Dallas Cowboys (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)
4:05 pm EST, FOX
Dolphin Stadium
Partly Cloudy, 89 degrees, 40% chance of T-storms
Line: Cowboys -4, Over/Under 41
Team Offensive Rankings
Cowboys - 1st total offense (478), 8th rush offense (142), 1st pass offense (336), 1st scoring offense (45)
Dolphins - 19th total offense (273), 28th rush offense (66), 9th pass offense (207), 22nd scoring offense (13)
Team Defensive Rankings
Cowboys - 29th total defense (438), 21st rush defense (124), 31st pass offense (314), 28th scoring defense (35)
Dolphins - 27th total defense (400), 30th rush defense (191), 25th pass defense (209), 16th scoring defense (16)
Today's Inactives
Cowboys: CB Terence Newman, G Joe Berger, CB Courtney Brown, LB Greg Ellis T Doug Free, WR Terry Glenn, T James Marten and WR Isaiah Stanback
Dolphins: QB John Beck, DB Courtney Bryan, RB Lorenzo Booker, CB Andre Goodman, DT Paul Soliai, DB Lamont Thompson, LB Abraham Wright and DT Rodrique Wright
3 Absolute Keys to the Game
1. Shut down the run. Like I've said all week, Dallas likes to set up their offense by running it early. The Dolphins will need to stop the run, especially early in the game, to make this offense one dimensional.
2. Be efficient on offense. This Dolphins offense has to be efficient today because the Cowboys offense will put up points. The Dolphins need to get more out of the running game, especially with Dallas missing their starting nose tackle. If Ronnie can get going, that will make it even easier for Trent to make plays in the passing game. If this offense can be efficient, then they can stay in this game.
3. Keep it close. Whenever you play against a team that has more talent than you, what you want to do is try and keep the game close. If the Dolphins can cut this game down to just one quarter, meaning Miami is within one score, tied, or leading entering the 4th quarter, then they will have a real chance of pulling the upset. However, if they fall behind early and are forced to play catch-up, I would tend to think that the Dolphins are in serious trouble.
Prediction: Dolphins play better and keep it close, but lose 24-23
GO DOLPHINS!!!!
**UPDATE**: Well that game went downhill in a hurry. It was 13-10 Dolphins...then it was suddenly 23-13. Depressing to say the least. Look for my thoughts on this game either later tonight or sometime tomorrow. In the meantime, let's hear what you guys got to say about this performance.