Classmates meet again as Miami, Denver clash

Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colo.,
Saturday, Jan. 9

AT A GLANCE: The Dolphins, one of two teams to defeat the Broncos this season, travel to Denver to take on the defending champions. The Dolphins come off a 24-17 win over Buffalo, while Denver is fresh after a first-round bye.

In the first 15 years of their careers, Miami QB Dan Marino and Denver QB John Elway met on the field only once. Now, they are set for their second meeting in a month’s time.

Marino’s Dolphins visit Elway and the Broncos in a game that will decide which member of the renowned QB Class of ’83 will go to the AFC championship game and get another chance to make it to the Super Bowl.

The Dolphins upset the Broncos 31-21 in Week 15, thanks to four TD passes by Marino. In that game, Miami held Denver RB Terrell Davis to 29 rushing yards on 16 carries, by far his worst yardage total of the season. The Dolphins also picked off Elway twice.

But this Miami defense will be different from the one which frustrated the Broncos in that game. The Dolphin "D" has played much better at home than on the road this season, and on this trip it will be without two key players. DRE Jason Taylor suffered a broken clavicle in the final game of the regular season and will not see any playoff action. Last week, DLT Tim Bowens, Miami’s lone Pro Bowler, suffered a biceps injury that will knock him out for the rest of the postseason. In their place, Shane Burton and Barron Tanner move into the starting lineup.

WHEN THE DOLPHINS HAVE THE BALL:

Under Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphin game plan has been to run the ball first. Last week Miami was able to do that, as it tallied 117 rushing yards. Karim Abdul-Jabbar is the top rushing threat. He had 95 yards on 27 carries last week.

But in the earlier meeting vs. the Broncos, Marino and his receivers took advantage of the susceptible Denver secondary. Marino threw four TD passes, three to Lamar Thomas, who has really come on in recent weeks. Thomas, big Oronde Gadsden and reliable O.J. McDuffie have been making plays in recent weeks. For the most part, Denver’s pass defense hasn’t. Neither Ray Crockett nor Darrien Gordon is a dominant corner. Based on Marino’s success throwing the ball in the first meeting, don’t be surprised if the Dolphins look to the air again.

One of the keys to success vs. Buffalo last week was the play of the offensive line. The return of OLT Richmond Webb from a triceps injury allowed the Dolphins to move Brent Smith to left guard, his more natural position. They did a fine job in limiting the effectiveness of Bill DRE Bruce Smith. Bronco DRE Maa Tanuvasa is a speed rusher whose proficiency at getting to the edge will present another tough challenge for Webb.

Meanwhile, Brent Smith, C Tim Ruddy and ORG Kevin Donnalley, a fine run blocker, will have to create room against athletic, active DT’s Trevor Pryce and Keith Traylor. DLE Neil Smith (abdominal muscle) is expected to return after a two-game absence. He will be in a strength-vs.-strength matchup vs. big ORT James Brown.