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 Miami Dolphins (2-3) at Chicago
Bears (3-3)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Soldier Field, Chicago - TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn
*Keys to the game: The Bears' defense has been gaining confidence on
a weekly basis with a more physical mindset, starting up front with
a defensive line setting the tone for the league's 10th-ranked run
defense. Miami averages 137 rushing yards per game, but RB Lamar
Miller, expected to shoulder the load with Knowshon Moreno lost for
the season, is nursing a sore knee, which could leave more carries
to Daniel Thomas and unproven Damien Williams. QB Ryan Tannehill
continues to be highly inconsistent, and the Bears have handled the
read-option well against Colin Kaepernick and Geno Smith in recent
weeks.
With a dinged-up offensive line, the Bears may have trouble
regularly pushing the ball vertically. QB Jay Cutler has found RB
Matt Forte 22 times out of the backfield over the past two games and
an NFL-high 46 times on the season, providing a trusted outlet to
thwart Miami's formidable pass rush. Chicago may also resort to
leaving a tight end back to help chip rushers. Eventually, however,
the matchups on the outside will be too compelling and Cutler will
attempt to stretch the field, which in turns opens running lanes.
OFFICIAL FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
MIAMI DOLPHINS
--Doubtful: S Jimmy Wilson (hamstring)
--Questionable: C Samson Satele (hamstring)
--Probable: T Branden Albert (elbow), TE Charles Clay (knee), LS
John Denney (knee), CB Cortland Finnegan (neck), WR Brandon Gibson
(hamstring), WR Brian Hartline (finger), RB Lamar Miller (knee), LB
Koa Misi (ankle), G Shelley Smith (knee), QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle),
G Dallas Thomas (shoulder), LB Philip Wheeler (shoulder, thumb)
CHICAGO BEARS
--Out: LB Lance Briggs (ribs), S Chris Conte (shoulder)
[to top of second column] |
--Questionable: LB Jon Bostic (back)
--Probable: T Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), S Ahmad Dixon
(hamstring), LB Shea McClellin (hand), CB Sherrick McManis
(quadriceps, knee), T Jordan Mills (foot), LB D.J. Williams (neck)
*Matchup to watch - Dolphins CBs Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan
vs. Bears WRs Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery: Miami's starters
each stands 5-10, giving up five inches to their counterparts.
Marshall, who spent two seasons with Miami from 2010-11, appears
over an ankle injury after catching six passes for 113 yards last
week.
*Player spotlight - Dolphins CB Jamar Taylor: Cutler will attack the
size mismatches outside, which would include Taylor playing the
boundary cornerback spot and Finnegan sliding inside in nickel
packages if S Jimmy Wilson (hamstring) is sidelined.
*Fast facts: After totaling 69 receptions, 759 yards and six
touchdowns last season, Dolphins TE Charles Clay has only 17
receptions for 146 yards and no touchdowns this season. ... Cutler
has a 104.6 passer rating on the road this season, but just 84.7 at
home while throwing a pair of interceptions in both defeats.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Bears entered the season with a potent offense, but it's the
physical defense that has been able to impose its will on several
opponents despite a string of injuries that continues to impress --
and Tannehill is a turnover waiting to happen with his 74.1 third
down passer rating.
*Our pick: Bears 31-23
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