AFC Game Of The Week
Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs
Dolphins: After losing in South Philly to the Eagles in week seven, they were able to bounce back nicely against the New England Patriots. So, I’m going to have to be that guy here and this is just me being honest. Let’s look at their six wins. The Chargers, Patriots (twice), Broncos and Giants. All those teams I’ve mentioned each have losing records. In fact, they all have a combined record of 10-21. Now, let’s look at the two losses. The first one came against a Buffalo Bills team who was playing at the top of the world during that time and they bought the hammer against them. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, they were dominated in the trenches. Do you all get the point I’m trying to get across? The Miami Dolphins are a finesse football team and when you throw physicality at them, they were fold at that first hit. The other day when I was talking to Cole Johnson, I brought up two teams from the past that this Miami group reminds me off. The first team I mentioned is those Colts teams during the Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Tony Dungy days. If you remember those groups, they had highly octane offenses that could score at any minute on the field and anywhere on the field. When you bought that hammer that I just mentioned, they weren’t prepared for it. The other is the 2022 New York Giants and I say that because the Giants last season were able to beat up on the bad teams, but didn’t show up for the good teams and that’s exactly what I see with the Dolphins. I want to talk about Tyreek Hill. He has made it look so effortless this year with his play and he’s continuing to look like the favorite for Offensive Player of the Year as he just eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving. I wouldn’t be shocked if he does reach that 2,000 yard mark. On Sunday, they will be playing internationally in Germany.
Chiefs: What’s the saying I always find myself repeating either on here or on the radio? There is no such thing as an easy game in our league, plain and simple. This is the worst I’ve seen them look since their 2021 game in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans when they were held to a Field Goal. I’ll even go as far as saying this performance was just as bad as how they looked in the Super Bowl that they lost to the Buccaneers a few years back. Also remember, the Denver Broncos saw them a few weeks ago on a Thursday night and even then, they held the Chiefs under 20 points. Their game plan was simple. As a defense, keep those two Safeties playing deep, man coverage with the Cornerbacks across the board and keep their playmakers underneath. Travis Kelce didn’t get into a rhythm at all and he was held under 100 yards receiving. I also loved how they played Patrick Mahomes and they made him work. He was hit constantly and sacked three times. I echo everyone’s sentiments when I say this. The Chiefs need another consistent pass catcher after 87 and how many times have I said this? Outside of Travis, who else scares you or puts fear into your secondary? I’m talking about the one receiver that you know you have to zoom in on and you pick and choose who you want to double team? Either that one receiver or Travis? They don’t have that. While the offense has been slowly but surely coming along, their defense has impressed me and you see the impact Chris Jones has had on this unit. I still have the utmost confidence that they will still be there and ready when it matters most which is the stretch run of the season and the playoffs which is what they are really waiting for. They will be playing football in Germany on Sunday morning.
Dolphins X-Factor: Jaylen Waddle– He’s so dangerous when he’s consistently getting the football. Along with Cheetah, they’ve become one of the best Wide Receiver tandems in the league and I wouldn’t disagree if you called them the best. I followed Jaylen closely during his days with the Alabama Crimson Tide and he’s made a nice transition over to the NFL. He has the burst to catch the ball on a short pass, then he’s up the field and in the end zone for six. I always say this. You focus so much on taking away Cheetah than Jaylen can also beat you as well.
Chiefs X-Factor: L’Jarius Sneed– He’s truly developed into a key piece for this Kansas City defense. This man has become elite when it comes to forcing fumbles and laying a hit on a receiver, then the ball comes out. Many have considered L’Jarius to be amongst the best tackling Cornerbacks in the league today. I love how the Chiefs defense uses him. They will send him on Corner blitzes frequently, L’Jarius just finds ways to get to the football and he’s become their best player in the secondary. He will have his hands full on Sunday against his former teammate.
Final Thoughts: I really wish this had been the opening Thursday night kickoff to open the season. Just think of all the storylines to enter that game. But now, here we are and this will be the first time Tyreek Hill has faced the Kansas City Chiefs since being traded last season. Can someone else not wearing the number 87 step up for this Chiefs offense? I remember saying Mecole Hardman becomes the number one receiver by default because of the comfortability level of playing with Mahomes. Jalen Ramsey electrified this Miami defense last weekend in the win over the Patriots. The key for Miami will be to hit Mahomes behind the line of scrimmage. Don’t allow him time to buy time because he will make you pay for it. The Chiefs turned the ball over a total of five times in Denver. That won’t win you any football games at all and this can be an opportunistic defense when it presents itself. I want to see how the Dolphins also neutralize Chris Jones from this game because they can’t allow him to create havoc up front. I’m expecting a shootout here in Germany on Sunday morning. Until the Dolphins can show they can beat upper echelon competition, I’ll still question them and I’m taking the Chiefs to win this game and bounce back.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Dolphins 24
