Can the Dolphins Shut Down Aaron Rodgers?

Can the Dolphins Shut Down Aaron Rodgers?

The Miami Dolphins find themselves at 6-7 after clawing their way back from a 1-6 start, but their playoff hopes remain precarious. According to playoffstatus.com, they enter the final stretch of the season with less than a 1% percentage chance to make the postseason. Insert clip of Jim Carrey saying “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!” here.

With so many things needing to break their way, it’s somewhat pointless to be concerned about anything more than the game ahead of them. This week, they head to Pittsburgh to face off with the 7-6 Steelers. The Dolphins might have caught a break with star pass rusher T. J. Watt being hospitalized with discomfort in his lung after receiving treatment at the team’s facility. Obviously, that’s terrible luck for Watt, and I wouldn’t have wished that to happen coming into the week, and it is now reported he will miss the game on Monday. 

On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers has always been a thorn in the side of the Dolphins. He’s 4-2 in his career against Miami with 1,627 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Even in his two losses, he put up impressive stats in his first career start against Miami back in 2010; he threw for 313 yards, a TD, and a pick. Then just last year, he put up a great fight in the Dolphins’ come-from-behind overtime victory with a stat line of 339 yards, 1 TD, and no interceptions. 

Rodgers has had a solid statistical season thus far for the Steelers, with 2,370 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, for a 96.2 rating. However, he has also looked his age at times, as he was the oldest player in the NFL at 42 until the 44-year-old Philip Rivers unretired earlier this week to play for the Colts. He suffered a fractured wrist in the Steelers’ 34-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in mid-November, forcing him to miss the team’s 31-28 loss to the Bears in week 11. 

When he returned in week 12 against the Buffalo Bills, he still didn’t look like himself, going 10-21 for 117 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in what would end up being a 26-7 loss. Last week, he looked more like classic Rodgers as the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-22. Rodgers went 23-34 for 284 yards and a touchdown to help Pittsburgh reclaim the AFC North lead. 

For Miami’s part, their defense has looked much improved during their current winning streak. They held the potent Bills offense to 13 points, the same as the Commanders, then only let up 17 points to the Saints. Last week against the New York Jets they had what was probably their best defensive effort of the season, with Tyrod Taylor knocked out early the Dolphins had rookie quarterback Brady Cook in hell, going 14-30 for 163 yards and two interceptions.

They also added six sacks, with Zach Sieler notching 2.5 himself. The match up between Anthony Weaver’s unit and Aaron Rodgers should prove entertaining, if Miami can limit Rodgers and control the time of possession I expect them to walk away with a hard fought victory. If not, then come back next week for some NFL draft speculation. 

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