We start Week Four of the NFL season in London again and it didn’t work out too well last week. The New Orleans Saints (1-2), coming off their first win of the season, face off against the Miami Dolphins (1-1), who are entering this game after their first loss.
The game is on FOX at 9:30 a.m. EST.
The Game: New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins (+3)
O/U: 50.5
The History
Since 1970 the two teams have only played 11 games. The Dolphins hold a 6-5 edge in the all time series.
Their last game was on September, 30, 2013, almost four years to the day of Sunday’s game. Drew Brees out-dueled Ryan Tannehill in a 38-17 New Orleans win. Brees completed 30 of 39 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns.
The last time the Dolphins beat the Saints was October, 30, 2005. It was another classic Gus Frerotte vs Aaron Brooks quarterback battle where neither guy passed for more than 182 yards and produced one touchdown, two interceptions and a safety between them. Miami won 21-6.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-2)
The Saints finally got a “W” on the board with a solid effort against NFC South rival Carolina last Sunday. With their defense forcing five turnovers, all from Cam Newton, Drew Brees didn’t have to do a lot passing the ball. Still, pass he did, finishing 22 of 29 for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
With the lead, the Saints were finally able to roll with the running game. Mark Ingram led the way with 14 carries for 56 yards. Rookie Alvin Kamara scored the only rushing touchdown and Adrian Peterson probably stomped around the sidelines pissed off again after just getting nine carries for 33 yards. If you picked AP in your fantasy league, I hope you got him late.
The defense will have a completely different monster pointed at them in London Sunday morning. While the Panthers are a run-first team, the Dolphins (presumably) can do it all. New Orleans will need to produce plenty of heat from a pass rush with Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor and make the most of any Miami mistakes.
On offense, this could be the game where Ingram, Peterson and Kamara really get uncorked. The Saints will want to keep the Dolphins’ rush off Brees and try to control the clock. The more opportunities Miami gets with the ball, the likelier this becomes a shootout and New Orleans does not want that.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-1)
Losing is one thing, but losing to the New York Jets is an entirely new monster. Miami wasn’t even in last week’s game from the second quarter on and only scored their lone touchdown in garbage time to save a 20-o shutout. It was a bad scene, man.
Running back Jay Ajayi was held to just 16 yards on 11 carries and showed up on this week’s injury report with a knee injury. He didn’t practice Wednesday, but barring something spectacular happening, I still see him suiting up for Sunday’s game.
As good as Jay Cutler looked running Adam Gase’s offense in Week Two, he did next to nothing in Week Three. He was 22 of 44 for 220 yards, one touchdown and one pick. He did spread the ball around to eight different receivers, for whatever good it did. Nine if you count the guy that picked him off.
For the Dolphins to bounce back, they’ll need a significantly improved performance from their defense. Against a suspect Jets line and the statue of Josh McCown in the backfield, Miami mustered just two sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss. Ndamukong Suh was completely handled, recording only seven tackles and none of them in the backfield.
The Pick
The Londoners got to see a blowout last week and I think they’re in for a shootout Sunday. Drew Brees, with his running backs and weapons, should be able to move the ball consistently against Miami’s defense. Adam Gase can come up with a gameplan to carve up this Saints defense. I don’t buy that they improved in a week. I think the Panthers were just that bad. Dolphins 34, Saints 31
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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