Miami @ Cleveland - South Beach comes to the North Coast : Week 17 Preview

Miami is in much the same position that Cincinnati is in downstate, but unlike the Bengals fans who will be huge Cleveland fans Sunday night, all Saturday's game can do is eliminate one team, but, if they could, the Dolphins would like to see both the Bengals and Broncos lose Saturday afternoon. Someone will be disappointed come Sunday evening.

Miami (7-9) @ Cleveland (3-12)

Kickoff - 4:05p CBS

Line - Miami -4.5 O/u 35.5

Series - Miami leads 12-9

Last matchup - Miami 39-17 on November 13, 2022 in Miami, FL

Draft Lookahead - Defensive Line

We know that the Browns need help opposite Myles Garrett with the pass rush, they also need help along the rest of the defensive line. As we've seen from the performance this season, the guys they have simply aren't getting it done. It's doubtful that the Browns will be selecting someone other than an EDGE with their first pick UNLESS they trade far down into the first round, then it becomes plausible. Who could they take? Let's see. . .

Walter Nolan - Mississippi - Possesses good size and strength and can anchor against the run while also collapsing the pocket from inside. He'll need more pass rush moves in the NFL and he has somewhat of a reputation as a hothead and a dirty player, he'll need to tame that to succeed on Sundays.

DeMonte Capehart - Clemson - Can overwhelm interior linemen at the point of attack and holds up well against double teams. Plays with heavy hands and is able to play all along the line. When he keeps his pad level low, he can be unstoppable, when he doesn't. . .it's not great.

Deone Walker - Kentucky - Shows great playing strength and sometimes requires double teams to keep him in check, but he has a tendency to play with poor pad level, partly due to his size (6'6").

Shemar Turner - Texas A&M - Can play anywhere on the line from 0 technique to standing up and rushing the passer, converts speed to power very well, and shows good hand usage. On the downside, he relies too much on his athleticism to beat blockers and not enough on a solid strategy.

Bits and Baubles

The Browns added two void years to Deshaun Watson's contract, possibly in preparation of cutting him following the 2025 season, on Friday. With Kirk Cousins benched by the Falcons in favor of rookie Michael Penix, speculation is that the Browns would be interested in the quarterback after Atlanta cuts him to avoid a $10M roster bonus.

Tua Tagovialoa threw his 100th TD last week to Tyreek Hill in the second quarter. Longtime NFL veteran Calais Campbell reached 900 career tackles last week making him the only active defensive lineman with that many. Jonnu Smith and De'Von Achane are tied for the Dolphins lead in catches, one of six teams NOT led by a receiver.

Injury Report

Browns

Ogbo Okoronkwo - DE - OUT (Knee)

Cedrick Tillman - WR - OUT (Concussion)

David Njoku - TE - OUT (Knee)

Shelby Harris - DT - OUT/IR (Elbow)

Jameis Winston - QB - Questionable (Shoulder)

Dolphins

Kendall Fuller - CB - OUT (Knee)

Anthony Walker Jr. - LB - OUT (Knee)

Bradley Chubb - LB - OUT/IR (Knee)

Jaylen Waddle - WR - Questionable (Knee)

Tua Tagovialoa - QB - Questionable (Hip)

Tyreek Hill - WR - Questionable (Wrist)

Prediction

Dolphins 27-20