Game Preview – PHI at MIA

Before we talk about what will happen on Sunday, we need to talk about who will be playing.

Roster Move: #Eagles have promoted TE Josh Perkins from the practice squad to the active roster and activated CB Cre'Von LeBlanc from Reserve/Injured.#Eagles have waived DT Albert Huggins. pic.twitter.com/oUWsbpEyMC

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 30, 2019

Adding a TE would seem to be a bad sign for Zach Ertz. Right now this is precautionary.

Zach Ertz (hamstring) will try to play against Dolphins, a source said. Will test injury out pregame. Enters Sunday with intention to play. Josh Perkins brought up from practice squad as insurance.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 1, 2019

If Ertz has any kind of setback, Perkins can step in for him. The Eagles really do need two TEs for the offense to be able to run all the different schemes that Doug Pederson and the staff like. Perkins is a limited blocker, but is athletic and has some ability as a pass-catcher.

It will be interesting to see how LeBlanc is used. By activating him to the roster, it sure seems like the Eagles plan on having him active on gameday. Normally LeBlanc plays in the slot, but that spot is manned by Avonte Maddox. For now, LeBlanc may be a backup and special teams player. He does give the coaches flexibility in case of injury.

So let’s talk about the game.

Miami is 30th or lower in yards and points on offense and defense. Doug Pederson referred to them as a good team. They most certainly are not a good team. Nothing close. They do have to be taken seriously because they do have some talent and they have a veteran QB. That gives any team a chance to win.

The Dolphins upset the Colts a few weeks back. The key to that upset…takeaways. The Dolphins only 8 of them all year and 3 came in that game. For them to beat a better team, they need to come up with impact plays on defense.

I’m curious to see how Pederson calls this game. Miami is 31st in the league in rushing yards allowed. That would tell you to run the ball. You have to factor in that Miami is losing big on a regular basis so teams are calling mainly running plays in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins don’t give up a ton of passing yards, but opposing QBs have a rating of 106.8 and have thrown 27 TDs against them. Don’t be shocked if Pederson has Carson Wentz throwing the ball early in the game.

Miami struggles to rush the passer. They only have 14 sacks this year. Part of that is on the rush and part is on a weak coverage unit.

The Dolphins have 5 defensive backs on IR or PUP, including 4 Week 1 starters, plus they traded Minkah Fitzpatrick, and 3 of their defensive back replacements are questionable for Sunday. If the Eagles can't throw on this team, they can't throw on anyone.

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) November 29, 2019

Wentz and the Eagles passing game need to come alive on Sunday. That doesn’t mean 300 yards and 5 TDs, but they need to make some plays. No excuses this week. Good weather. Weak defense. Healthy offense. The passing offense must click.

What about the Dolphins offense?

Ryan Fitzpatrick did torch the Eagles last year, but he was throwing to DeSean Jackson (remember him?), Mike Evans and O.J. Howard. Miami doesn’t have players with that kind of talent. WR DeVante Parker is posting solid numbers. TE Mike Gesicki is very athletic, but hasn’t proven to be overly productive in the NFL (one career TD reception).

The Eagles defense should control the line of scrimmage in this. Miami has struggled to run the ball and protect the passer. The Eagles DL needs to live in the backfield.

It sure sounds like a lot of Eagles fans are down in Miami. This will be another of those home games away from The Linc.

This is a game the Eagles should win and need to win.

_