Dolphins vs. Cowboys: Who has the edge?
Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (10-4) and Dallas Cowboys (10-4) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 16 game at Hard Rock Stadium (4;25 p.m., Fox):
When the Dolphins run: The Miami run game is down to No. 4 in the NFL, from 2, after collecting just 77 rushing yards in last Sunday’s 30-0 win over the New York Jets, but the Dolphins did something more valuable than any yardage total. They punched it in on the ground when down near the goal line. On Raheem Mostert’s first score, it was his third consecutive try from either the 1- or 2-yard line. He got in again later for his 20th touchdown on the season, a franchise record.
Mostert and rookie De’Von Achane are together again as the speedy 1-2 punch. The offensive line in front of them is hampered by injury, though. Right tackle Austin Jackson exited the Jets game with his pestering oblique injury. Center Liam Eichenberg, the backup for Connor Williams, who was lost for the season, played through a calf ailment. Left tackle Terron Armstead is battling ankle and knee injuries. Right guard Robert Hunt has missed five of his past six starts with an ailing hamstring.
That banged-up offensive line will face a talented Cowboys defensive front, but one that is vulnerable on the ground, 19th in the league in run defense. Big nose tackle Johnathan Hankins was also missing practice early in the week. Young middle linebacker Damone Clark leads the team with 94 tackles, and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is on injured reserve. Edge: Dolphins
When the Cowboys run: As Tony Pollard has taken over the Dallas backfield from longtime running back Ezekiel Elliott, he has been decent but nothing very special. Pollard is averaging 4.1 yards per carry, 848 yards on 207 attempts, for five touchdowns. The Cowboys run game, overall, is ranked 12th in the league.
The Dolphins have the No. 4 rushing defense in the NFL, anchored by defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler up front. And since Week 5, Miami’s run defense is second in the league. Dallas’ elite six-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin is also dealing with a thigh injury. While the Dolphins are without Jerome Baker, fellow linebacker David Long Jr. has been elite against the run and Duke Riley has come in to make the calls on the defense that Baker used to communicate to the unit. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa operated the offense well against the Jets while star wide receiver Tyreek Hill sat with his bad ankle, quieting some of the skeptics that attribute his success to Hill’s presence. He hit the deep touchdown to fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle, who stepped up for his best game of the season with eight receptions for 142 yards. Tagovailoa was 21 of 24 without turning the ball over.
If Hill can return to the lineup Sunday, he and Waddle will face a Cowboys secondary that lost ballhawking cornerback Trevon Diggs two weeks into the season, but in his place, Dallas has DaRon Bland with eight interceptions, five of them returned for touchdown. Former All-Pro Stephon Gilmore is opposite him for the league’s No. 4 pass defense.
The Cowboys pass rush is fierce, with Micah Parsons and his 12 1/2 sacks on one side and DeMarcus Lawrence on the other side. Parsons, in particular, will test either Jackson at right tackle, Armstead at left or any of the Dolphins’ backup interior linemen coming up the middle on stunts as he is known to move around in the Dallas defensive front. An injury-riddled offensive line is not what you want against him. Edge: Even
When the Cowboys pass: Quarterback Dak Prescott has become an MVP candidate with 28 touchdowns to seven interceptions, although he had a rough go at it in last Sunday’s 31-10 loss at Buffalo. He leads the No. 6 passing offense and league’s second-best scoring offense, behind the Dolphins.
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is having an exceptional season, with 1,306 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup will be accounted for in a Miami secondary that has cornerback Jalen Ramsey playing at an elite level. And defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, last week, showed a willingness to allow him to shadow an opposing receiver, like he did in shutting down the Jets’ Garrett Wilson. He may do that with Lamb, especially if Xavien Howard has to miss another game with his hip injury or is hampered by it. The Dolphins also hope to get their starting safeties, Jevon Holland and DeShon Elliott, back against a Dallas offense that has had tight end Jake Ferguson emerge as its second-leading pass-catcher behind Lamb.
Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith is one of the better players at his position, but he’s also dealing with a bad back as Miami edge rusher Bradley Chubb comes in on fire off his AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor earned for his performance against New York with three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The Dallas offensive line against Miami pass rush, which is second in the league with 48 sacks, will be a great matchup. Edge: Even
Special teams: Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is 31 of 31 on field goals this season, including a remarkable 8 for 8 from beyond 50 yards, although he has missed three extra points. Bryan Anger has been a good punter for them, too.
Braxton Berrios continues to be strong in the return game, and outside of a recent blocked field goal, the Dolphins have been relatively solid on special teams, although the need for key special teamers to contribute on the starting defense of late has shifted some of the personnel. Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles: Both teams enter with the narrative that they beat up on bad teams and don’t fare well against contenders. The Cowboys have one such win this season, against their division rival Eagles. The Dolphins don’t have one yet. They will be eager to quiet the naysayers and earn that win in this one, after previously losing to the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs. Miami also bounced back from its Dec. 11 loss to the Titans with a strong performance against the Jets, proving one loss won’t send them in a downward spiral. Dallas will be eager to rebound from its bad loss in Buffalo, but that result is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 27, Cowboys 24
