Dolphins in LA, prediction thread

[fyo]

Lots of uncertainty about this game. The Rams are giving Goff his first start, the Dolphins will be without Branden Albert and probably Jelani Jenkins, as well. He was playing hurt against the Chargers and will need to sit if he's going to be near 100% anytime soon.

The offensive line is making me nervous. Last game, there were a couple times where I thought "they're gonna get Tannehill killed back there". Seriously, how many times can that guys head bounce off the turf before he suffers a concussion? In case anyone is interested (and the intent is not to start a huge discussion in the prediction thread), the Dolphins are ranked 31st in PFF's Pass Block Efficiency (for the season), allowed more QB hits than any other team last week, and 72 of the 106 rushing yards against the Chargers came after first contact. The thought of Urbik or Steen playing left guard a whole game makes me very nervous. Really hoping Tunsil doesn't slip in the shower...

On defense, if Jenkins can't go, that's a big minus, but hopefully Paysinger or Hewitt step up. Xavian Howard is almost certainly going to miss another game at corner, so McCain will be the slot corner again. He's been abused quite a bit all season and is really a position that needs to be looked at in the off season.

Jason Jones and Mario Williams also missed Wednesday's practice.

I have seen the Rams exactly zero times this year. Might be the only team I've yet to catch, so I'll have to rely on numbers to get a sense of them. Their offensive line certainly doesn't seem to be good and they don't have an explosive back that can generate yards after contact. Hopefully, Goff doesn't ignite things...

MIA: 20
LA: 17

That's more offensive production from the Rams than they've had in their 3 games (10, 10, and 9 points), but a wounded Dolphins D and no tape on Goff...

[Baba Booey]

Rumor is Tunsil might stay at LG and they might move James to LT.

Want to keep your best interior blockers in to block the Rams best d-line players at DT.  Not sure if that is wise but we will see

[Sunstroke]

Lots of uncertainty about this game. The Rams are giving Goff his first start, the Dolphins will be without Branden Albert and probably Jelani Jenkins, as well. He was playing hurt against the Chargers and will need to sit if he's going to be near 100% anytime soon.

The offensive line is making me nervous. Last game, there were a couple times where I thought "they're gonna get Tannehill killed back there". Seriously, how many times can that guys head bounce off the turf before he suffers a concussion? In case anyone is interested (and the intent is not to start a huge discussion in the prediction thread), the Dolphins are ranked 31st in PFF's Pass Block Efficiency (for the season), allowed more QB hits than any other team last week, and 72 of the 106 rushing yards against the Chargers came after first contact. The thought of Urbik or Steen playing left guard a whole game makes me very nervous. Really hoping Tunsil doesn't slip in the shower...

On defense, if Jenkins can't go, that's a big minus, but hopefully Paysinger or Hewitt step up. Xavian Howard is almost certainly going to miss another game at corner, so McCain will be the slot corner again. He's been abused quite a bit all season and is really a position that needs to be looked at in the off season.

Jason Jones and Mario Williams also missed Wednesday's practice.

I have seen the Rams exactly zero times this year. Might be the only team I've yet to catch, so I'll have to rely on numbers to get a sense of them. Their offensive line certainly doesn't seem to be good and they don't have an explosive back that can generate yards after contact. Hopefully, Goff doesn't ignite things...

MIA: 20
LA: 17

That's more offensive production from the Rams than they've had in their 3 games (10, 10, and 9 points), but a wounded Dolphins D and no tape on Goff...

A couple of thoughts...

* Miami has plenty of tape on Goff...they went to Blockbuster and rented three of the "Ernest Goes to _____" movies.
* Bet the under...I repeat, bet the under.

Final score:  Dolphins 16, Rams 9

[Phishfan]

Rumor is Tunsil might stay at LG and they might move James to LT.

Want to keep your best interior blockers in to block the Rams best d-line players at DT.  Not sure if that is wise but we will see

I don't think that is happening, unless Gase is trying to play a mind game. Omar says flat out that Tunsil is playing tackle moving forward and Gase has quotes in the article.

[Tenshot13]

17-3 MIA

[masterfins]

Miami  23

LA  12

[Baba Booey]

I don't think that is happening, unless Gase is trying to play a mind game. Omar says flat out that Tunsil is playing tackle moving forward and Gase has quotes in the article.

Pouncey most likely out this week too, same hip issue. Back-up C and LG vs this Rams DT and d-line....thats a bad combo.

[CF DolFan]

Unfortunately I have a feeling we struggle this week. I wouldn't bet on the Dolphins but I predict a 16-12 Dolphins victory.

[Dave Gray]

I am starting to get a bad feeling about this, considering our linemen are hurt.  That's where this all hinges.

[Tenshot13]

I read on Bleacher Report that Albert and Pouncy have graded out pretty horribly on PFF, and that Steen is ranked right below Pouncy.

[fyo]

I thought Pouncey graded out great and Albert not too bad... Certainty last week, Pouncey was rated the top center.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article114862608.html

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-mia-sd-grades/

[Dolfanalyst]

I am starting to get a bad feeling about this, considering our linemen are hurt.  That's where this all hinges.

And you may be right, but at some point, if the Dolphins are going to be a consistently good team, they're going to have to overcome having success "hinge" on any one part of the team.

Certainly you can't say the full extent of Ryan Tannehill's performance last week "hinged" on the offensive line.  The offensive line wasn't entirely responsible for a QB rating over 130 and a YPA of 10.  Likewise, the offensive line wasn't responsible for the game DeVante Parker had.

So, whatever it was that Ryan Tannehill and DeVante Parker drew upon within themselves to achieve that degree of success is going to have to be drawn upon again, for example, to overcome this adversity.  Other players will have to do the same, as well.

That's what good teams do.

IMHO we have to get away from this thinking that one player's ability to achieve success is so entirely dependent on some other part of the team, as though he's some hapless victim or beneficiary of what's going on around him.

These players are going to have to find something within themselves to overcome whatever it is that's going on around them, that may to some degree undermine their own play.

Certainly if we view Ryan Tannehill for example as having his game this week, or his season, or his entire career possibly, as hinging on the ability of his offensive line, we're implicitly stating that Ryan Tannehill is a far worse QB than one who can overcome that sort of adversity, and I doubt that's the kind of QB anybody wants for the Dolphins.

[fyo]

Doesn't look good with the injuries. Last update before game time reveals all has Branden Albert out and Mike Pouncey plus Jelani Jenkins as doubtful. Considering Jenkins has a broken hand and hasn't been able to do much on his injured knee, I don't think we'll see him. Pouncey isn't happening, at least if Jason La Canfora is to be believed. Odds are good that he'll be back next week, though, while Albert could easily miss that one as well.

Expected starting offensive line: Tunsil - Urbik - Steen - Bushrod - James.

On the zebra front, instead of the leagues most flag-happy crew, the Dolphins - Rams contest will be adjudicated by Gene Steratore, whose crew has thrown third-fewest flags this season.

Odd record watch, courtesy of the SunSentinel, if the Dolphins don't turn the ball over against the Rams, the team will eclipse a team record that has stood for 45 years: 1 turnover in a 5-game span.

[Dolfanalyst]

The hope here today is that Jared Goff, either on his own accord or by being forced by the Dolphins, throws enough interceptions to help the Dolphins continue the kind of turnover margin they've enjoyed over the last four weeks.

And of course that's distinctly possible, given that he's a rookie QB playing in his first game.

If the Rams were playing with a seasoned QB, I'd be visiting an online betting site and betting on them.