GAME TIME: 1:00 PM EST on Sunday, Oct 17th. The game will be
broadcast regionally on CBS TV, on DirecTV channel 704, on Sirius
radio channels 129 and 123 and on XM radio channel 105.
PLACE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.
WEATHER FORECAST: Mostly sunny, with a high around 59. Winds are
expected to be brisk, out of the north-northwest, with gusts up to 20
mph.
FIELD CONDITIONS: The surface at Lambeau is natural grass and is
heated to keep it from freezing, although that should not be an
issue. The weather looks decent, so the field should be in good
shape.
STANDINGS & STATS: The Dolphins are 2-2, alone in 3rd place in the AFC
East. The Packers are 3-2, in second place behind the Bears in the
NFC North.
Dolphins Pts/Game Rank Packers Pts/Game Rank
Scored 16.5 28 Scored 23.8 8
Allowed 23.0 24 Allowed 17.8 8
Dolphins Yds/Game Rank Packers Yds/Game Rank
Total Offense: 339 13 Total Defense: 317 13
Rushing: 107 16 vs Rush: 105 15
Passing: 232 12 vs Pass: 212 15
Packers Dolphins
Total Offense: 342 12 Total Defense: 299 7
Rushing: 107 15 vs Rush: 118 21
Passing: 235 10 vs Pass: 181 4
Sacks Made (Avg/G) Allowed (Avg/G)
Dolphins 9 2.2 9 2.2
Packers 21 4.2 9 1.8
Turnover differential:
Dolphins -3
Packers -2
Individual Skill Position Stats:
Dolphins
QB: QB Henne: 84-131-9640-5-4-86.2
Rush: RB Brown: 48-226-4.7-1
Rush: RB Williams: 43-176-4.1-0
Rec: WR Marshall: 27-240-12.6-1
Rec: WR Bess: 21-245-11.7-1
Rec: WR Hartline: 11-133-12.1-1
Packers
QB: QB Rodgers: 111-168-1233-9-6-90.7
Rush: RB Jackson: 55-252-4.6-1
Rush: RB Kuhn: 29-133-4.6-1
Rec: WR Driver: 25-276-11.0-3
Rec: TE Finley: 21-301-14.3-1
Rec: WR Jones: 15-177-11.8-1
Legend
QBs: completions-attempts-yards-touchdowns-ints-rating
RBs: rushes-yards-average-touchdowns
WRs: receptions-yards-average-touchdowns
HISTORY: The Dolphins hold a 9-3 advantage in the all-time series, but
Green Bay has won three of the last four matchups.
INJURIES:
DOLPHINS:
Questionable: DE Jared Odrick (ankle)
Probable: LB Channing Crowder (groin)
OT Jake Long (knee)
PACKERS:
Out: S Derrick Martin (knee)
LB Brandon Chillar (shoulder)
LB Nick Barnett (wrist)
TE Jermichael Finley(knee)
Doubtful: LB Clay Matthews (hamstring)
T Mark Tauscher (shoulder)
Questionable: DE Mike Neal (shoulder)
DE Ryan Pickett (ankle)
Probable: QB Aaron Rodgers (concussion)
CB Sam Shields (calf)
RB Quinn Johnson (glute)
OT Chad Clifton (knee)
S Nick Collins (knee)
DE Cullen Jenkins (hamstring)
TE Donald Lee (chest)
CB Charles Woodson (toe)
DOLPHINS' STARTERS:
Offense: Defense:
QB - 7 Chad Henne LE - 70 Kendall Langford
RB - 23 Ronnie Brown NT - 94 Randy Starks
FB - 36 Lousaka Polite RE - 98 Jared Odrick
WR - 19 Brandon Marshall SLB - 55 Koa Misi
WR - 82 Brian Hartline ILB - 52 Channing Crowder
TE - 80 Anthony Fasano ILB - 58 Karlos Dansby
LT - 77 Jake Long WLB - 91 Cameron Wake
LG - 68 Richie Incognito LCB - 21 Vontae Davis
C - 67 Joe Berger RCB - 32 Jason Allen
RG - 74 John Jerry SS - 37 Yeremiah Bell
RT - 72 Vernon Carey FS - 30 Chris Clemons
K - 5 Dan Carpenter P - 2 Brandon Fields
PR - 15 Davone Bess KR - 38 Patrick Cobbs
NOTES: Jared Odrick and John Jerry have returned to practice and
Jerry, at least, has not been limited. Odrick is listed as limited in
practice, so it remains to be seen if he will start. Channing Crowder
is listed as participating in full practices, but nobody - including
me - is willing to predict whether or not he will start. Also, Benny
Sapp missed practiced on Thursday, but the official injury report says
that it's not injury related.
PACKERS' STARTERS:
Offense: Defense:
QB - 12 Aaron Rodgers LDE - 79 Ryan Pickett
RB - 32 Brandon Jackson NT - 90 B.J. Raji
FB - 35 Korey Hall RDE - 77 Cullen Jenkins
WR - 80 Donald Driver OLB - 58 Frank Zombo
WR - 85 Greg Jennings ILB - 50 A.J. Hawk
TE - 86 Donald Lee ILB - 55 Desmond Bishop
LT - 76 Chad Clifton OLB - 59 Brad Jones
LG - 73 Daryn Colledge LCB - 21 Charles Woodson
C - 63 Scott Wells RCB - 38 Tramon Williams
RG - 71 Josh Sitton SS - 26 Charlie Peprah
RT - 75 Bryan Bulaga FS - 36 Nick Collins
K - 2 Mason Crosby P - 8 Tim Masthay
PR - 38 Tramon Williams KR - 87 Jordy Nelson
NOTES: The Packers have a lot of injured players this week. As of
Friday afternoon, it looks like Aaron Rodgers will start, but he still
has to pass the NFL's full neurological evaluation before he is
allowed to play. Starting TE Jermichael Finley and LBs Nick Barnett
and Brandon Chillar are out, while sack leader Clay Matthews is
doubtful.
KEY MATCHUPS:
- Dolphins vs Themselves: This will be the number one matchup
for every preview for the foreseeable future. Until the Dolphins stop
shooting themselves in the foot, they will not win a lot of games.
- Packers' LBs vs Ronnie and Ricky: Coach Sparano made the
point this week that when Miami runs the ball well, they win. With
the Packers' linebacking corps decimated with injuries, Ronnie and
Ricky could both have big days.
- Brandon Marshall vs Packers DBs: Will Marshall face double
coverage or Charles Woodson? Either way, Marshall needs to be
productive.
- Jason Allen vs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver: Allen has
been very inconsistent this season and the Packers like to throw the
ball. On the one hand, Allen leads the team with 2 interceptions. On
the other, he has made a number of serious mistakes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Chad Henne is under increasing scrutiny after his 3 picks
against the Patriots, but he may not have to throw as much this week.
And while Brandon Marshall is still the main weapon among the wide
receivers, Davone Bess is getting more recognition after each game.
On defense, the Dolphins may get Jared Odrick and Channing
Crowder back this week and if they do, that could boost the entire
defense. Cameron Wake continues to provide excellent pressure on
opposing passers, but Koa Misi has cooled off a little bit. And Jason
Allen is once again under fire for costly mistakes against both the
Jets and Packers.
QB Aaron Rodgers is marked as "probable" to start this week,
but he still has not officially passed the NFL's required neurological
exam for concussion victims. One of his favorite targets, TE
Jermichael Finley, is definitely out, however. Former Dolphins' TE
Donald Lee will probably start in his place. WRs Donald Driver and
Greg Jennings are both very talented, but there are rumors that
Jennings is having attitude problems.
The Packers' best pass rusher, OLB Clay Matthews, is doubtful
this week and two of their other starting linebackers are out, so
backup linebackers Frank Zombo, Desmond Bishop and Brad Jones will
have their work cut out for them. 2009 NFL defensive Player of the
Year Charles Woodson is one of their starting cornerbacks and it will
be interesting to see how the Packers use him.
On special teams, the Packers' Tramon Williams averages 11.6
ypc, which is well above the league's average.
MY ANALYSIS:
The Dolphins face the Packers this week in a game where the
Dolphins are in an ideal position to knock off a strong opponent in a
weakened state. The Packers are reeling after a tough overtime loss
to the Washington Redskins, in which Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers had a
concussion and a number of other Packers' starters sustained
significant injuries.
Add to this the fact that the Dolphins are coming off their
bye week and getting several of their own starters back into the
lineup and the Dolphins should have a significant advantage on
Sunday.
On offense, the Dolphins will take a step back to a more
conservative approach this week, based on their strength of running
the ball. Coach Sparano pointed out to the media that Miami wins more
games when they have success running the ball and there is no doubt
that Dan Henning would like to take advantage of Green Bay's depleted
linebacking corps by giving the ball to Ronnie and Ricky and having
them run over the Packers' defense.
So look for the Dolphins to work hard at establishing their
ground game and pass only when necessary or to take advantage of
play-action. The Packers' defense is not particularly strong against
the run and the Dolphins should be able to establish their ground game
and control the ball.
When the Packers have the ball, a lot will depend on whether
or not Aaron Rodgers can play. If Rodgers does play (as appears
likely), the Packers will be a passing team. However, without their
starting tight end, the Packers will not be able to attack the weakest
part of Miami's pass defense and Miami should be able to keep Rodgers
and the Packers' offense from moving the ball effectively.
Of course, a lot will depend on Miami's defense avoiding the
kinds of mistakes that have plagued them the last two games. They
can not afford to give up big plays against the Packers and force the
offense to play catch-up in this game. The Packers have a very
effective pass rush, even without Clay Matthews, and the Dolphins will
need to avoid big mistakes and turnovers to win this game.
So far this year, Miami has played well on the road and they
should be in good shape to take on the Packers on Sunday. If they can
establish their running game, do a good job covering the Packers'
receivers and avoid any big mistakes, they should beat the Packers on
Sunday.
PLACES TO WATCH:
To watch the game on TV, you may go to one of the sports bars listed on my "Places To Watch" web page.
To listen to the game live over the Internet, you must now pay
the NFL for the privelege. They are charging $9.99 (US) per month or
$39.99 for the season for something you used to get for free. If you want to sign up for that, go to the following link NFL Field Pass.
Also, here is a list of some websites that have live scores
and updates. Both the Official Website and NFL.com have almost live
applications that run in your browser and give you current stats and
play-by-play information.
Related Info: