Jaworski on the Dolphins

The Dolphins offense has outscored their opponents 83-3 in the third quarter. So if they jump ahead early, chances are they will sew it up in the second half.

Five keys for the Dolphins:
1. Continue solid defensive play. Miami's secondary has played very well but Peyton Manning can get to them with the weapons he has. The defense, particularly in the backfield, must continue to play well.

2. Get quick pressure on Manning. Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong are playing terrific. They need to continue that by making Manning get rid of the football before he wants to.

3. Get consistent play from the quarterback. Whether it's going to be Jay Fiedler or Damon Huard, they have to get steady play from the quarterback. Fiedler had his first horrible game last week but whoever is taking snaps doesn't need to win the game, just be efficient.

4. Move the ball efficiently. Nobody runs more than the Miami Dolphins. They run almost 55 percent of the time. They like to pound the ball, and they've done pretty well. But the Colts' defense is based on confusion and deception. The offensive line not only has to be physically dominating, but mentally sharp as well.

5. Points from the passing game. It will be great if Miami has Lamar Smith and the running game cranking, but they're going to have to throw the ball to get points. Chan Gailey has done a good job in the design of the passing game. Someone is almost always going deep. If the opportunity presents itself, they must take advantage of it.

Salisbury on the Colts

The Colts are in danger of missing the playoffs with a team that many thought was ready for the Super Bowl. The Dolphins are feeling pretty good about themselves right now. This is a bad time for the Colts to run across their path.

Five keys for the Colts:
1. Control defensive ends. If Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong are forcing Peyton Manning to get rid of the ball too quickly and taking him out of his rhythm the Colts will be in trouble. Much like St. Louis, the Indianapolis offense gets better if they can find the right tempo early. Miami's great defensive ends can't be allowed to disrupt that rhythm.

2. Involve Edgerrin James. James has to get 25 to 30 touches. Whether it's passes or handoffs doesn't matter much. He makes this offense work, like Marshall Faulk and Robert Smith make their teams work. They can't allow themselves to get behind and have to abandon James in an effort to catch up quickly.

3. Stop the run. The reason Indianapolis is probably not going to make the playoffs is their team gets pushed around. They let the Raiders come back and beat them. There was a late interception in the last game against the Dolphins. Miami will pound the ball and Indianapolis has to stand up to them if they have any hope of landing in the playoffs.

4. Marvin Harrison has to break loose. Harrison hasn't been the same player in the second half of this season. Whether that's a result of more attention or less focus is unclear. Regardless, he will be locked up with Sam Madison, perhaps the best cover corner in the NFL. He needs three or four "chunk plays" if the Colts hope to win. They will see a lot of man coverage and they'll have to take advantage of it.

5. Force Miami into big plays. If the Colts can score 24 points in this game they can beat the Dolphins. Miami is a grind it out offense. The Dolphins are not explosive. If they are in a situation where they have to play catch up, Indy is in good shape.