Dolphins passing game vs. Buccaneers pass defense
Even with the bigger arm of Chad Henne at the controls, the Dolphins have slipped to 29{+t}{+h} in the league in passing. Henne has been sacked nine times the past three weeks and was hit hard several times at New England. The Bucs sacked Aaron Rodgers six times in last week's 38-28 win over Green Bay but DE Stylez G. White (18 pressures) is doubtful with a shoulder problem. Bucs corner Aqib Talib (hamstring/probable) was limited in practice this week, but can the Dolphins' middling wide receiver corps get separation?
Edge: Buccaneers
Buccaneers running game vs. Dolphins run defense
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, former Auburn teammate of Ronnie Brown, is averaging 4.0 yards per carry after coming back from his second major knee surgery. The Dolphins should have nose tackle
Jason Ferguson back in the lineup after he sat out the
Patriots game with an injury to his left elbow area. Channing Crowder, who missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, should be back as well for the league's fifth-ranked run defense.
Edge: Dolphins
Buccaneers passing game vs. Dolphins pass defense
After being riddled by a succession of Pro Bowl quarterbacks, the Dolphins get a chance to capitalize against rookie Josh Freeman, the 17{+t}{+h} overall pick in April. Freeman, however, is mobile and threw three touchdown passes against the Packers to become the second-youngest quarterback to win his starting debut since 1970. TE
Kellen Winslow, the ex-UM star, is another tough matchup for a secondary ranked 28{+t}{+h} against the pass. Pressuring Freeman is a must.
Edge: Buccaneers
Dolphins special teams vs. Buccaneers special teams
Core special teamer Erik Walden (hamstring) is doubtful. He wouldn't be easy to replace against a Rich Bisaccia-coached group that is regularly ranked among the
NFL's best. Tampa's Clifton Smith (knee/probable) is No. 3 in kickoff returns this year, while Dolphins Ted Ginn Jr. is first. Bucs are first in kickoff returns and kickoff coverage. Dolphins are 20{+t}{+h} covering punts, 14{+t}{+h} against kickoffs.
Edge: Buccaneers
Intangibles
Rookie coach Raheem Morris is coming off his first career victory after opening with seven straight losses. The Bucs were featured this week (over five pages) in Sports Illustrated for their brash rebuilding project. None of that matters against a Dolphins team coming off a disappointing division loss at New England and facing a quick turnaround to Thursday night's trip to Carolina. Dolphins are 2-2 at home, but the losses were to high-flying Indianapolis and New Orleans.
Edge: Dolphins
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Buccaneers 10.