RUSH YDS ALLOWED PER GAME: 94.4
By Mark Malone
Special to ESPN.com
It's going to be a difficult task for the Miami defense to stop Terrell Davis two times in a row, especially with Tim Bowens and Jason Taylor out. The Dolphins' run defense is built on the two defensive tackles, Bowens and Daryl Gardener, creating pressure and holding people off so Zach Thomas (pictured above) and company can make plays.
Regardless of the injuries, however, the Dolphins are built to create problems for Davis and the Denver running game. This is because of Miami's defensive philosophy and its personnel. The Dolphins get great penetration, they hold their lanes while they move up the field, and they don't allow themselves to spread out.
The linemen take a gap and try to penetrate, but if they start in a gap, and Davis goes to the left or to the right, they don't change their leverage. They stay in the gap and keep going up the field. They are very disciplined, quick and athletic. Because of that, I would think you'd see them give Davis problems again. They held him to 29 yards on 16 carries in Week 16.
One of the things the Broncos didn't do well in their last meeting was trap. The Miami defense will have to be careful of being trapped in the rematch. The way cornerbacks Sam Madison and Terrell Buckley played the first time, if the Dolphins can get that same performance out of them, then they can get Brock Marion and the safeties up around the line of scrimmage to help on Davis. That will be very important because Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is too good to just put in the same game plan. He's going to have something more.
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ATT: 392 | YDS: 2,008 | AVG: 5.1 | TD: 22
By Merril Hoge
Special to ESPN.com
Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas won the matchup against Terrell Davis during the Monday night game in Week 16, but I'm impressed with the way Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak adjust and create game plans. They'll develop a good plan after seeing what the Dolphins have done and where their strengths lie.
Being at home at Mile High Stadium, I truly expect the Broncos to make the necessary adjustments in the running game to free Davis, and Davis will get the upper hand in a second battle with Miami.
There's no doubt that the two-week break has helped Davis recover, and the playoff atmosphere will create a new source of energy for both Davis and his teammates. They've been playing all season to get to this point, so I believe you'll see the Broncos turn it up now.
Allowing Davis two weeks to fully recover, get his legs back under him and not be banged up gives him a very big advantage. The Dolphins have been pounding and pounding with no break. The defense has played at a very high level. Except for the Atlanta Falcons, very few teams have exposed the Miami defense for an entire football game.
Tim Bowens was their run stopper, and the Dolphins will miss him. He frees up Thomas and the other linebackers to make plays. That's what Bowens and Daryl Gardener are asked to do. They command double teams, create a lot of havoc in the middle, and free the linebackers up to make plays and use their athleticism. And Jason Taylor, who uses a lot of speed to get up the field, won't be there, either, and that's something they can't replace.
The Broncos, now healthy and rested, will use Davis to challenge the Miami defense in those areas.
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AFC: They meet in passing
