The Miami Dolphins will look to make it six wins a row after they face the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.

Forward of the matchup, we provide our weekly rating and evaluation of the 5 greatest storylines:

1. McDaniel Faces His Mentor

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned early within the week he did not need the matchup to develop into about him, however there by no means was an opportunity that his confrontation together with his longtime teaching associate Kyle Shanahan would not be the focus. It is very true with phrase out of San Francisco is that the 49ers offense is perhaps missing just a little one thing with McDaniel now doing his factor in Miami. Coaches have egos identical to gamers, and regardless that they by no means would admit publicly, it is apparent that McDaniel and Shanahan need this win perhaps greater than another — as tangible proof that they did not want the opposite one to succeed on their very own. Add the truth that the 2 know one another very nicely, and it is bought the makings of a cool chess match the place it’s going to be fascinating to see how comes up with the large shock someday through the recreation.

2. The Former 49ers Operating Backs

Like McDaniel, operating backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. tried to downplay their return to San Francisco for this recreation, whereas additionally acknowledging it is clearly not simply one other recreation. Past the homecoming side for each, they determine to play an essential function if the Dolphins are to tug out a victory towards the 49ers.

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3. Energy vs. Energy

This can be a traditional matchup of nice offense vs. nice protection when the third-ranked Miami assault goes towards the No. 1 protection within the NFL, one which hasn’t given up a second-half level in a month and is coming off a full-game shutout of the New Orleans Saints. The Dolphins, however, have topped 30 factors 4 consecutive video games thanks largely to their high-octane passing assault. The Dolphins did not actually face an important protection throughout that stretch, identical to the 49ers did not face an important offense throughout their dominant four-game run (the Chargers have expertise, however they had been lacking their high two large receivers and high two tackles after they confronted the 49ers). So one thing has to present between the Dolphins offense and the 49ers protection.

4. Can the O-Line Maintain Up?

Associated to the second and third storylines right here must be the offensive line as a result of the result is not going to work out nicely for both if the blokes up entrance do not do a greater job than they did after Terron Armstead left the sport towards Houston due to a pectoral harm. Armstead was listed as uncertain on the ultimate harm report of the week, together with Austin Jackson being declared out, and the very fact the Dolphins elevated not one however two linemen from the follow squad Saturday actually wasn’t an encouraging signal. The primary query is whether or not Armstead will be capable of play, after which what sort of job he would be capable of do if he does play, after which lastly how nicely can the Dolphins maintain up towards the rugged 49ers entrance seven if Armstead would not play. To make certain, the Dolphins will adapt their recreation plan to regulate to their circumstances up entrance, however the offensive line nonetheless should do its half.

5. Seeking to Jam Up Jimmy G Once more

It was simply two years in the past that the Dolphins final noticed Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers after they traveled to San Francisco and left with a 43-17 victory. Whereas the offense was spectacular that day, the protection made life depressing for Garoppolo on their solution to a 30-7 halftime lead. Garoppolo got here into the sport banged up and left after being sacked thrice and picked off twice within the first two quarters. A repeat efficiency by the Dolphins protection would go a good distance towards serving to the group go away Levi’s Stadium with its sixth consecutive win, however that unit hasn’t delivered a signature efficiency on the highway up to now this season. This might be a superb time for the primary. 

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