NFL Miami Dolphins

Lamar Miller Will Be X-Factor For Miami Dolphins In Week 7

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By @nick_villano

Lamar Miller

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins looked like they had a real chance to steal the AFC East when they were 2-2 and the New England Patriots were coming off a Monday Night licking thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs. That seems like ages ago at this point.

The Pats have won two games in convincing fashion, and the Dolphins lost a heart-breaker to the Green Bay Packers. Now they have to go into Soldier Field and take on the Chicago Bears.

There are many players who could be an X-Factor in this matchup, but with the Fins offense struggling like it has, you have to imagine that side of the ball needs to step up to beat the Bears. Lamar Miller has been holding up the offense during the passing game’s struggles.

The Dolphins running attack took a serious blow this week with the news that Knowshon Moreno would be placed on season-ending IR. That means the job is Miller’s to keep all season. He must step up this week to keep the Dolphins’ small playoff hopes alive early in the season.

Miller has been good when asked to perform. In five games, he has 330 yards on the ground and 93 through the air. Only two running backs in all of football have a better YPC. He is averaging 5.2 yards every time he grabs a handoff.

Miller has one major problem this season, and that is fumbling. He has lost three fumbles in five games this season. He needs to hold onto the ball, or the Dolphins may be forced to look at another option, even if he runs the same way.

The Bears defense has played very well to start this season. They haven’t allowed a team to rush for 100 yards since Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. Miller is going to be relied upon to get the offense moving.

Miller is that much more important with the struggles of Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins currently rank 25th in average passing yards per game. With players like Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Jarvis Landry catching the ball, it is an issue they cannot get big yards.

There is no doubt who the key in this game is on the Miami side. If Miller plays poorly, there is no hope for a backup to pick up the slack. Fans know that Tannehill has no chance to out-throw Jay Cutler. They need to control the clock and keep the ball away from an offense that has Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffrey at their skill positions. Miller is the X-Factor in this game, period.

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