breckenridge55
K-STATE PHIN
First off, I am going to make this article as if Favre will be playing on Monday Night. These could change if Favre does not play.
Quarterbacks
Advantage: Green Bay
Even with Favre hurt, he can still throw since it was his knee that is bothering him. He may not be very mobile, and the Dolphins will put lots of pressure on him, but I think he will be ok. Until Lucas proves that he can throw a football since 1999, I have no faith in him. His receivers are good, but they can’t do anything if the ball isn’t close to them.
Running Backs
Advantage: Tie
Ahman Green is a great back, so is Ricky Williams. They are both banged up somewhat and won’t be 100%. I don’t know much about Ahman Green, other than that he is great, but Ricky Williams can do it all. He can catch out of the backfield, pound up the middle, or take a toss to the outside, all very well.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Advantage: Miami
Although Donald Driver and Bubba Franks have great numbers, I don’t think they are as good skill wise as Chambers or McMichael. I think that Favre has a lot to do with their great numbers. I’m not sure if Cris Carter will contribute at all on Monday Night, but, James McKnight and Dedric Ward are solid backups and the Dolphins have a lot of depth at WR. Javon Walker has great potential, but hasn’t reached it yet. Terry Glenn used to be great but doesn’t seem like he is back into his old Patriots form.
Offensive Line
Advantage: Green Bay
The Miami o-line is the worse part of the team. Ricky Williams has earned every yard he has gained this year. It may be improved over last year, but it is still one of the worse 5 or 10 units in the league. The Dolphins o-line needs a stud who can anchor it, and Mark Dixon still is not healthy. Green Bay’s offensive line, although not great, gets the job done.
Defensive Line
Advantage: Miami (barely)
Both teams have a fantastic speed rusher (in Jason Taylor and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila). Vonnie Holiday is back for Green Bay, and can make some plays. Tim Bowens is a great run stopper in the middle for the Dolphins. Both of these units are among the best in the NFL. The only thing that the Packers are missing is some stud defensive tackles. Gilbert Brown and Cletidus Hunt don’t cut it.
Linebackers
Advantage: Miami
Although the Dolphins don’t have much other than Zach Thomas at linebacker, Zach is still far better than anyone that the Packers have. Morlon Greenwood and Derrick Rodgers don’t make huge plays for the Phins, but don’t make big mistakes either, both are very consistent. Hardy Nickerson is a decent linebacker for Green Bay, as is Nate Wayne and Na’il Diggs. But none of the three are great, they are all just average.
Defensive Backs
Advantage: Miami
Green Bay has suffered some heavy injuries at the defensive backs positions. Darren Sharper and Mike McKenzie come back from injury for Green Bay this week. Sharper is among the best at his position in the NFL, almost a certain pro-bowler. But Miami’s corners are much better than Green Bay’s. Pat Surtain and Sam Madison are play well above the level of play that Mike McKenzie and Tyrone Williams do. Brock Marion is also a great safety for the Phins, but, their worse player on defense is Arturo Freeman, the strong safety.
Special Teams
Advantage: Green Bay
Mare and Longwell are both superb kickers. But I think Longwell gets the edge just because he is used to kicking in the weather that Mare will face in Green Bay. Neither team has great returners or great coverage teams. Both teams also have average punters.
Coaching
Advantage: Tie
Dave Wannstedt and Mike Sherman are both great coaches, and I am sure that both took this bye week and used it to the best of their abilities. Norv Turner is one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL right now, but Mike Sherman will make sure that his Packers are ready to play on Monday Night, with or without Brett Favre.
The homefield advantage for the Packers will be a huge help in their attempt to win. The weather will also be a huge help for Green Bay as the forecast calls for a high of 38 degrees, and a low of 24 with no chance of rain/snow. All of these little things will help Green Bay a lot, and if Favre can play, I believe will lead them to victory. It should be another close, hard fought battle, like the Miami-Denver game three weeks ago. In the end, whoever is prepared better will come out on top. It should come down to whoever turns the ball over less, and gets better field position, just like almost every other NFL game.
Prediction:
Miami 24
Green Bay 26
Quarterbacks
Advantage: Green Bay
Even with Favre hurt, he can still throw since it was his knee that is bothering him. He may not be very mobile, and the Dolphins will put lots of pressure on him, but I think he will be ok. Until Lucas proves that he can throw a football since 1999, I have no faith in him. His receivers are good, but they can’t do anything if the ball isn’t close to them.
Running Backs
Advantage: Tie
Ahman Green is a great back, so is Ricky Williams. They are both banged up somewhat and won’t be 100%. I don’t know much about Ahman Green, other than that he is great, but Ricky Williams can do it all. He can catch out of the backfield, pound up the middle, or take a toss to the outside, all very well.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Advantage: Miami
Although Donald Driver and Bubba Franks have great numbers, I don’t think they are as good skill wise as Chambers or McMichael. I think that Favre has a lot to do with their great numbers. I’m not sure if Cris Carter will contribute at all on Monday Night, but, James McKnight and Dedric Ward are solid backups and the Dolphins have a lot of depth at WR. Javon Walker has great potential, but hasn’t reached it yet. Terry Glenn used to be great but doesn’t seem like he is back into his old Patriots form.
Offensive Line
Advantage: Green Bay
The Miami o-line is the worse part of the team. Ricky Williams has earned every yard he has gained this year. It may be improved over last year, but it is still one of the worse 5 or 10 units in the league. The Dolphins o-line needs a stud who can anchor it, and Mark Dixon still is not healthy. Green Bay’s offensive line, although not great, gets the job done.
Defensive Line
Advantage: Miami (barely)
Both teams have a fantastic speed rusher (in Jason Taylor and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila). Vonnie Holiday is back for Green Bay, and can make some plays. Tim Bowens is a great run stopper in the middle for the Dolphins. Both of these units are among the best in the NFL. The only thing that the Packers are missing is some stud defensive tackles. Gilbert Brown and Cletidus Hunt don’t cut it.
Linebackers
Advantage: Miami
Although the Dolphins don’t have much other than Zach Thomas at linebacker, Zach is still far better than anyone that the Packers have. Morlon Greenwood and Derrick Rodgers don’t make huge plays for the Phins, but don’t make big mistakes either, both are very consistent. Hardy Nickerson is a decent linebacker for Green Bay, as is Nate Wayne and Na’il Diggs. But none of the three are great, they are all just average.
Defensive Backs
Advantage: Miami
Green Bay has suffered some heavy injuries at the defensive backs positions. Darren Sharper and Mike McKenzie come back from injury for Green Bay this week. Sharper is among the best at his position in the NFL, almost a certain pro-bowler. But Miami’s corners are much better than Green Bay’s. Pat Surtain and Sam Madison are play well above the level of play that Mike McKenzie and Tyrone Williams do. Brock Marion is also a great safety for the Phins, but, their worse player on defense is Arturo Freeman, the strong safety.
Special Teams
Advantage: Green Bay
Mare and Longwell are both superb kickers. But I think Longwell gets the edge just because he is used to kicking in the weather that Mare will face in Green Bay. Neither team has great returners or great coverage teams. Both teams also have average punters.
Coaching
Advantage: Tie
Dave Wannstedt and Mike Sherman are both great coaches, and I am sure that both took this bye week and used it to the best of their abilities. Norv Turner is one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL right now, but Mike Sherman will make sure that his Packers are ready to play on Monday Night, with or without Brett Favre.
The homefield advantage for the Packers will be a huge help in their attempt to win. The weather will also be a huge help for Green Bay as the forecast calls for a high of 38 degrees, and a low of 24 with no chance of rain/snow. All of these little things will help Green Bay a lot, and if Favre can play, I believe will lead them to victory. It should be another close, hard fought battle, like the Miami-Denver game three weeks ago. In the end, whoever is prepared better will come out on top. It should come down to whoever turns the ball over less, and gets better field position, just like almost every other NFL game.
Prediction:
Miami 24
Green Bay 26