Dolphins-Broncos Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Dolphins can't match firepower of Cutler's BroncosMiami hosted Buffalo last week and secured a crucial AFC East win. It's safe to say the Dolphins, coming off a one-win season, already have surpassed expectations. Last year is now ancient history, and the new regime has instilled a much different attitude. A team opponents used to look forward to facing has gotten much tougher, especially in the trenches. Denver, on the other hand, was shown some mercy by the schedule after being utterly embarrassed by New England in Week 7. The Broncos have lost two in a row, but remain in the thick of the playoff race thanks to the weak AFC West.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
MIA	11-5	345	317	5-3	6-2	4-2	8-4
DEN	8-8	370	448	4-4	4-4	3-3	5-7
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Miami Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Henne 60.8 2878 12 14 Pennin... 68.9 413 1 2

Denver Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Orton 62.1 3802 21 12 Simms 29.4 23 0 1

Miami Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 241 1121 4.7 11 Brown 147 648 4.4 8

Denver Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Moreno 247 947 3.8 7 Buckha... 120 642 5.4 1

Miami Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Bess 76 758 10.0 2 Camari... 50 552 11.0 0

Denver Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Marsha... 101 1120 11.1 10 Gaffne... 54 732 13.6 2

Full Player Stats: Miami | Denver

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	MIA	346.0
	DEN	396.0
Yards Passing	MIA	227.0
	DEN	279.4
Yards Rushing	MIA	118.6
	DEN	116.4
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	MIA	329.0
	DEN	374.6
Pass Yds Allowed	MIA	227.8
	DEN	228.5
Rush Yds Allowed	MIA	101.3
	DEN	146.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Miami leads 4-1
Sep 11, 2005	MIA 34, @DEN 10
Dec 12, 2004	MIA 17, DEN 20
Oct 13, 2002	MIA 24, DEN 22
Dec 2, 2001	MIA 21, @DEN 10

The Denver Broncos had a pretty good bye week.

After getting several players healthy and managing to gain some ground in the AFC West standings without playing, the first-place Broncos look to avoid a third straight loss when they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Denver (4-3) returns to the field for the first time since being routed 41-7 by the New England Patriots on Oct. 20. After starting the season 3-0 while averaging 38.0 points, the Broncos have dropped three of their last four, scoring 14.8 points during that stretch.

Despite their recent poor play, the Broncos are still in first place in the West after the three other teams in the division all lost last weekend.

Denver comes out of the bye optimistic about the potential of the offense now that wide receiver Brandon Stokley (concussion), running back Selvin Young (groin) and tight end Tony Scheffler (groin) all could rejoin the team this week.

"Everybody's upbeat and looking forward to finishing this season off the right way," said Stokley, who has 24 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns. "We have to go out there and play good football. That's the bottom line for us."

Rookie Ryan Torain may also make his NFL debut after an elbow injury sidelined him for the first eight weeks. He could give Michael Pittman some rest as the running back continues to be bothered by a rib injury. Torain, a fifth-round draft pick out of Arizona State, had been heralded by coach Mike Shanahan during training camp.

Denver hopes getting those players back can help boost an offense that amassed a season-low 275 yards against the Patriots. Jay Cutler was 17-of-26 for 168 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss. He also smacked his finger on a helmet, but X-rays after the game were negative.

"I got lucky," said Cutler, who added it's not affecting how he throws.

The Broncos need Cutler at his best given the struggles of the defense. They've allowed more than 400 yards of offense in the last two games, including 257 rushing against the Patriots. Denver is giving up 408.9 yards per game -- third-most in the NFL.

"We've got to play better and be consistent -- do our job," said defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who had five tackles and two sacks against the Patriots in one of his best games of the season. "No more excuses, just get the job done."

Although the Dolphins (3-4) are in last place in the AFC East, Dumervil and the Broncos should know better than to overlook them after Miami surprised the division-leading Buffalo Bills 25-16 last Sunday.

The Dolphins overcame a nine-point third-quarter deficit behind a breakout game from Ted Ginn Jr., who had seven catches for 175 yards.

"He just keeps getting better and better," said Chad Pennington, who went 22-of-30 for 314 yards and one touchdown. "You can just tell in his eyes when we're talking about routes that he's just very hungry. He wants to be the guy."

Ginn was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft, but was a disappointment last season with 34 catches for 420 yards and two touchdowns. Last Sunday was the first 100-yard receiving game of his career.

Ginn provides Pennington with yet another target to work with. Pennington has passed for 1,710 yards -- ninth-most in the NFL -- and his 69.3 completion percentage is second-best in the league.

Facing the NFL's 30th-ranked rush defense, the Dolphins will also try to get Ronnie Brown going. Brown hasn't run for more than 50 yards in the last three games and has only one of his seven rushing touchdowns during that stretch.

The Dolphins have failed to break 100 yards rushing the last three games and five times this season.

"We're not where we want to be in that phase of the game," coach Tony Sparano said. "We'll clean it up."

Miami's other two wins came against the Patriots -- who are tied with the Bills atop the East -- and the Chargers. The Dolphins rushed for 216 and 167 yards, respectively, in those victories.

The Dolphins have won four of the last five meetings between these teams, and including playoffs, are 10-4-1 all-time against Denver. They won 24-10 in Miami in the last matchup in 2005.

Scouts Inc.: AFC offseason needs

You can think of this as the ultimate primer for the NFL offseason, or at least the AFC offseason: Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. breaks down all the squads in the AFC and tells you their top three needs to address, be it via the draft or free agency.

Dolphins' McDaniel out of jail following arrest

Officials say Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Tony McDaniel is out of jail after being arrested and accused of domestic violence.

Broncos' Marshall, owner Bowlen on same page

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and receiver Brandon Marshall fell onto the same page last week, both saying they'd like the two-time Pro Bowler to return next season.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Message from Dolphins' Chad Pennington: I don't Twitter

Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting. BY JEFF DARLINGTON jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com In case you were wondering, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington didn't put down a 40-ounce Porterhouse, two baked potatoes, zucchini and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for dinner last Thursday night.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth learning from veterans

After a season of learning a complex new position on the fly while hampered with a torn groin, Matt Roth watched Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland beef up an already overflowing linebacking corps.

Ronnie Brown has something to prove with Miami Dolphins this season

Ronnie Brown is a quality NFL running back. But he might have to be more than that - maybe a lot more than that - if he wants to be the featured back in the Dolphins' offense beyond the 2009 season.

Miami Dolphins' Will Allen more than mentor to young cornerbacks

One of Tony Sparano's pet expressions is that he is more concerned about getting the "right 53 players'' on the team, not necessarily the best.

Jake Long's road with Miami Dolphins just beginning

Jake Long never looked overwhelmed in 2008, at least off the field. Not around barking coaches or testing veterans at training camp.

League won't punish Marshall

Brandon Marshall Issues remain for Brandon Marshall, but he no longer has to worry about a possible NFL suspension.

Broncos' Marshall has quick trip

As the Broncos restart their passing camp today at their Dove Valley headquarters, receiver Brandon Marshall will be in Orlando, Fla., where he will continue to rehabilitate after hip surgery.

Broncos' Marshall denies ever abusing ex-girlfriend

Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall defended himself Sunday on ESPN's "Outside the Lines," which detailed seven reported incidents of domestic violence.

Scheffler on board with Broncos' plan

A year after hobbling around Dove Valley with a foot injury, tight end Tony Scheffler is part of the Broncos' passing minicamp this season.

No Bronco escaped new coach's scrutiny

The old regime brought them in for a reason. They fit in specific offensive or defensive schemes, or had attributes the organization craved.