Miami Dolphins running game vs. Jacksonville Jaguars run defense
Center Jake Grove (high ankle sprain) is listed as doubtful, and backup Joe Berger is wearing a
leg brace, according to offensive coordinator Dan Henning. The Dolphins continue to rotate three players at guard. Their average per rush has dropped three straight weeks since Ronnie Brown's season-ending foot injury, and their 88-yard rushing output last time out against the
Patriots was their second-worst of the season. The Jaguars rank 11th in the league against the run, four spots higher than the Patriots.
Edge: Jaguars
Dolphins passing game vs. Jaguars pass defense
QB Chad Henne is coming off a 335-yard explosion (on 52 attempts) against the Patriots. It was the first 300-yard passing game for Henne since he riddled Florida for 373 yards in his college finale at Michigan. His previous pro best had been 241 yards in the first meeting with the
Jets. Davone Bess took a big step forward as well with career-bests of 10 receptions and 117 yards. Rookie
Brian Hartline has a touchdown catch in each of the past two games. Rashean Morris, the Jaguars' top cornerback, is doubtful with a groin injury.
Edge: Dolphins
Jaguars running game vs. Dolphins run defense
Little
Maurice Jones-Drew has averaged just 72 yards the past three weeks. He is probable with a knee injury but is still fourth in the
NFL with 1,077 rushing yards. A quarter of his career rushes have resulted in first downs, fourth-best since he entered the league in 2006. Since losing NT
Jason Ferguson to a season-ending quad injury at Carolina, the Dolphins have dropped to 14th in the league against the run. They have allowed four rushing touchdowns the past two weeks after allowing three the previous four weeks combined.
Edge: Jaguars
Jaguars passing game vs. Dolphins pass defense
David Garrard is a two-way threat, leading all NFL quarterbacks with 748 rushing yards the past three seasons. Leading receiver Mike Sims-Walker is doubtful with a calf injury, which could shift the focus to veteran
Torry Holt. OLB
Joey Porter is probable with a knee injury that kept him from practicing Wednesday or Thursday. The Dolphins held
Randy Moss without a catch in the final 50:35 last week, but they also gave up three of their six longest plays (all through the air) this season.
Edge: Dolphins
Dolphins special teams vs. Jaguars special teams
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said during the week his punt return unit must improve; it has dropped to 20th in the league rankings. The Jaguars are No. 1 in the NFL in punt coverage. Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter, coming off a three field-goal game against New England – including the game-winner from 41 yards – was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Carpenter has missed just once in 20 attempts this season and is perfect for his two-year career from 40 yards and in. His counterpart, Josh Scobee, has missed seven of 12 tries from 40 yards and longer.
Edge: Dolphins
Intangibles
The Jaguars have won four of their past five to climb into possession of the final AFC playoff spot with four games to go. However, they haven't exactly lit up the home market, failing to hit 50,000 in attendance in any of their first six home games. The Dolphins have struggled away from home, going 2-4, with one of the wins heavily Ginn-aided (Nov. 1 at Jets). A Dolphins win would make a wild-card berth seem nearly as possible as stealing the AFC East from the crumbling Patriots.
Edge: Dolphins
