Dolphins High Octane Offense vs Eagles Depleted Deffense

 The Eagles this Sunday's game against the Dolphins is a game plenty of people are going to be watching. Not only because it's a Sunday Night Football game, but to see how the Eagles comeback from a Jets loss last week. Since around week 3 most power rankings had this same Dolphins team above the Eagles. Even when the Eagles were still undefeated, and the Dolphins weren't. Upsetting to have a team undefeated under a team with a loss was frustrating to see personally. But I could understand the reasons why. Now the true test is coming. All while the Eagles rock their throwback Kelly Green jersey's which all Eagles fans were wanting to see for years now. But how is this game going to turnout? And what are truly the keys to victory here? 

Offense is going to have to step up:

Yes, our offense has played well and have been a top offense in the league this year. But we have been very turnover prone as well. This offense will have to step up big time. The Eagles will have to score on almost every offensive drive to keep pace with the Dolphins offense. Not only that though, but the Eagles offense is also going to have to play turnover free football. Which hasn't happened for quite some time now it seems. Turning over the football in a game of this magnitude and as early as this week, week 7 sounds almost ridiculous. But this is a team that by the looks of it can make a deep run in the playoffs and possibly get to the Super Bowl. Beating these Dolphins would help cast out additional doubts against the Eagles. 

A key to winning though is very straight forward, RUN THE BALL! I think most of us Eagles fan have seen a lack of running the past two weeks. With last week being the complete worse. Having a talent like D'Andre Swift and not using him is ridiculous. I do understand the O-Line is without Lane Johnson at this moment of typing as well as Cam Jurgens. But the reality is that the running game can help the passing game immensely. I'm not saying it won't be tough, but what I'm saying is keeping the running game going and throwing play action passes will help the offense keep the defense on their toes. As well as give Jalen Hurts some additional time to throw the ball by rolling out of the pocket with some missing pieces at the line. 

The addition of Julio Jones is welcomed, but how much would he be able to help us really? Jalen Hurts has had issues spreading the ball this year at least from what I've seen. As well as the unbalanced numbers of receiving yards and receptions by other players show. Having another weapon means nothing if the gameplan isn't to spread the ball or Hurts can't look outside of AJ Brown. I get it, AJ Brown is a beast, but Hurts still has to do a better job of passing the ball around. Because Miami definitely will be doing such against us. Dumping it to Swift isn't bad, but when you have the likes of Devonta Smith, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dallas Goedert, and now Julio Jones. You have to scan the field and trust your receivers to make a play. 

Defense and the key to slowing down the Dolphins Offense

The honest truth here is that the Dolphins offense has a lot of fire power. They are fast in almost every key position. All their wide receivers and running backs are some of the fastest in the NFL. And the truth is you can only really slow them down not completely shut them down. I think playing zone will be key to slowing them down and not allowing any big plays. Our cornerbacks aren't the fastest and hoping to have help would just hurt us more. Since they are loaded with speed in every position. Keeping the plays in front and not behind is the main thing. I personally believe the defensive line is going to pressure Tua to the max to help the back end as much as they can. But we will have to rely heavily on our cornerbacks and safeties to stop the play immediately after a catch is made. 

Closing gaps is going to be key as well making sure their running backs can't find a hole, with linebackers closing out the outside. If this doesn't happen it's going to be a long game and possibly a bad game. I don't expect them to stop the Dolphins completely. But slowing them down I can see happen. The play calling has to be on point in this game. One mistake can honestly change the complete outcome of the game. We can't really afford to be blitzing while they have all that speed. On top of that Tua has been really good against the blitz. So, blitzing could be very costly in this game. 

The defense needs to just sit back and keep every catch in front of them and stopping them immediately. All while stopping the run. The Eagle's run defense is top tier but knowing how the Dolphins play. They will not stop trying to run. They live off of the run and play action. This is why playing zone and filling in every possible gap will be important. I will also say that a turnover would be lovely. Having some sort of turnover and getting possession of the ball an additional time would work wonders for this game. Killing the clock with more TOP and an opportunity to score again will be a welcomed gift for the offense. Whether or not they score, that TOP may help out in the long run for the Eagles. 

Conclusion:

The Eagles are coming into a game with a basically certified playoff team. A team that's fast and knows how to spread the ball offensively. As well a defense that has been playing really well alongside their offense. This Eagles team is coming off of a loss to the New York Jets and looking to get back to into the winning column. For that to happen the Eagles are going to have to play to their full potential, with some key injuries in place. Can the Eagles do it? I believe they can. But will they is another question. 

LET'S GO BIRDS! E-A-G-L-E-S! EAGLES!