Miami Dolphins Vs. Cleveland Browns: 3 Key Match-Ups

Frankly, this game scares me to death. Home opener. We’re expected to win, 10 point favorites at this point.

We spent Week 1 enduring our longest road trip of the season, only to return to the Massholes in Foxborough the following week. I can see the need to take a breath and enjoy the fact that we’re home.

Except for the fact that we’ve lost to Geno Smith, Thad Lewis, and a litany of other bottom-feeding QB scoundrels that I cannot fully rule out the possibility of Cody Kessler having success against our secondary. Seriously, Thad Lewis beat us. Twice.

We absolutely cannot overlook this game in preparation for a short week traveling to Cincinnati in Week 4. What kind of statement will we make on Sunday? Here are 3 match-ups that will help shape that conversation:

3) Ndamukong Suh Vs. Alvin Bailey

Ndamukong Suh had, what, 12 tackles last week? HAHA!

There’s no question that the game plan begins and ends with stopping the Cleveland Browns rushing attack. With Suh getting consistent interior pressure, it’ll be much easier to accomplish this goal, while also occasionally scaring the s*** out of a rookie QB making his 1st start if he drops back for a pass.

2) DeVante Parker Vs. Joe Haden

This isn’t just a key match-up for this particular game, but it’s an indication of the match-ups that DeVante Parker can be expected to win in the future. It’s a diagnostic tool, if you will. Remember how the Dolphins suck at figuring out what we have in young players? I want to see how DeVante Parker fares in his match-up with Joe Haden.

13 targets in his 1st appearance was flattering. Will Tannehill continue to just flirt with Parker, or are they going to become Facebook-official “in a relationship” status?

1) Miami Dolphins Vs. Miami Dolphins

You’ve seen the recipe before. Dolphins favored. Dolphins play down to competition. Dolphins make stupid penalties. Dolphins throw INT’s and hike the ball 15 yards behind our QB. Dolphins either barely sneak out victory or lose.

The most important element of this entire game is our collective sense of relative accomplishment or apathy. We haven’t done anything - and that should piss us off. We can’t just chalk this one up! I believe we’ll be able to tell a lot about the mental composition of this team and how Adam Gase handles his players in how we approach a game like this.

What key match-ups do you see Phinsider Nation? Let’s hear it in the Comments!