Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins will look to build on last week's 17-10 win over Washington when they take on in-state rival Jacksonville on Sunday. The Jaguars, who lost to Carolina Week 1, are looking to avoid getting off to an 0-2 start for the fourth year in a row.
Here are three keys to the game for both the Dolphins and Jaguars.
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1. Feed Lamar Miller the ball
It was business as usual for Miller in Week 1 as he touched the ball just 14 times, yet he gained 75 yards from scrimmage. Miller was right on his average of 13 carries per game from a year ago, but that narrative has to change in Week 2. Miller has proven that he can handle a bigger workload and still sustain a high yards-per-carry average, the Dolphins just need to make it happen.
2. Cornerbacks must step up
The Dolphins are expected to be without starting safety Reshad Jones due to a hamstring injury, leaving them with two backups as the starters. Brent Grimes and Brice McCain will need to play well for the second straight week in order to mask the holes at safety. Jamar Taylor will also see plenty of time at cornerback, which gives Miami three solid starters.
3. Stop the run
As good as Miami's defensive line is on paper, it didn't show up in Week 1 against the Redskins. Alfred Morris gashed Miami's defense for 121 yards on the ground, leading Ndamukong Suh to call the team's performance "poor." The Dolphins' defense must improve against the weak Jacksonville offense.
JAGUARS:
1. Give Blake Bortles the protection he needs
Bortles was sacked five times in the opener. More troubling for the Jaguars is the fact left tackle Luke Joeckel is questionable with an ankle injury. The Dolphins present an imposing defensive line, led by Suh. It will be up to the Jacksonville offensive line to keep Bortles upright throughout the game.
2. Get the tight ends involved
The Jaguars will be without Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas again this week and for the foreseeable, but his replacements, Marcedes Lewis and Clay Harbor need to be more of a factor. Last week, Lewis and Harbor were targeted once combined. Miami's linebackers are a weak link on the defense. Attacking them over the middle with the tight ends would be a wise choice.
3. Give the ball to T.J. Yeldon
Yeldon, Jacksonville's second-round pick this year, carried the ball 12 times for 51 yards last week. In last year's meeting between the teams, Miami gave up 176 yards on the ground. Granted, that was pre-Suh, but it's still something for the Jaguars to build on. Yeldon deserves more touches this week.
