Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (1-5) and Cleveland Browns (1-5) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 7 game at Huntington Bank Field (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: The Miami run game got back on track in last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Running back De’Von Achane had 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the team rushed for 137 yards and a 6.5 average. Achane broke off a 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and it was the only touchdown for the offense through three periods.
The Dolphins’ inconsistent run game ranks 27th in the NFL, but when it’s going, it can be tough to stop. Miami hopes for rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea to come along, while Cole Strange and Larry Borom continue to start as replacements on the right side of the line. Center Aaron Brewer played through a pectoral injury against the Chargers and is still nursing it.
The Browns have the No. 3 run defense. Defensive end Myles Garrett is, of course, the headliner on a stout defensive line that also has rookie first-round pick Mason Graham at defensive tackle. Standout linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, so Carson Schwesinger and Flanagan High product Devin Bush Jr. have been there at linebacker for this unit. Edge: Browns
When the Browns run: The Dolphins’ dead-last run defense did it again, allowing a reserve running back to rush for more than 100 yards in a game. After Rico Dowdle of the Panthers, it was Kimani Vidal of the Chargers going for 124 yards on 18 attempts. Miami continues to have poor run fits, and the young defensive line is putting a burden on veteran Zach Sieler up front. K.J. Britt filled in admirably for Tyrel Dodson with a team-leading 13 tackles, and Dodson should be back from concussion protocol this Sunday.
Could this be the week the Dolphins turn it around in run defense? The Browns are the No. 28 rushing offense, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. The Cleveland offensive line has three former Pro Bowl or All-Pro blockers in left guard Joel Bitonio, right guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Jack Conklin. Rookie Quinshon Judkins was held to 36 yards on 12 carries last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. The Dolphins’ run defense has to prove it before receiving any stamp of approval, especially against such a savvy offensive line. Edge: Browns
When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has tried to turn the page on what he acknowledged was a mistake in calling out teammates for being late to player-led meetings that are aside from requirements made by the coaching staff. Tagovailoa, after an uneven first three quarters, did lead a pair of touchdown drives, throwing a go-ahead touchdown to tight end Darren Waller against the Chargers before the defense gave up the lead. He’s coming off a three-interception performance, though, with one in the midst of a key 14-point swing early in the second half.
One of those picks was on the final play in a last-ditch effort to run a play involving laterals with five seconds left. The first one got to Jaylen Waddle before he bobbled it and volleyed it to a Chargers defender. Waddle’s numbers are fine since Tyreek Hill went down for the Dolphins, but he can’t have miscues like that in being a true No. 1 wide receiver. Tagovailoa also needs to get back to targeting Waller against a Browns secondary that has four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, just traded with the Jaguars for Tyson Campbell and has Grant Delpit at safety.
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That Cleveland pass defense is No. 7 in the league. The disruption that Garrett can produce on the pass rush is the biggest factor. Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul will primarily have that assignment, and will try to show Garrett how much he’s improved since they met late last season. But Garrett can also move around, and as Miami may try to allocate more resources to blocking him, they have to watch out for Graham, fellow defensive tackle Maliek Collins and defensive end Alex Wright. Edge: Browns
When the Browns pass: Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has lost his two starts, completing 57.3 percent of passes for 430 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has cut back on his blitzing of late, but he may decide to start it back up against the inexperienced quarterback.
Gabriel, despite the quality experience on his offensive line, was sacked six times and hit a whopping 16 times against Pittsburgh. There should be opportunities for edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb to break through for shots on Gabriel. Phillips will be motivated after missing the sack on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on his game-changing pass to Ladd McConkey. Rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant did pick up the first full sack of his career on Herbert last week.
The other part of the Herbert-to-McConkey catch and run that went awry was rookie safety Dante Trader’s missed tackle in the open field. He’s getting snaps on defense as starting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is put in position to play the nickel. Rasul Douglas has been solid at one boundary cornerback, and Ethan Bonner started rotating with Jack Jones last week. Storm Duck also could be tracking toward a return. The Miami secondary must account for two tight ends in Harold Fannin and David Njoku, along with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Edge: Dolphins
Special teams: Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson, who is still in for Jason Sanders, missed his first field goal with the team, but it was from beyond 50 yards. Browns kicker Andre Szmyt has missed three kicks this year. Miami punter Jake Bailey has also been better than Cleveland’s Corey Bojorquez, who has punted more than anyone else in the league this season.
Miami has also been solid in the return game with Malik Washington. Defending kickoffs, they appeared to find something when they tried a “dirty ball” successfully, but the Dolphins went back to a regular kickoff when they gave up the big return that led to the winning drive. Edge: Dolphins
Intangibles: The Dolphins have been close in four of their five losses while the Browns have been beaten by multiple scores regularly. These 1-5 records are not equal. Cleveland is at home, and there’s a chance of some rain in the forecast, though. Regardless, if this Miami team can’t even beat the Browns, this season and locker room might truly be lost for coach Mike McDaniel. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 20, Browns 19
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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/16/who-has-the-edge-dolphins-at-browns-in-battle-of-1-5-teams/
