NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Monday, December 14, 8:35 p.m. ET, ESPN
Stadium: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Line: NYG (-1)
The Miami Dolphins (5-7) play host to the New York Giants (5-7) in primetime on Monday Night Football in what should be a tight game between two middling teams. While both are in the playoff hunt, the circumstances are quite different. The Dolphins are coming off a tight win over the Baltimore Ravens while the Giants are just trying to stop the bleeding of a three-game losing streak.
The Dolphins basically need to win the remainder of their games and a lot of luck to grab a Wild Card spot. The tough AFC East seems to be locked up by the New England Patriots, and the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills are even ahead of them in line for a playoff berth. The Giants sit in a three-way tie atop the NFC East after giving away another last-minute lead to the Jets. Eli Manning and company are in control of their own destiny but have to finish strong, something they haven’t done all season.
The Dolphins got just eight first downs against the Ravens as Ryan Tannehill threw for 86 yards. But a pick-six from Derrick Shelby before halftime put enough points on the board to beat Baltimore. Lamar Miller was given the rock 20 times in an effort from new offensive coordinator Zac Taylor to create a more balanced offense. Rookie wide receiver DeVante Parker had an impressive TD catch, and along with Jarvis Landry, he will be a bigger part of the offense going forward.
A last-minute meltdown has become the norm for the Giants, and their inability to finish has put them in desperation mode. Odell Beckham Jr. is the star of the offense and continues to deliver every week. The Giants have become one-dimensional with the ball as their running game has been anemic all year long. Against the Dolphins’ front four, it may make sense for Ben McAdoo to abandon it altogether.
The patchwork offensive line for the G-Men will have their work cut out for them, particularly with Olivier Vernon. Vernon had 11 total pressures last week resulting in three sacks according to Pro Football Focus. He and Ndamukong Suh will be tough for Weston Richburg to control.
The Giants are allowing 4.0 yards per carry on the season, so expect a healthy dose of Miller on the ground. He is also a dangerous pass catcher out of the backfield, an area where the Giants linebackers have been exploited. OBJ will again be the focus for Eli and the Giants. The question will be which young superstar will have the greater impact.
If the Giants don’t show up to play this week, their season will be all but over. While the Dolphins don’t have an abundance of offensive playmakers, the Giants’ defense has failed to contain anyone this season. Expect a tight game, which is daunting for Giants fans. Tom Coughlin is likely coaching for his job and should cool down the hot seat for at least one more week.
Prediction: Giants 28, Dolphins 24
Christopher Schwarz is a New York Giants beat writer and NFL Coverage writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter.
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