The Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) visit the Miami Dolphins (1-1) after consecutive losses to the Tennessee Titans (26-10) and Denver Broncos (24-17). In their first game, which was at home, Miami surprised New England, beating them 33-20. Then the Fins travelled to Buffalo where they lost 29-10. The question regarding this game is which team will get on the winning track?
Kansas City is in search of some offense and they need to mount an effective pass defense at some point this season. In every major area, they are in the bottom half of all NFL teams.
Quarterback Alex Smith has given up 3 INTs and been sacked six times while passing for just one touchdown. The team’s top offensive weapon is running back Knile Davis who has rushed for 2 TDs and a total of 82 yards. He’s also caught seven passes for 29 yards. Receiver Donnie Avery is the only player to reach the double-digit number, 10, on catches.
The Kansas City sack leader is Justin Houston, who’s earned two of the five takedowns. LB Josh Mauga, who is second in tackles with a total of 14, is a solid player. Strong safety Eric Berry leads the team in total tackles with 15. The Chiefs are a team that is challenged in stopping the pass. This being the case, they may have a log day in Miami.
The one thing that may help the Chiefs in this game is the fact that Miami is so lacking as a NFL team. In this matchup of two less than mediocre clubs, Kansas City can win if they can take advantage of Miami’s weak defense.
Is this Dolphin team any good? On paper, they look better than the Chiefs, but the question is how will they execute? They’ve had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde start to their season, scoring 33 against the Pats and just 10 points in Buffalo.
QB Ryan Tannehill has scored 3 TDs and given up 2 INTs. He’s been sacked five times and has a QB rating of 76.1, which is fairly low. His primary receiver is Mike Wallace who has caught two of his three TD passes. RB Knowshon Moreno, who is the only running back to cross the goal line for Miami, is averaging a healthy 5.5 YPC.
Although the Dolphins secondary is weak, they do possess some solid pass rushers and tacklers. The team has 4 sacks, 4 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles recovered, and one blocked kick. Still, the Miami secondary has a tough time defending against the pass. The Fins have no interceptions.
The Dolphins are lacking some essential personnel, but, yet, they do have potential to win due to the fact that they can stop some teams, and their offense can make some play. Placekicker Caleb Sturgis could be a difference-maker in a close game. Thus far he’s five of five for field goals.
The Dolphins are 3.5 favorites, but that seems low when you consider how poorly the Chiefs have performed this season and how well Miami did against New England when they played them in the home opener. This looks like a win for the Fins.