Four keys for the Dolphins against the Chiefs

Kansas City is the better and more experienced team. Miami is young and facing Patrick Mahomes one week after dealing with San Francisco. It does not get much tougher than that.

If the Dolphins are going to make this competitive Sunday, these are my four biggest keys.

1. Stop Walker and win first down

For me, this is the biggest one. Kenneth Walker leads the NFL with 290 rushing yards and has already forced 29 missed tackles. Miami has to tackle the guy. The first defender has to get him down or at least slow him up until help arrives.

Jordan Phillips also has to be better against Creed Humphrey. I always say a draw against a player like Humphrey is a win. Phillips does not have to dominate him. Just hold your ground and keep him from immediately reaching the second level. That keeps Jordyn Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez cleaner and allows them to attack downhill without having to fight through as much traffic.

2. Keep Willis out of third-and-long

Steve Spagnuolo wants Malik Willis in obvious passing situations. That is when Kansas City can attack the B-gaps, run stunts and disguise where the pressure is coming from.

Miami has to stay with De’Von Achane and get Malik started with some quick completions. If the middle opens on third-and-4, use your legs and take the first down. Do not hold the football waiting for something bigger.

With Caleb Douglas out, Chris Bell will have a bigger role. I also want to see Kevin Coleman Jr. get some opportunities from the slot. The Dolphins need to reach 60 offensive plays, avoid the penalties that kill drives and score touchdowns when they reach the red zone.

3. Find pressure and clean up the communication

Getting Chop Robinson back helps, but Miami still has to find different ways to pressure Mahomes. Kansas City’s best offensive linemen are inside with Humphrey and Trey Smith. With Josh Simmons out, I would test the tackles. Move Chop around, overload one side and mix in some five-man pressures.

Kahlil Benson has been good in the running game, but he has allowed four hurries and two quarterback hits in pass protection. Make the young left tackle work through different looks.

The coverage behind that pressure has to be better too. Miami had too many communication breakdowns last week. Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton have the speed to turn one mistake into a touchdown.

I think Chris Johnson is Miami’s best speed matchup for Worthy. Johnson, Michael Taaffe, Dante Trader and the rest of the secondary have to know where the help is coming from and keep that speed in front of them.

4. Win the possession battle

Miami cannot waste possessions against Kansas City. Protect the football, cover kicks and punts and do not give Mahomes a short field. If the defense gets an opportunity for an interception, finish the play. An almost-turnover does nothing.

The Dolphins also cannot settle for field goals after putting together a good drive. They need touchdowns in the red zone. Steal one possession, flip the field on special teams and turn a scoring opportunity into seven points. That is how Miami can keep this game close into the fourth quarter.

For a deeper breakdown of the matchups, injuries and Miami’s path against Kansas City, watch our complete Dolphins-Chiefs preview below.