(Sports Network) – Miami’s plan is to support quarterback Matt Moore (568 passing yards, 1 TD, 3 INT), who’s coming off a pretty solid effort against the Broncos that followed a very shaky performance in a Week 6 loss to the Jets in this stadium, with a productive running game. The Dolphins have two capable backs in physical rookie Daniel Thomas (302 rushing yards, 7 receptions, 1 TD) and versatile veteran Reggie Bush (232 rushing yards, 17 receptions, 1 TD), with the tandem averaging a respectable 114.2 yards per game between them on the year. Thomas has been battling a nagging hamstring injury as of late, though, and managed a pedestrian 53 yards on 19 carries in last weekend’s defeat. Moore made good on 22-of-33 pass attempts for 197 yards and had no interceptions versus Denver, while connecting with tight end Anthony Fasano (10 receptions, 1 TD) on a fourth-quarter touchdown strike, but the Dolphins managed just 267 total yards and the offense often sputtered inside the red zone, settling for Dan Carpenter field goals on two of three trips within the Broncos’ 20-yard line. Inefficiency has plagued Miami all throughout the season, with the team scoring touchdowns on only 33 percent of its red-zone possessions (30th overall) and ranking dead last in third-down conversions (23.7 percent). A lack of big plays has been another problem, with top receivers Brandon Marshall (34 receptions, 483 yards, 1 TD) and Davone Bess (24 receptions) having been utilized mainly as possession types.
The Dolphins may have some opportunities for sizeable gains against a Giants defense that was burned for two long touchdowns, an 80-yard run and a 60-yard pass, against Buffalo in Week 6. The unit has come up with a few difference- making moments, however, as New York is tied for the league lead with 21 sacks and has forced 10 turnovers — including seven interceptions — over its last four tests. The pass rush should be even more formidable now that Tuck (6 tackles, 1.5 sacks), who’s amassed double-digit sack totals in three of the past four seasons, appears finally over groin and neck injuries that have limited him to just two games thus far. The All-Pro end rejoins a high-caliber line that contains two other feared disrupters in Osi Umenyiora (10 tackles, 5 sacks) and second-year standout Jason Pierre-Paul (30 tackles, 7.5 sacks), while cornerback Corey Webster (22 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PD) is the club’s top cover man who picked off the Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick twice two weeks ago and will likely be asked to shadow the talented Marshall. The Giants have been susceptible to good running attacks, ranking 27th in the league in rushing defense (127.7 ypg) and permitting over 150 yards per game on the ground over their last four outings.