:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20390057/20130922_krj_ac9_298.0.jpg)
Sitting at 3-0, the Miami Dolphins head to the Superdome tonight to face the 3-0 New Orleans Saints. How do the Dolphins match up against the Saints? Let's take a look.
| Match up | Advantage | Remarks |
| Dolphins passing offense vs. New Orleans pass defense |
 |
Dolphins pass offense: 14 This one is close. It really will come down to how well can the team protect Tannehill against an invigorated Saints pass rush. With the weapons the Dolphins have (Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews, Charles Clay, Dion Sims, Michael Egnew, Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas), along with the injuries to the secondary the Saints have, I'll give the slight edge to Miami right now. |
| Dolphins rushing offense vs. New Orleans run defense | |
Dolphins rush offense: 28 The Dolphins found the start of a running game last week against the Atlanta Falcons, and the Saints have not been good against the run this year, allowing over 5-yards per attempt this year. Miami's run statistics are skewed thanks to their abysmal Week 1 performance against the Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins should have the edge whenever they run the ball - assuming they do. |
| Saints passing offense vs. Miami pass defense |
 |
Saints pass offense: 4 Cameron Wake is injured and may or may not play for the Dolphins. The Saints have Drew Brees. Things aren't starting off well for the Dolphins in this match up. The Dolphins will not have starting cornerback Dimitri Patterson. The Saints have Jimmy Graham. The Saints pass offense has the edge on paper, but don't be surprised if Kevin Coyle comes up with some creative way to negate the potential missing players. |
| Saints rushing offense vs. Miami run defense | |
Saints rush offense: 24 I retain the rights to change this if Paul Soliai is playing. The Saints don't run the ball, but they have a decent collection of Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and Darren Sproles to take advantage of the lack of Soliai in the middle. The strength of the Dolphins' defense was supposed to be the run stopping, but that hasn't happened so far. Slight edge to New Orleans, with the Dolphins retaking it if Soliai is in the game. |
| Dolphins special teams vs. New Orleans special teams | |
Caleb Sturgis. Brandon Fields. Edge Miami. |
Prediction:
This should be a great game, with both teams able to pass the ball, and probably a fairly high scoring final. At this point, I give the edge to the Saints because it's in the Superdome. This is a prediction I absolutely hope I get wrong. Final: Saints 34-28.
More Dolphins Coverage:
Join the discussion: Sign up for your free Phinsider and SB Nation account