The Miami Dolphins should give their season ticket holders some of there money back after watching the horrid product the Fins put on the field each Sunday.  Today was no exception as the Raiders really pushed around the defense of the Dolphins.  The Raiders held onto the football for an amazing 35:07 of this football game.  They did that by rushing for 299 yards on 49 carries (6.1 ypc)!  The Raiders only threw 12 passes, completing 5 for 70 yards because they didn’t need to throw to beat the Dolphins.  Safety Donovin Darius (9 tackles), linebacker Derrick Pope (8 tackles) and DE Matt Roth (6 tackles, sack) were the only defenders to show up for the Aqua and Orange.

Ronnie Brown was the only player that looked good on offense.  He carried the football 15 times for 134 yards (8.9 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 6 passes for 73 yards (12.2 avg).  Trent Green had another bad game completing 14 of 25 passes for 158 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.  You know it’s bad when Justin Peelle leads all receivers and TEs with 3 catches for 45 yards (15.0 avg) with a TD but that’s exactly what he did today.  The Dolphins finished up with 141 yards rushing on 20 carries (7.1 ypc) and they completed 14 of 25 passes for 137 yards.

The Dolphins finally showed some life yesterday but they fell just short in the end.  Trent Green had a solid game as he completed 23 of 36 passes for 318 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  RB Ronnie Brown had an outstanding game as he carried the ball 23 times for 112 yards (4.9 ypc) with 2 TD runs and he also caught 6 passes for 99 yards (16.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.  WRs Chris Chambers (6 rec, 101 yards) and Marty Booker (5 rec, 60 yards) both had solid games also for the Dolphins.  The Dolphins finished up rushing for 112 yards on 23 carries (4.9 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 36 passes for 312 yards.

The Dolphins had a good defensive effort overall despite giving up a lot of points.  7 of the points were scored on a 98-yard kickoff return by Jets’ RB Leon Washington.  LBs Donnie Spragan (11 tackles) and Channing Crowder (9 tackles) both had good football games.  The Jets finished up with 141 yards rushing on 38 carries (3.7 ypc) and they completed 15 of 22 passes for 115 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270923020

Both of these football teams are off to rough starts to the season as they are both 0-2.  The Dolphins would like to run the football against the Jets who allow 126.0 yards rushing per game but that might be easier said than done.  The Dolphins are only averaging 63.5 yard rushing per game and 3.1 yards per carry so far this season.  Ronnie Brown (65 yards rushing, 3.0 ypc) and Jesse Chatman (10 car, 42 yards) need to give the Dolphins offense better balance.  This could be the game that Trent Green really breaks out as the Jets don’t have a sack yet this season and opposing QBs have a 119.9 QB Rating against the Jets!  Chris Chambers (15 rec, 201 yards) and Marty Booker (7 rec, 99 yards, TD) should both have good games against the injury depleted secondary of the Jets.  Look for TE David Martin (3 rec, 22 yards) and #3 WR Derek Hagan (2 rec, 33 yards, TD) to be the Dolphins’ secret weapons this Sunday.

The Jets will likely try to get their running game going this week against a Dolphins’ defense that is allowing 178.5 yards rushing per game and 4.6 ypc.  If MLB Zach Thomas doesn’t play (he’s injured), Thomas Jones will find the Fins defense much easier to run against than the Patriots and Ravens.  Jones has only rushed for 109 yards this season and 2.9 yards per carry but he could be in line for a huge football game.  The Dolphins also have problems at safety so look for Chad Pennington to target Jerricho Cotchery (13 rec, 222 yards) and Laveranues Coles (13 rec, 116 yards) deep.

PREDICTION:  This game will be exciting.  Neither team has much of a defense and both teams have played tough defensive teams so far so the offenses should excel this week.  I think the Jets are the better football team and they are at home so look for the Jets to win a high scoring football game by a field goal.

Trent Green has been having trouble this season as he is looking his age on the field.  Green has completed 47 of 78 (60.3%) passes for 506 yards with 3 TD passes and 4 interceptions (70.8 QB Rating).  Part of Green’s problem has been that the offensive line just can’t block.  The Dolphins are only averaging 63.5 yards rushing this season and Green has been sacked 4 times already.  If the line doesn’t improve soon the Dolphins might be forced to go with Cleo Lemon at QB because of his running ability even though he will likely never be as good of a passer as Trent Green has been in his NFL career.