Top 4 Questions of the Week: Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Chargers
How will Jay Cutler fare in his first game as a Dolphin?
All the weapons are there. The team is lead by a dynamic running back in Jay Ajayi, and also features a versatile receiving corps that stacks up with any in the league. Cutler has the ability, without a doubt. However, the question is can he step in and fill the void left by Ryan Tannehill? Will he be able to limit his turnovers and use his arm talent to push Miami’s offense to the next level? This season rides on whether or not Cutler can come up with answers to these questions.
Can the Dolphins shaky offensive line hold up against the Charger’s dynamic pass rushing duo?
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram make up one of, if not the most, prolific pass rush pairing in the NFL. Despite playing only 12 games his rookie year, Bosa lead the team with 10.5 sacks while Ingram chipped in eight of his own.
It’s no secret that the Dolphins offensive line looked less than stellar last season, and that trend continued into the preseason. If the Dolphins hope to come out of Los Angeles with a win on Sunday, then offensive tackles Ja’Wuan James and Laremy Tunsil need to give Cutler enough time get the ball to the team’s talented receivers.
Will the Dolphins front seven be able to contain Melvin Gordon?
According to espn.com, Miami ranked 30th in rush defense last year, primarily due to a subpar linebacking corp. The team thought they addressed the issue in the offseason, signing longtime Steeler Lawrence Timmons and drafting Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan in the first round. However, a season-ending injury to McMillan in the first preseason game left the team going back to the drawing board all over again.
Due to the loss, Miami took a flier on longtime Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga in hopes that he could bring a veteran presence to the position. Maualuga saw minimal snaps in the preseason. Second-year linebacker Mike Hull will most likely get the start in Week 1. If neither can make an impact against the run on Sunday then the Dolphins may be in for a long day and an even longer season.
Can the Dolphins special teams rebound from a dismal preseason?
There’s no use in sugarcoating it; the Dolphins special teams unit was dreadful throughout the preseason. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who will be entering his seventh consecutive season at the position, has turned water into wine with the unit previously and will need to do so again on Sunday.
In order to do so he will need to rely on two fresh faces. The ex-Brown Cody Parkey was signed late in the preseason in order to replace Andrew Franks at kicker. Meanwhile, rookie lefty Matt Haack beat out Matt Darr to win the punter position. Both will get their first shot to make an impression on Miami’s fanbase this upcoming Sunday.
Preseason standout speedster Jakeem Grant will take over return duties and will bring a spark to the team whenever the ball is in his hands.
AROUND COVER32
Bengals fall flat on their faces in Week 1
Browns come up short against the Steelers
Danny Woodhead expected to miss significant time due to injury…again
Steelers rookie T.J. Watt continues to impress
Power rankings heading into Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season
