NO TIME TO LOSE

Can Miami stop the rot this weekend, a loss to the Browns will put an exclamation on the 2025 season, we are not sure that anybody predicted they would only have one win thus far, but they are what they are, not a very good team. They have some talent, but it isn’t enough to make a difference and there are rumours swirling that they are open to offers as they are facing a full rebuild yet again. How much longer do we as fans have to endure the pain of following the team, it appears it isn’t going to stop any time soon.

Looking down the Browns injury list TE David Njoku is their only player ruled out. They have five players down as questionable, they are T Jack Conlin, DT’s Mason Graham and Mike Hall Jr, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and WR Gage Larvadain, of that list only Conklin and Graham are starters, they may struggle with rotation, but we will have to wait and see.

As for Miami they are relatively healthy, Elijah Campbell is the only one out for the game. Tyrel Dodson has been dealing with concussion but he has been participating since Wednesday so there is a good chance he will be out on the field. The other player that may return is Storm Duck, he has been nursing an ankle injury, but like Dodson he has practiced during the week so we may see him.

Cleveland is at 1-5 just like Miami, but they have faced tougher opponents, the Bengals before Joe Burrow went out, the Ravens with Jackson, the Packers, Lions, Vikings and Steelers. The only win coming at the expense of Green Bay, not sure how they did it, but Joe Flacco was the QB under centre for them that day. He has however been shipped to the Bengals since then, so they have turned to the rookie Dillon Gabriel over the last couple of weeks. He has had his growing pains put it seems as though Kevin Stefanski isn’t holding his young passer back.

Against the Steelers he attempted fifty-two passes which is unheard of for a QB with one previous NFL start under his belt. It wasn’t as though they were that cautious the week before as he chalked up thirty-three passes in his debut. The problem is the cast of pass catchers he has at his disposal don’t exactly scare anybody. Jerry Jeudy is the only established receiver of the bunch, but he had a terrible game against Pittsburgh. He was targeted thirteen times but only came away with five receptions for forty-three yards. It will be interesting how he fares against one of the worst secondaries in the league.

The player that may create a headache is back-up TE Harold Fannin Jr. who finished with eighty-one yards on seven receptions, we all know that Miami can’t nullify TE’s so he could be their difference maker that keeps the chains moving. However, one thing is for sure the Dolphins D line are going to get a big dose of Quinshon Judkins and Jerome Ford, why wouldn’t you when it is obvious Miami can’t stop the run. After six games they still haven’t found the answer and Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips haven’t shown any signs of improvement.

As for Tua, he needs to be more careful with the ball, one of last weeks INT’s wasn’t his fault but he has now thrown eight during the six games played. Jaylen Waddle has stepped up since the loss of Tyreek Hill if you can look past the bobble that led to the first INT. He had a great catch down the sideline, showing great concentration while falling to the ground, and added another long completion to finish the game with a shade under the century mark. The question is, will he be zoned in as speculation swirls about an imminent trade, not helped by the fact he has removed Miami and the Dolphins from his Instagram account, what is going on, it doesn’t bode well if we are honest.

Something that can’t be overlooked is the weather for the game, the forecast suggests there could be strong winds during the clash, so passing could be tricky, and this is where the Browns have the upper hand because their defense knows how to stop the run. They are currently own the lowest YPC of any team with 3.1 yards, so De’Von Achane’s break out may be put on ice for another week.

It isn’t as if teams can’t score on the Browns, far from it as they have given up the most points in the redzone, between the twenties they are stingy, but if you can get within sniffing distance of their goal line you have a very good chance of scoring, they are dead last in the redzone, it doesn’t equate. Somehow Miami needs to be effective moving the ball and score when they have the opportunity, it isn’t as if they are going to have to score a lot if the Browns offense stays true to form as they are only averaging thirteen points a game. Something must give, but hopefully Miami will come away with the win.