Dolphins at Browns
THE STORY: While the Miami Dolphins have certainly opened the season against two of the AFC’s heavyweights, it also can’t hang its hat on being competitive in either game. Miami allowed New England’s Tom Brady to throw for over 500 yards against its porous secondary in the season opener and then watched Matt Schaub and the Texans control the clock with a more conservative game plan last week. Cleveland hopes its defense and power running attack can build on last week’s rare road win when they return to Browns Stadium to host the winless Dolphins.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Cleveland -1.5, O/U 41
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (1-1): Miami has already seemed to change plans in its backfield as rookie Daniel Thomas saw the bulk of the action in last week’s 23-13 loss to Houston. Thomas gained 107 yards in his debut and Reggie Bush was merely an afterthought for much of the game, finishing with 21 total yards. Chad Henne has thrown for 586 yards in two games but went just 12 for 30 last week and has just one reliable target in Brandon Marshall. Dan Carpenter also missed two field goals last week that could have changed the complexion of the game.
ABOUT THE BROWNS (1-1): Many Cleveland fans felt that bruising back Peyton Hillis wore down late last season and hoped his huge workload wouldn’t hinder his performance this season. Hillis failed to score in the Browns’ opening loss but cashed in twice last week to help put away the Colts at Indianapolis. Pat Shurmur also notched his first NFL coaching win as Cleveland posted a 27-19 victory against the Peyton Manning-less Colts. Shurmur, however, failed as a favorite in Week 1 when Cincinnati posted a 27-17 victory and can’t afford to lose these type of games at home if the Browns have any playoff aspirations.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Cleveland got a field goal from Phil Dawson as time expired to defeat Miami 13-10 last season.
2. Miami went 6-2 on the road last season. The Dolphins are 1-9 at home the past two seasons.
3. Cleveland hasn’t been over .500 through three games for the past nine seasons.