Miami Dolphins: 3 Bold predictions vs. Raiders in Week 9

3. Miami passes early and often

When the Miami Dolphins were at their best last season, they were a team that featured a balanced attack. They could run it down your throat and use the run to set up the pass. This season has, up to this point, reinforced that notion. The offense has been stuck in the mud for the majority of the season. However, in each of the Dolphins four wins, Jay Ajayi ran the ball more than 20 times. That kind of balanced attack is exactly what the Dolphins need more of if they’re going to turn the season around.

However, that hasn’t been the story this season. Even with those four games, the Dolphins are still one of 10 teams in the league throwing the ball more than 60 percent of their plays. Now that Ajayi has been traded to the Eagles and Miami is left with the likes of Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams in the backfield, I don’t see that play balance changing.

On the contrary, it’s likely going to get even more unbalanced. Both Williams and Drake add a dimension to the offense that Ajayi didn’t, in that both can catch the ball out of the backfield. Though both have had limited opportunity to do so, they’ve exhibited the ability when asked. Those opportunities should be more plentiful this Sunday.

Head coach Adam Gase hasn’t been happy with his passing game all season, and with the Raiders reeling from injuries coming into Sunday night’s game, I expect him to demand a lot from them. Starting with the new backfield duo. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of a 70/30 pass/run split when all is said and done.