Dolphin defense looks to slow Davis, Broncos

Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Fla.,
Monday, Dec. 21

AT A GLANCE: John Elway and Dan Marino, both members of the renowned QB class of 1983, meet for only the second time in a regular-season game in a matchup that will go a long way in determining AFC playoff matchups.

One of the NFL’s top offenses matches up with one of the league’s top defenses as the Broncos and Dolphins meet Monday night in Miami.

Denver’s upset loss to the Giants in Week 15 took some of the luster off of this matchup, but it is still a key contest for the Dolphins.

Miami (9-5) will know by kickoff whether it is still in contention for the AFC East crown. If the Jets beat Buffalo on Saturday, the best the Dolphins can hope for is a home game in the wild-card round.

Miami’s strength is its defense, which has been very good, especially at home. The Dolphins were ranked first in the league in scoring defense entering last week’s loss to the Jets. But Miami’s speedy, aggressive defense will face a major test in Terrell Davis and the Broncos.

Davis still has a chance to surpass Eric Dickerson’s season rushing record. Davis has 1,801 yards through 14 games and needs to average 152.5 yards in the final two games to surpass Dickerson’s mark.

This game also marks only the second regular-season meeting between Dan Marino and John Elway, the only two remaining active members of the famed QB class of 1983.

These two teams last met in 1985, when the Dolphins upended the Broncos 30-26. Marino threw for 390 yards and three touchdowns in that game, while Elway passed for 250 yards.

WHEN THE BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL:

Davis presents a problem for any defense he faces, but the flow-to-the-ball Dolphins will have to emphasize being patient and keeping containment against the talented running back. If Miami’s "D" becomes overly aggressive in the running game, Davis could use the cutback to reel off some big gains.

The Dolphin defense could have some difficulty covering Denver’s Shannon Sharpe, who is as good a downfield receiver as any tight end in the league. MLB Zach Thomas and SS Calvin Jackson will share the assignment of covering Sharpe. Sharpe will have a significant size advantage over either.

Denver’s wideouts, Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith, are also big and physical. They match up against Dolphin CB’s Sam Madison and Terrell Buckley, who are both having fine seasons. Both Buckley and Madison like to play press coverage and bump receivers at the line of scrimmage. It will be interesting to see whether Buckley in particular can effectively chuck McCaffrey and Smith at the line.

Miami’s best pass rusher is athletic DRE Jason Taylor. He will try to use his speed to get by OLT Tony Jones, who is a solid player. Inside, DT’s Tim Bowens and Daryl Gardener will try to occupy blockers to allow Thomas and the other Dolphin linebackers to roam free and make plays. Denver has a mobile OL group that could neutralize the fine athleticism of Miami’s defensive line.