NFL Week 12: Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins preview

Can Broncos QB Peyton Manning avoid back-to-back losses against a talented Miami Dolphins defense?

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The Denver Broncos and QB Peyton Manning take on the ascending Miami Dolphins in a home matchup in Week 12 of NFL action.

Since starting the season 6-1, the Broncos have lost two of their last three to the Patriots and the Rams, knocking them down to 7-3 and putting their chances of being the No. 1 overall seed in jeopardy.  In last week’s loss to the Rams, Peyton Manning was uncharacteristically inaccurate and the Broncos were held to their lowest point total in a game since Manning signed with the team in 2012.  With three more tough road games against the Chiefs, Chargers and Bengals and both the Chiefs and Chargers jockeying for a run at the AFC West title, the Broncos need all the wins they can get to have a shot at that No. 1 seed.

The Dolphins have won four of their last five and are coming off plenty of rest after beating the Bills on Thursday Night football the week before last.  QB Ryan Tannehill appears to have finally developed into the franchise QB the Dolphins wanted when they drafted him in 2012 and are also finding success on the ground with RB Lamar Miller. But the defense has been the real story, ranked No. 4 in points allowed and No. 2 in yards allowed. That defense has allowed the Dolphins to hold five opponents to under 20 points this season – three of them under 14 points.

Prediction: Dolphins – The Dolphins are surging behind their great defense while the Broncos offense is both struggling to protect Peyton Manning and get open with their WRs.  And with TE Julius Thomas out for this game, the Broncos will be hard-pressed to make things open up.  Ultimately the Dolphins will do just enough on offense to stay just one step ahead of Denver and pull off the upset win on the road.