne they are at least respectable in both categories.
DL		Turning again to Football Oustiders, the Broncos are the 7th best d-line against the run, and 9th against the pass. Miami? 25th and 25th, Denver.
LB		Neither linebacker corps has been performing up to their pre-season projected levels. Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller for the Broncos need to get going this year. Meanwhile, Cameron Wake, Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, and Jason Taylor (yes, I skipped Koa Misi) for the Dolphins have the same issue. I'm going to lean Miami's way, simply because they have more talent. But, Denver can continue to streak of games where Miami's LBs are shut down.
DB	Push	Champ Bailey vs. Vontae Davis. Andre Goodman vs. Sean Smith. For the CBs, the advantage goes to Miami. But, at safety, Denver takes it, with Miami most likely starting two backups at the position. Overall, push.
ST		Until someone can convince me otherwise, I will continue to give this to Miami as long as Brandon Fields continues to kick the air out of footballs.

Prediction: Miami, 24-21

Record Predicting Dolphins Games: 1-4

Record Predicting All NFL Games: 53-37

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

GO PHINS !!!

Eat some gator today !!!!

founding member of the dolphins really old bastards fan club GO PHINS... TO THE GRAVE BABY!

by daytonadolfan on Oct 23, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

Which game did you pick Miami to lose Mosul?

by phinsphan85 on Oct 23, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

New England.

The Phinsider

Sept. 26, 2010 - 2012/2013 Draft Kyle Padron Bandwagon

by Kevin Nogle on Oct 23, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

New England.

The Phinsider

Sept. 26, 2010 - 2012/2013 Draft Kyle Padron Bandwagon

by Kevin Nogle on Oct 23, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I understood ya the first time ;)

I’ll be keeping track of the game online as usual today. Here in the New England region today we get Chargers-Jets and Falcons-Lions. Pretty good games. This Detroit suddenly on TV every week thing is tough to get used to lol

by phinsphan85 on Oct 23, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

This is Tebow day

Watching the pre game show I see a lot of Tebow Jersey

Officially on board with Suck for Luck

by biggaandbadda on Oct 23, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

The live reactions after scores should be interesting

by phinsphan85 on Oct 23, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

yea it a lot of fin fans in their Gator Tebow jersey

Are they going cheer for Tebow or the Dolphins

Officially on board with Suck for Luck

by biggaandbadda on Oct 23, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps a Dolphins win and a great Tebow performance

by phinsphan85 on Oct 23, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Eric Decker is someone to watch

We’ll probably see him targeted if Tebow doesn’t get killed in his half-hour long wind up :)

Alright guys, first win on our way to 11-5!! (insert dull, deflating trumpet sound effect here)

On that note, hopefully we can all enjoy a solid win and have a good Sunday.

Cheers, mates! (and I’ll even extend that to the S.F.Luck-ers that I despise)

Did my best, good luck Sparano, good luck Henne, looks like ch-ch-ch-changes.....

by Red Dog on Oct 23, 2011 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

hope dolphins win

Tired of fans cheering for the Broncos just because of Tebow

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

Real fans don’t need a reason.

"Real G's move in silence like lasagna.." lol

by TheTealDeal on Oct 23, 2011 12:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

It going to be really tough again this week Mosul

as it is in this league every week. They have a good club. Very stingy up front on the Defensive Line, they have some outstanding talent up there. They are hard to run on and they have dangerous pass rushers. They have some great talent at corner (not only Bailey and Goodie but also Cassius Vaughn who as Ive already stated Im very high on and who Dennis Allen has tremendous faith on) and a good rotation at safety with the finally healthy Brian Dawkins, a very impressive Quinton Carter and the young Rahim Moore. They have some issues at Linebacker but the versatily of Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller allow them to maintain good rotation and Joe Mays is in my opinion a vwery underrated player at MLB.

Offensively they have soem issues notably (and obviously at Quarterback) but they have two very skilled and different backs and as Red Dog pointed out they are deceptively deep at WR. Not only the more famous players in Demaryius Thomas or the dangerous Eddie Royal, but also Eric Decker. Very skilled reliable reciever.

That this squad is 1-4 is a testament to the incredible competetiveness of the NFL more than anything else.

2008 AFC EAST Champions.

by civwarbuff on Oct 23, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions