Dolphins Victory Over Packers In Week 6 Contingent On Clock Control

By Alexander Christian @CouchGuyRants on October 10, 2014

It has been said that the best offense is a good defense. While that may be true, when playing against Aaron Rodgers, the best defense may be a good offense. If the Miami Dolphins have any chance of beating the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, controlling the clock, and keeping Rodgers and company off the field, is critical.

In three of Miami’s four games, and in both of the team’s wins, the Dolphins led in time of possession. Granted, the concept of winning the time of possession battle is by no means groundbreaking, but that doesn’t make it any less valid. This is especially the case when facing an offense that has an almost prodigious tendency to score on almost every possession. Less possessions, less chances for Rodgers to rack up points. Simple enough, right?

With the return of Mike Pouncey, presumably to guard, the already strong Dolphins running game gets a personnel boost. Samson Satele has performed admirably at center, and Pouncey is certainly an upgrade over the alternatives on the right side of the line. This bodes well for a replenished backfield with Knowshon Moreno returning and Lamar Miller coming off a good performance against the Oakland Raiders. Couple that with a matchup against the worst rush defense in the NFL, and the Dolphins have some semblance of hope against the road favorite Packers.

So far this season, the Dolphins have had little luck throwing the ball deep down the field, as is evidenced by Ryan Tannehill’s tendency to throw quick-hitting routes and hit check-down receivers. The running game has been essential to setting up success in the play-action game and opening up routes across the middle of the field, and if the Dolphins are to have long, sustained drives, the running game must open up those lanes for the short to intermediate passing game so that Tannehill and company can control the clock and keep Rodgers on the sideline.

This Sunday will be hot and humid in Miami, which sets up perfectly for the Dolphins. If the team is able to keep Green Bay’s defense on the field, and by extension Rodgers off of it, there is a chance that Miami comes out on top. If not, and it is the Dolphins’ defense that is stuck out on the field for prolonged periods of time against one of the best offenses in the league, it will be a long day for Miami.