The Miami Dolphins wrap up their non-division schedule on Sunday, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at Sun Life Stadium. The Eagles were expected to compete for a Super Bowl this season after adding marquee cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to complement an already explosive offense.
But Philadelphia has gone from the Miami Heat of the NFL to the Washington Generals, losing four of its first five games and failing to get back into the playoff hunt since then. A loss will end either team's very slim playoff hopes, so both have plenty to play for on Sunday.
When the Dolphins have the ball: Miami has hit its stride on offense, averaging 27.8 points over its last five games. Reggie Bush should see plenty of action against an Eagles defense that gave up 148 yards on the ground to Seattle's Marshawn Lynch last week. Bush ran for 100 yards against Oakland last week, his second triple-digit effort of the season.
Brandon Marshall needs only 90 yards receiving to notch his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. He will be tested by Asomugha on Sunday. The Eagles' cornerback has only 3 interceptions and 4 pass breakups on the season, but that is largely the result of opposing teams shying away from throwing to his side of the field.
When the Eagles have the ball: Philadelphia has one of the more prolific offenses in the NFL, but because of the team's league-leading 29 turnovers, that has not translated into many points. The Eagles are third in the NFL in offensive yardage with 413 yards per game, but 16th in points with 22.6 per game.
The Eagles expect QB Michael Vick to return from a rib injury. Vick is a big step up from backup Vince Young, who threw 8 interceptions in three games starting in place of Vick. Vick could make things tricky for Miami's defense. The Dolphins have not exactly struggled with mobile quarterbacks this season, but still lost to Tim Tebow's Broncos and Colt McCoy's Browns thanks to late comebacks.
But Philadelphia's biggest weapon on offense is RB LeSean McCoy, who is averaging just under 100 yards a game. He leads the NFL in touchdowns with 15.
Who has the edge? The Eagles will get their yards on offense, meaning if they can avoid turning the ball over, the Dolphins could find themselves playing from behind for the first time since dropping its first 7 games of the season. But considering the way Philadelphia has played this season, that may be too much to expect. The Eagles' suspect run defense could give the Dolphins too many opportunities to exploit.
The Pick: Dolphins 17-Eagles 13
Details: Philadelphia Eagles (4-8) at Miami Dolphins (4-8)
TV: FOX, 1:00 p.m., Chris Myers, Tim Ryan
Line: Dolphins by 1.5
Previously: Dolphins lost 17-7 in Philadelphia in 2007
