Browns vs. Dolphins: 5 matchups to watch on Sunday

Just under two years ago, the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins were both 11-win Wild Card playoff teams.

Now, less than 25 games removed from those playoff appearances, both teams enter Sunday's game with 1-5 records. If both teams' seasons aren't over already, the loser of this weekend's matchup will be practically eliminated from playoff contention at 1-6 in October.

The Browns are entering this game coming off of their ugliest offensive performance of the season in a 23-9 loss to the Steelers, while the Dolphins have lost their last two games on scores within the final two minutes of regulation. The vibes are getting worse for both teams as the season progresses, but at least the winning team on Sunday can prevent those vibes from getting worse for another week.

Here are five matchups to watch when the Dolphins come to town on Sunday.

Kevin Stefanski vs. Mike McDaniel

Stefanski and McDaniel will face off as head coaches for the third time on Sunday. With how the season has gone for both teams so far, there's a chance that both of these coaches are coaching for their jobs in this game.

McDaniel came into the season with what was essentially a playoffs-or-bust ultimatum from Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, and a 1-6 start practically ends the possibility of that outcome. Stefanski, meanwhile, boasts a 4-19 record as a head coach since the Browns' Wild Card loss to Houston last January. Both teams, led by head coaches that come from offensive backgrounds, rank within the bottom six of the NFL in offensive success rate this season, per Sumer Sports.

McDaniel's team took the first two matchups in commanding fashion, winning 39-17 and 20-3 blowouts in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

Browns run game vs. Dolphins defensive front

The Browns have struggled on offense this season, sure, but the Dolphins' defense presents a big opportunity for a breakout performance on the ground from Cleveland.

Miami ranks dead-last in the NFL this season in rushing yards allowed (1,011) and rushing EPA per play allowed (+0.11), per Next Gen Stats. The Dolphins are also third-worst in the league in rushing yards per play (5.6) allowed. They're getting no push against opposing offensive lines, allowing a league-worst 2.57 rushing yards before contact per attempt.

If the Browns are going to run the football at a consistent rate against any opponent, it'll come this Sunday. While the Browns' 0.01 yards before contact per rush attempt ranks 32nd in the NFL, their 3.85 yards after contact per rush attempt is the second-best mark in the league this season, according to Next Gen Stats. Quinshon Judkins will have the chance to bounce back from the season-low 36 rushing yards he recorded against the Steelers in Week 6.

Myles Garrett vs. Patrick Paul

Garrett has had a quiet October. Over the Browns' last two games, losses to the Vikings and Steelers, Cleveland's star pass-rusher has recorded just three pressures and no sacks, per Pro Football Focus.

The Browns will need to get pressure on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday. Tagovailoa has been kept relatively clean this season, ranking 36th of 41 quarterbacks who have taken 15+ snaps this season in pressure rate, per PFF. Under pressure, however, he's completing barely 50 percent of his passes, has nearly as many turnover-worthy plays (3) as touchdowns (4), and has taken 13 sacks.

Cleveland's ability to get consistent pressure always starts with Garrett, and he'll face Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul plenty on Sunday. Paul has allowed seven pressures and two sacks this season, per PFF.

Harold Fannin Jr. vs. Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson

The Browns' third-round pick from Bowling Green has had an impressive rookie campaign so far, and he's in line to get the first start of his NFL career with David Njoku out this weekend.

Fannin has feasted in his matchups against linebackers in coverage this season. He's caught 12 of 15 targets for 91 yards and his only touchdown against inside linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.

The Dolphins' linebackers have struggled in coverage this season. Take your pick: opposing quarterbacks are 21-of-25 for 222 yards and a touchdown when targeting Dodson, and 24-of-29 for 220 yards when targeting Brooks. Dodson has also missed nearly 21% of his tackles after the catch this season, while Fannin is tied for second in the NFL with 11 missed tackles forced after the catch, per PFF.

Tyson Campbell vs. Jaylen Waddle

Jim Schwartz asked a lot of Campbell in his Browns debut last Sunday. Campbell stuck with the Steelers' top receiver, D.K. Metcalf, for most of the game, and allowed three catches for 70 yards on six targets against Metcalf.

While Waddle has stepped into the No. 1 role for Miami in the aftermath of the gruesome knee injury suffered by Tyreek Hill in Week 4, he's a much different receiver than Metcalf is. Campbell, measuring in at 6-foot-1, 195 lbs, was outmatched against the 6-foot-4, 229-lb Metcalf, but has a size advantage over Waddle (5-foot-10, 185-lbs.)

Waddle has been productive over the last two games, recording 12 combined catches for 205 yards and a touchdown in losses to the Panthers and Chargers.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns vs. Dolphins: 5 matchups to watch on Sunday