DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell joked this week that he came up with the right strategy to stop Houston Texans stud defensive end J.J. Watt.
"We have a good plan this week," Campbell said. "We are going to put all five linemen on him and shut him down and hope nobody else gets to us."
Slowing Watt will be one of the biggest keys for the Dolphins (2-3) when they return to Sun Life Stadium Sunday to host the Texans (2-4). Here are three ways they can accomplish that goal:
Double and chip: Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said opponents have done a lot of double-teaming and "chipping" Watt this season. Look for the Dolphins to implement a similar strategy.
"When you watch the film, everyone is concerned about it, so everyone is keeping tight ends, backs in to chip on them," Lazor said. "Sometimes it doesn't matter and he gets through it anyway, to be honest."
Houston's sack numbers haven't been strong. The team is tied for 24th with nine sacks this season, and Watt has four in six games. But Watt is also making plays against the run and has eight tackles for loss.
Miami has a very good blocking tight end, Dion Sims, who will help offensive tackles Branden Albert and Ja'Wuan James. The team ran more two-tight-ends sets in last week's win against the Tennessee Titans than it had all season.
"That is something we would like to live more in, is two tight [ends]," Campbell said.
Be physical: Dolphins offensive linemen said matching Watt's physicality improves their chances of slowing him down.
"You're just going to have to be physical with him," guard Dallas Thomas said. "He's going to be physical back with you and you gotta be ready for it."
Watt's physicality and nonstop motor wear down opponents. Watt also moves around on defense. So he will test multiple Dolphins linemen, and it will be up to players like Thomas, Albert and James to match that physicality throughout the game.
Run the football: Watt is best at wrecking the game when the offense becomes one-dimensional and has to pass. Then Watt can make big plays via quarterback sacks, causing fumbles and batting passes, which could lead to interceptions.
That's why Miami needs to run successfully. The team finally has some momentum on the ground after gaining a season-high 180 rushing yards on 32 attempts last weekend against the Titans. Starting running back Lamar Miller also had a season-high 113 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The Dolphins had a run-to-pass ratio of 32-to-29 last week. A similar ratio would force Watt to consistently defend the run and keep him guessing on play-action passes.
"We have to try to sell run on [Watt] so sometimes he gets caught," Dolphins guard Billy Turner explained. "You also don't want to go all the way out to him [in pass protection], so you protect yourself for inside moves and things like that. Those are things I'm looking to improve in practice."
Do not expect the Dolphins to completely change their offensive identity to slow down Watt. They want to run successfully and be efficient with the passing game no matter the opponent, but these keys will be especially important this Sunday.
"You want to be who you are and you want them to try to stop what you do, knowing that somebody like a J.J. Watt can kill you if you allow it," Campbell said. "You can still be you and try to contain a player that they possibly have. ... But you're ready for anything."