Scouting Report: Eagles at Dolphins
Phila. at Miami, 9 p.m. Monday, Ch. 6, 7
RECORDS: Eagles 10-3; Dolphins 8-5
LINE: Dolphins by 2 points RADIO: WMGM-FM 103-7, WYSP-FM 94.1
TV ANNOUNCERS: Al Michaels, John Madden and field reporter Lisa Guerrero
DAVE WEINBERG'S PICK: Dolphins 21, Eagles 20
LAST TIME MET: Dolphins place-kicker Olindo Mare booted three field goals, including a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter, to help clinch a 16-13 victory at Miami's Pro Player Stadium on Oct. 24, 1999. The Eagles' only touchdown came on safety Brian Dawkins' 67-yard interception return. Eagles kicker Norm Johnson missed a game-tying, 42-yard field goal with 52 seconds left in regulation.
EAGLES' BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Dallas loses to Washington on Sunday and the Eagles beat the Dolphins to clinch their third straight NFC East title. Quarterback Donovan McNabb hits nine different receivers. Running backs Correll Buckhalter, Duce Staley and Brian Westbrook combine for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler aggravates his injury and replacement Brian Griese throws two interceptions.
EAGLES' WORST-CASE SCENARIO: The Cowboys win and the Eagles lose, reducing their division lead to one game with two to play. The Eagles melt in the heat and humidity. McNabb goes into a funk. Dolphins running back Ricky Williams rushes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Dolphins defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye and Jason Taylor get two sacks apiece.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers (84). The Eagles passed on him and took Freddie Mitchell in the first round of the 2001 draft. Chambers, a second-round pick, has 49 receptions and nine touchdowns, second most in the AFC.
NOTABLE NUMBERS: Dophins lead series 7-3. ... Eagles are 0-5 in Miami. ... Dolphins are 2-0 versus Eagles on "Monday Night Football." ... Eagles are 19-16 on "MNF" and 5-1 under coach Andy Reid. ... Dolphins are 38-30 on "MNF." Their 38 wins are the most of any NFL team. ... Dolphins are 31-16 at home on "MNF." ... Eagles are 11-3 in December since 2000. ... Dolphins are 8-11 in December since 1999.
ASSESSING THE OFFENSES
Eagles: McNabb is coming off another solid performance. Buckhalter has the team's only two 100-yard games this season. Tackle Jon Runyan is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season as part of an improving offensive line. WR Todd Pinkston has been a disappointment. Place-kicker David Akers never misses.
Dolphins: Fiedler is not flashy but gets the job done. A knee injury hinders him. Williams has rushed for 1,081 yards on a league-high 325 carries. Fullback Rob Konrad is a punishing blocker and reliable receiver. Chambers is among the best in the AFC.
EDGE TO EAGLES
ASSESSING THE DEFENSES
Eagles: They give up a lot of yards but not a lot of points. They rank fifth in the NFL in points allowed with 222. Defensive tackles Corey Simon and Darwin Walker are among the league's top tandems. Rookie Sam Rayburn will get even more playing time as their relief. Defensive end N.D. Kalu creates pressure without getting sacks. Linebacker Carlos Emmons is the unit's leader. Dawkins and cornerback Bobby Taylor are nearly back to 100 percent.
Dolphins: Miami's defense has been even stingier, ranking third in the NFL in points allowed with 203, and is terrific in short-yardage situations. Ogunleye and Taylor have combined for 201/2 sacks. Ogunleye leads the AFC with 13.5. Cornerback Patrick Surtain leads the AFC with seven interceptions. Middle linebacker Zach Thomas is one of the best in the league.
EDGE TO DOLPHINS
ASSESSING THE COACHES
Eagles: Reid has his team in position to earn home-field advantage for the playoffs.
Dolphins: Dave Wannstedt might be fired if he doesn't make the playoffs.
EDGE TO EAGLES
KEY MATCHUP
Dolphins offensive coordinator Norv Turner versus Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Both assistant coaches are considered among the best in the league. Turner will need to provide some balance to take heat off Williams. Johnson will come with more blitzes in an effort to create turnovers.
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Phila. at Miami, 9 p.m. Monday, Ch. 6, 7
RECORDS: Eagles 10-3; Dolphins 8-5
LINE: Dolphins by 2 points RADIO: WMGM-FM 103-7, WYSP-FM 94.1
TV ANNOUNCERS: Al Michaels, John Madden and field reporter Lisa Guerrero
DAVE WEINBERG'S PICK: Dolphins 21, Eagles 20
LAST TIME MET: Dolphins place-kicker Olindo Mare booted three field goals, including a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter, to help clinch a 16-13 victory at Miami's Pro Player Stadium on Oct. 24, 1999. The Eagles' only touchdown came on safety Brian Dawkins' 67-yard interception return. Eagles kicker Norm Johnson missed a game-tying, 42-yard field goal with 52 seconds left in regulation.
EAGLES' BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Dallas loses to Washington on Sunday and the Eagles beat the Dolphins to clinch their third straight NFC East title. Quarterback Donovan McNabb hits nine different receivers. Running backs Correll Buckhalter, Duce Staley and Brian Westbrook combine for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler aggravates his injury and replacement Brian Griese throws two interceptions.
EAGLES' WORST-CASE SCENARIO: The Cowboys win and the Eagles lose, reducing their division lead to one game with two to play. The Eagles melt in the heat and humidity. McNabb goes into a funk. Dolphins running back Ricky Williams rushes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Dolphins defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye and Jason Taylor get two sacks apiece.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers (84). The Eagles passed on him and took Freddie Mitchell in the first round of the 2001 draft. Chambers, a second-round pick, has 49 receptions and nine touchdowns, second most in the AFC.
NOTABLE NUMBERS: Dophins lead series 7-3. ... Eagles are 0-5 in Miami. ... Dolphins are 2-0 versus Eagles on "Monday Night Football." ... Eagles are 19-16 on "MNF" and 5-1 under coach Andy Reid. ... Dolphins are 38-30 on "MNF." Their 38 wins are the most of any NFL team. ... Dolphins are 31-16 at home on "MNF." ... Eagles are 11-3 in December since 2000. ... Dolphins are 8-11 in December since 1999.
ASSESSING THE OFFENSES
Eagles: McNabb is coming off another solid performance. Buckhalter has the team's only two 100-yard games this season. Tackle Jon Runyan is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season as part of an improving offensive line. WR Todd Pinkston has been a disappointment. Place-kicker David Akers never misses.
Dolphins: Fiedler is not flashy but gets the job done. A knee injury hinders him. Williams has rushed for 1,081 yards on a league-high 325 carries. Fullback Rob Konrad is a punishing blocker and reliable receiver. Chambers is among the best in the AFC.
EDGE TO EAGLES
ASSESSING THE DEFENSES
Eagles: They give up a lot of yards but not a lot of points. They rank fifth in the NFL in points allowed with 222. Defensive tackles Corey Simon and Darwin Walker are among the league's top tandems. Rookie Sam Rayburn will get even more playing time as their relief. Defensive end N.D. Kalu creates pressure without getting sacks. Linebacker Carlos Emmons is the unit's leader. Dawkins and cornerback Bobby Taylor are nearly back to 100 percent.
Dolphins: Miami's defense has been even stingier, ranking third in the NFL in points allowed with 203, and is terrific in short-yardage situations. Ogunleye and Taylor have combined for 201/2 sacks. Ogunleye leads the AFC with 13.5. Cornerback Patrick Surtain leads the AFC with seven interceptions. Middle linebacker Zach Thomas is one of the best in the league.
EDGE TO DOLPHINS
ASSESSING THE COACHES
Eagles: Reid has his team in position to earn home-field advantage for the playoffs.
Dolphins: Dave Wannstedt might be fired if he doesn't make the playoffs.
EDGE TO EAGLES
KEY MATCHUP
Dolphins offensive coordinator Norv Turner versus Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Both assistant coaches are considered among the best in the league. Turner will need to provide some balance to take heat off Williams. Johnson will come with more blitzes in an effort to create turnovers.
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