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The Miami Dolphins have had to battle through some tough injuries all season long. On Saturday night against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round, that will be no different. That is especially true on the defensive side of the ball for Miami. Overall, pass rushers Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) both suffered devastating injuries within the last seven games of the regular season. Unfortunately for that Dolphins defense, they lost even more defenders to injury in the regular season finale on Sunday night.
Miami head coach Mike McDaniel provided some notable injury updates on Monday afternoon. First off, linebacker Jerome Baker had wrist surgery after Sunday’s Week 18 game. Defensive end/outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel also suffered a foot injury, on top of that. As a result of those ailments, both players will be unable to play for the Dolphins defense on Saturday in the Wild Card game against the Chiefs. Finally, cornerback Xavien Howard got hurt against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 and did not play on Sunday night. Due to his foot injury, McDaniel mentioned that Miami does not plan or anticipate Howard being available against Kansas City.
What do these injuries on the Dolphins defense mean for the Chiefs offense? Let’s kick it off.
Kansas City Could Work Towards Outside Perimeters
For years, the Vic Fangio defense has been known to put opposing offenses in binds. The objective is to make offensive units work towards the middle of the field. If that happens, Fangio’s Dolphins can usually create havoc by funneling plays into traffic and congested areas in the middle of the field. But now with three key pass rushers and an instinctive linebacker out due to injury, Miami may be forced to sit back and be less aggressive than they want to be.
With that in mind, this could allow the Chiefs offense to work towards the outside perimeters against the Dolphins defense. With Fangio in charge, Miami is not afraid to disguise and switch up coverages on the outside from snap to snap. Yet, this Kansas City passing attack has shown that they can have more success with quick throws in short to intermediate areas on the outside. With that being a key source of production for the Chiefs passing attack this season, it would not be surprising to see KC start with that plan of attack against this short-handed Miami defensive group.
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Intriguing Battle On The Edges
While we are certain the Dolphins defense will be missing some key defenders up front, there is a bit of a question mark regarding the Chiefs offensive tackles. Both Wanya Morris and Jawaan Taylor have found their footing late in the season as the starting offensive tackle tandem. However, both players got a bit banged up in the regular season finale. Morris entered concussion protocol and Taylor appeared to have tweaked something in his lower body.
Time will tell if those guys are healthy enough to play on Saturday against Miami. Of course, if Morris cannot go, it will be interesting to see if Donovan Smith is available. Smith has missed roughly a month with a nagging neck stinger injury. Depending on true availability for Kansas City against this hindered Dolphins defense, the Chiefs may have to adjust their protection plan for Patrick Mahomes.
Relying On Run Game?
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As we have stated multiple times throughout the latter part of the season, the Chiefs are likely going to have to be balanced offensively if they want to make a playoff run. Based on up-and-down results from the wide receivers, relying on the run game was already going to be a crucial factor for Kansas City. But now with these challenging injuries that the Dolphins defense is dealing with, that ability to lean on the rushing attack may matter even more for the Chiefs.
Isiah Pacheco is already difficult to bring down, due to his mix of power, speed and balance against contact. Add in these injuries in the Miami front seven, and many Dolphins defenders will have to step up to slow him down. Meanwhile, the weather forecast is displaying temperatures below 20 degrees and maybe even below 10 degrees for Saturday night. Miami will show us early enough in the game if they are willing to step up and make tackles. In the end, those fierce cold temperatures could open the door for Pacheco and the KC rushing attack even further against this banged up Dolphins defense.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.