CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 3-12 Cleveland Browns host the 7-8 Miami Dolphins in Week 17.
Here’s what we are watching for.
Tua doubtful – Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was downgraded to doubtful due to a hip injury. Tagovailoa played through the injury last week’s 29-17 win over the 49ers that saw him throw for 215 yards and a touchdown. If Tagovailoa is unable to play, Tyler Huntley, who was with the Browns through training camp this year, would start. Miami is 1-3 without Tagovailoa and 1-2 in games started by Huntley.
Miami heat – The forecast calls for temperatures to be in the mid 50s and a chance of rain at kickoff. So there goes that December cold weather home field advantage the Browns might have thought they would have for this one.
Ford focus – Jerome Ford has been on a heater of late when it comes to explosive runs. Ford has ripped off carries of 62 and 66 yards respectively the last two games. Ford has four carries of over 35 yards this season and a 5.5 yards per carry average. Last week Ford finished with a career-high 131 combined scrimmage yards and he scored the only points against Cincinnati.
Birthday party – Myles Garrett celebrates his 29th birthday Sunday and he finds himself two sacks away from becoming the first ever – or at least since 1982 when the league began tracking sacks – to rack up 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons. Garrett became the first to reach 100 career sacks before his 29th birthday during last week’s loss to the Bengals.
Swan songs – Sunday’s game could be a home farewell for two Browns. Garrett could seek a trade in the offseason after letting it be known he wants to see the organization’s plans to win in 2025 as he has no intention of waiting for the franchise to rebuild again. Left guard and six-time Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio, who has one year left on his contract, could retire after the season.
Hope for Hopkins – Dustin Hopkins will kick Sunday despite missing his only try – a PAT last week and the addition of UFL kicker Andre Szmyt to the practice squad on Tuesday. Hopkins has made 16 of 25 field goals and 16 of 19 PATs this season.
Last Time – November 13, 2022: Dolphins 39, Browns 17
Series – Dolphins lead 10-9
Last week – Browns lost to the Bengals 24-6; Dolphins beat the 49ers 29-17
How they compare – Here’s a look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Points scored: Dolphins 20.33, Browns 16.33
Yards: Dolphins 327.9, Browns 307.2
Rushing: Dolphins 105.7, Browns 95.9
Passing: Dolphins 211.3, Browns 211.3
Points allowed: Dolphins 21.9, Browns 25.3
Yards allowed: Dolphins 312.9, Browns 339.9
Rushing yards allowed: Dolphins 102.1, Browns 127.4
Passing yards allowed: Dolphins 210.9, Browns 212.5
Turnover ratio: Dolphins -4, Browns -18
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jerry Jeudy, LT Germain Ifedi, LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE Blake Whiteheart, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, RB Jerome Ford, TE Jordan Akins, WR Elijah Moore
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Mike Hall Jr., DE Isaiah McGuire, LB Mohamoud Diabate, LB Devin Bush, CB Denzel Ward, CB Cameron Mitchell, CB MJ Emerson, S Juan Thornhill, S Rodney McLeod
Injury report – OUT: TE David Njoku (knee), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (knee), WR Cedric Tillman (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: QB Jameis Winston (shoulder)
Uniforms – Brown jersey, white pants, orange helmet
Broadcast – 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals radio network; WOIO TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 4:05 p.m. Huntington Bank Field; Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – Dolphins 20, Browns 16
