DOLPHINS @ PACKERS PREVIEW!

THIS SHIP IS NOT SINKING!

This Sunday, the Packers host the Dolphins at Lambeau Field. Over the years, meetings between the two clubs have been sparse yet memorable. This contest should be no different.

The Miami Dolphins are 2-2 (3rd in AFC East) and are coming off a home-turf takeover by the Patriots 2 weeks ago, and an early bye last week. While much is made of bye-week significance in the NFL, statistics continue to show that it is a non-factor, if not slightly bad for the team.

At quarterback, Dolphins' slinger Chad Henne continues to grow into his role. While no one expects him to be a great QB in the NFL, he's certainly a capable starter worthy of the job. Henne has a rating of 86.2, 5 TD's, and 4 INT's through 4 games in 5 weeks. Much like his stats, his attributes are only slightly above average. He's got a decent arm and is pretty accurate, but is a risk-taker who often leaves fans scratching their heads. A banged up Packers defense is going to have to account for star wideout, Brandon Marshall, and the sometimes hazardous hydra of tailbacks Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. WR Devone Bess has also recently emerged as a matchup problem, playing sort of a James Jones-esque role for the Dolphins. The Packers will be forced to go without their main pressure provider in LB Clay Matthews, who is nursing a hammie. Miami's offense has only recently started to gel, and they're averaging just 16.5 points per game, but it should be noted that they've had to go up against some of the league's toughest D's in Minnesota and New York(J). With Green Bay forced to rely on sly-scheming Dom Capers to navigate a dinged-up defense, I'd expect the Dolphins to post 17-24 points in this contest.

It will be up to the Packer's offense to put up big numbers without TE Jermichael Finley, who was lost for the season last week. It can be done. Rookie TE Andrew Quarless will be looking to make up for a dropped TD catch last week, and he has the skills to do so. His weakness is blocking, but TE Donald Lee has been cleared to start and should help out on that front. Miami's defense is ranked 3rd in overall yards allowed, giving up just 299.3 yards per game. They're 1st overall against the pass and 12th versus the rush. Despite those high rankings, precision passers like the Patriots' Tom Brady and the Jets' Mark Sanchez hung big numbers on Miami. It is QB Aaron Rodgers' job to prove he belongs in the conversation. Rodgers is coming off a concussion and surely hopes his receivers don't drop nearly as many perfectly placed passes as they did in last week's OT loss at Washington. Green Bay saw flashes of a reliable run-game last week, and should look to exploit what appears to be Miami's only real weakness on defense. Obviously the Packers are a pass-first team, but without Finley in the mix, the field could be pretty condensed. Team morale will be hanging in the balance during this contest, but I feel confident the team will bounce back from last week's upset and post at least 27 points on Sunday.

Despite firing their special teams coach after a slashing by the Patriots, the 'fins are ranked 10th overall defending returns. Green Bay will need its special teams unit to come up big, as field position should figure largely into this contest.

As stated previously, I think the Packers will need to score more than 24 points to win, and I think they will.

DOLPHINS 23 - PACKERS 27