The Dolphins haven't opened a season with back-to-back road wins since 1977. And if they're going to do it today at 1:00 in Minnesota (CBS), it's going to take everything they've got.
Which isn't to say it isn't possible. The Vikings (0-1) may have the edge in run defense, pass defense, and ground game, but there's always...well, our cheerleaders are really, really hot, but they don't travel. Brett Favre will be missing Sidney Rice, so there's that, too.
We've already covered what could go wrong. So how can the Dolphins beat last year's NFC runner-ups? Let us count the ways.
1. Nail Brett Favre. And then do it again. Besides providing oodles of joy to those of us who've suffered his annual maybe-retiring me-fest for far too long, this is how the Saints managed to beat the Vikings twice in seventh months. Favre is 41, and he still owns a rocket launcher arm, but his body can't take what it used to. Nor can it move more than three steps without oil. The catch is that rushing five or six guys at once puts pressure on the cornerbacks, because we all know Favre's goin' deep. We're not so worried about Vontae Davis, but in spite of a good game last week we've got one eye still trained on Jason Allen.
2. Take an early lead. The Vikings were 9-0 in the Metrodome last year. No one has anything else to do up there, making the Vikings' home a most nasty environment for visiting teams. The only way to make environment a non-factor? Shut it up fast, and keep it there. The other benefit of jumping ahead is that the Vikings will abandon their formidable ground game for the air -- and Brett Favre looked pretty rusty last week. Perhaps you heard, he didn't show for camp until the last minute?
2. Watch out for Visanthe Schiancoe. With Percy Harvin hobbled and Rice out, the Vikings' tight end -- and one of Favre's favorite targets -- could see a lot of action. Last year, tight ends were Miami's fishy kryptonite -- and it remains to be seen how much this problem is fixed with the addition of Karlos Dansby -- if at all.
4. Give Chad Henne time. With no wind factor, playing in a dome is a quarterback's delight (runner up: Oreos). But both times the Dolphins called deep pass plays against Buffalo, Henne's protection crumbled. The Vikings' run defense is no. 2 in the league, and it'll be tough work for Miami to get past defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams. Minnesota secondary is hobbled, and the Dolphins' advantage is in the passing game. Henne can make those throws, but he does need time.
Sports
Predictions:
Chris Mortenson, Adam Schefter, Tom Jackson, Pete Prisco, Mike Florio, Peter King, and Jason Cole are on board the Vikings' ship.
On the side of angels and Dolphins, we count Mike Ditka, Gregg Rosenthal, and ...that's it. Just two. But one of 'em is Mike Ditka, so we've got that going for us.
Pick:
Minnesota, 24-17. Don't hurt us.
