The Miami Dolphins play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday Nov 15, as the Bucs look for their second straight win of the season.

The Buccaneers (1-7) beat Green Bay 38-28 in Week 9 but still sit dead last in the NFC South. Rookie QB Josh Freeman made 14 of 31 passes for 205 yards with three TD passes and one interception in his first NFL start. RB Carnell Williams had 16 carries for 56 yards, while TE Kellen Winslow made four catches for 57 yards with a TD. RB Derrick Ward and WR Sammie Stroughter each contributed a TD. Their defense pulled down three interceptions and five sacks. Despite their first win against a semi decent Packers squad the Bucs are still bad, but with QB Freeman at the helm the Bucs are a bit better. Rookie QB Freeman did a good job eluding the rush and kept his eyes on receivers downfield to make plays . If he can get their 23rd ranked pass game going they might be able to move the chains against the Dolphins 29th ranked pass defense. The Bucs ground game won’t have much of a chance against their fifth ranked rush defense.  RB Carnell Williams is the Bucs lead rusher with a low 361 yards rushing and three TD’s. Just let the kid go out there and have fun, their O-line must allow QB Freeman time to throw. The Bucs average 16.8ppg and give up 28.9ppg, while they are 0-3 SU on the road where they average 15.7ppg and allow 27.3ppg. They are 2-6 ATS and 5-3 over/under.

The Dolphins (3-5) lost in New England 17-27 in Week 9 and now sit third in the AFC East. QB Chad Henne made 19 of 34 passes for 219 yards with no TD’s; overall he’s thrown for 990 yards with four TD passes and three interceptions for a 77.8 passer rating. RB Ronnie Brown had 15 carries for 48 yards, while RB Ricky Williams had seven carries for 45 yards with a TD. WR Greg Camarillo made five catches for 71 yards, while TE Joey Haynos added a TD. There was not enough of a pass rush on defense (linebackers Joey Porter and Jason Taylor didn’t have any sacks) and there were too many dropped passes on offense (four). Their offense is ranked 23rd overall with a 28th ranked pass game, but they have the fourth best running game in the league. They must use their wildcat scheme and run down the clock, that’s what got them wins at the start of the season . As for defense, they must get to opposing QB’S and put pressure on them. “If you hit QB’s, they can’t throw the ball,” Dolphins linebacker Reggie Torbor said. “But you let them stand back there, they will throw the ball.” They won’t have to worry about deep threats from the Bucs offense, but they don’t know much about rookie QB Josh Freeman. The Dolphins defense is ranked 29th against the pass and they are great against the rush with the fifth best rush defense. The Dolphins average 24.1ppg and give up 25.5ppg, while they are 2-2 SU at home where they average 31.5ppg and allow 27.5ppg. They are 4-4 ATS and 5-3 over/under. (more…)