Focal Point

ALSO SEE
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Hoge's quick look at second round

Dolphins (10-7) at Jaguars (14-2)

Salisbury's breakdown: Dolphins-Jaguars

AFC: Forgotten favorites

Jags go to Taylor-made attack

Jags' Brunell a game-day decision

Putting the 'D' back in Dolphins

Baxter Bits: Dolphins (10-7) at Jaguars (14-2)

Grounded approach works for Miami

Jags' Boselli out with ACL tear


Focal Point: Thomas vs. Taylor

The Matchup:
LB Zach Thomas and the Dolphins' run defense vs. Jaguars RB Fred Taylor.

The Game:
Dolphins at Jaguars, Saturday, 12:35 p.m. ET, CBS.

The Question:
Who will get the better of Saturday's matchup?

Dolphins' run defense   Fred Taylor
 
By Mike Golic
Special to ESPN.com

One way Zach Thomas will get the better of a matchup against Fred Taylor is if Jacksonville's interior offensive line is unable to get out and block him.

Curtis Martin and the Jets had big days against the Dolphins defense because center Kevin Mawae got off the defensive lineman and out to get Thomas. Between their center and two guards, the Jaguars must handle Daryl Gardener, Tim Bowens and Thomas. If no one can get Thomas, he is one of the best linebackers in the league at moving from side to side to make plays all over the field.

The Jaguars' rushing yards will have to come on the outside. They will run at Miami's smaller defensive ends. That means Thomas will have to pursue to the outside. If the Jaguars cannot get to Thomas' legs to tangle him up, he can get outside as fast as Taylor can and make some plays.

By Mark Malone
Special to ESPN.com

Zach Thomas' success on the Dolphins defense is directly correlated to the way the defensive line plays, especially the tackles. If they can keep people off him, Thomas can wreak havoc. However, Fred Taylor can make things happen on his own.

Taylor, a rare combination of power and speed, has a quality that most running backs in the league don't have. The Jaguars back can start downhill, looking like he will hit the guard-center gap, but then cut all the way back and bounce outside.

It's difficult for any back to run outside against Miami because the Dolphins defense -- Thomas included -- runs so well. But even if Thomas reads a play, beats blockers to the point of attack and commits himself to the gap, Taylor has the speed and ability to turn something negative inside into a big play outside.




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