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Week 2 of the 2014 NFL Preseason is already underway, with the schedule reaching the Saturday night matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers later tonight. After losing 16-10 to the Atlanta Falcons last week, the Dolphins will look to put a better defensive performance together, as well as continue the hot start of the new offense, a system that led to an opening drive touchdown and a perfect 6-for-6 passing from quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The Buccaneers come into the game learning their new offensive and defensive system under the newly hired head coach Lovie Smith. Last year, Tampa Bay had the fewest yards of offense in the league, and the third worst points scored. Miami was 27th in offensive yards and 26th in points scored.
Tampa Bay was better than the Dolphins on defense, where they were 17th in total defense, compared to Miami's 21st ranking. Miami allowed about 50 fewer yards of passing offense than the Buccaneers, with the two teams ranked 16th and 17th, respectively. The gap is much bigger, and in the Tampa Bay favor, when it comes to rushing yards, however, as the Buccaneers allowed 1,762 rushing yards, 15th in the league, while Miami allowed 1,998 yards, or the 24th most in the league.
The Buccaneers finished 2013 with a 4-12 record, tied with the Falcons as the two bottom teams in the NFC South. The Dolphins were 8-8 on the year, third place in the AFC East division, coming in just behind the New York Jets on tie breakers.
Dolphins at Buccaneers
Game time: 7:30pm ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
TV channel: Miami - CBS4; Tampa - NBC8; Orlando - ABC9 (Do I get the game live?)
NFL Network Replay: Monday, August 18, 3am ET; Wednesday, August 20, 10am ET
Radio Network: Miami - WBGG/105.9FM; WINZ/940AM; WQBA/1140AM (Spanish); Full Miami Dolphins Radio Network stations
Online streaming: NFL preseason live
TV Announcers: Miami - Dick Stockton, Bob Griese, Nat Moore, Kim Bokamper; Tampa Bay - Chris Myers, Ronde Barber
Odds: Buccaneerss by 3; O/U: 37-1/2
Pick: The Dolphins offense looked good in its one drive last week. If they stay on the field longer this week, while continuing to perform like that, the Dolphins should be able to build a lead before they hand the game over to the second- and third-string players. Miami 20-14.
Enemy blog: Bucs Nation; Twitter: @Bucs_Nation
The Phinsider on Twitter: @ThePhinsider
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Dolphins preseason schedule: Week 3 - vs. Cowboys; Week 4 - vs. Rams
Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $100,000 Fantasy Football Contest for Week 1's NFL games. It's only $10 to join and first prize is $10,000. Starts Sunday, September 7th at 1pm ET. Here's the link.