26-year old RB Reggie Bush always wanted to be a featured RB in an offense.  It just wasn’t going to happen in New Orleans.  The Dolphins though have given him the chance to prove himself as a runner this year and he has been surprisingly productive.  Bush has played in 11 games for the Dolphins so far this year and he has carried the ball 133 times for 567 yards (14 short of his career high) (4.3 ypc) with 4 TD runs.  He has also caught 35 passes for 237 yards (6.8 avg) with 1 TD grab so far this year.  Bush has now played in 71 games in his first six years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 657 times for 2,657 yards (4.0 ypc) with 21 TD runs.  He has also caught 329 passes for 2,379 yards (7.2 avg) with 13 TD grabs in his career.  Bush has a lot of tread left on the tires, so he could be solid for the Fins for a while.

The Miami Dolphins have waived 29-year old DE Igor Olshansky and 33-year old kicker Shayne Graham.  Olshansky played in 8 games for the Dolphins this year and he had 7 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 forced fumbles.  Other players have stepped up at DE and have bumped Olshansky off the roster.  Shayne Graham played in 2 games for the Fins and he made 4 of 5 field goals (80%).  He also made six of six extra points as he had 18 points for the Dolphins.  Dan Carpenter is ready to return to action after missing the last couple of games with a groin injury, which led to Graham’s release.

This was a devastating loss for the Dolphins as they outplayed the Cowboys for 57 minutes yesterday.  The Cowboys put together a 10 play, 54 yard drive to set up a Dan Bailey 28-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Fins.  Matt Moore had another really solid game as he completed 19 of 32 passes for 288 yards with 1 TD pass and o INTs.  Reggie Bush led the way on the ground for the Fins yesterday with 61 yards rushing on 16 carries (3.8 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 35 yards (11.7 avg) in this game.  Donald Thomas pitched in with 25 yards rushing on 6 carries (4.2 ypc) in this game.  WRs Brandon Marshall (5 rec, 103 yards, TD) and Brian Hartline (4 rec, 77 yards) led the way for the Fins in the passing game.  The Dolphins finished up with 89 yards rushing on 25 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 19 of 32 passes (59.4%) for 263 yards as they had possession of the ball for 31:28.

The defense was outstanding until the Cowboys last drive of the game yesterday.  LB Kevin Burnett led the way for the Dolphins yesterday on D with 12 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.  CB Vontae Davis (5 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 interception), OLB Cameron Wake (4 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and 2 QB hits) and CB Sean Smith (2 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interceptions) also helped out in this game.  The Cowboys finished up with 85 yards rushing on 23 carries (3.7 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 34 passes (64.7%) for 218 yards in this game.  The Dolphins are now 3-8 on the year.

The Dolphins and Cowboys are both red hot right now, so this should be quite a battle later today in Texas.  The Dolphins have won three games in a row by a combined score of 86-20!  The Cowboys in the meantime have also won three games in a row by a combined score of 94-44, so something has to give.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Dolphins have the ball:  The Dolphins have been really balanced on offense lately and that is the reason for the success.  They will try to continue that today against the Cowboys.  With that in mind, look for Reggie Bush and Donald Thomas to have a heavy workload against a Cowboys’ D that is giving up 101.4 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry so far this year.  Running the ball early in the game will slow the pass rush a little bit and buy Matt Moore time to throw the ball.  The O-Line will have to keep OLB DeMarcus Ware (14 sacks) away from Moore, but that will be easier said than done.  Moore might have to get rid of the ball quick and let Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Anthony Fasano make plays after the catch.

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Dolphins are going to have to make a concerted effort to stop rookie RB DeMarco Murray, who has been excellent for the Cowboys this year as he is averaging a stunning 6.0 yards per carry so far.  The Dolphins are also going to have to get after Tony Romo.  If Romo has time to throw the ball, the Dolphins are in some trouble.  Jason Witten, Laurent Robinson and Dez Bryant are an impressive trio of receivers for the Cowboys.

PREDICTION:  COWBOYS 23, DOLPHINS 20

27-year old QB Matt Moore has been outstanding lately for the Dolphins.  In his last three games, Moore has completed 51 of 72 passes (70.8%) for 613 yards with 6 TD passes and 1 INT.  The Dolphins have scored 86 points in their last three games due in great part to the play of Moore.  Moore has now played in 7 games for the Dolphins so far this year and he has completed 119 of 187 passes (63.6%) for 1,319 yards with 7 TD passes and 5 INTs (85.8 QB Rating).  Moore has also carried the ball 17 times for 48 yards (2.8 ypc) with 1 TD run so far this year for the Dolphins.  Moore might actually play himself into a nice future with the Dolphins if he finishes up this season strongly.

The Dolphins ran up a 28-6 lead at the half and cruised to a very easy victory in the 3rd and 4th quarters.  Matt Moore was very precise yesterday as he completed 14 of 20 passes for 160 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Daniel Thomas led the way on the ground for the Dolphins with 50 yards on 15 carries (3.3 ypc), but he was also tackled in the end zone for a safety by Bills’ LB Kelvin Sheppard.  Reggie Bush pitched in with 32 yards rushing on 15 carries (2.1 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 4 passes for 34 yards (8.5 avg) in this game.  Rookie FB/TE Charles Clay (4 rec, 69 yards), WR Davone Bess (2 rec, 25 yards) and TE Anthony Fasano (2 rec, 8 yards) each caught 1 TD apiece in this game.  The Dolphins also scored when RB Lex Hilliard recovered a blocked punt in the Bills’ end zone for a TD.  The Dolphins finished up with 95 yards rushing on 35 carries (2.7 ypc) and they completed 14 of 20 passes for 147 yards as they had possession of the ball for 31:06.

The defense was awesome for the Fins yesterday.  CB Will Allen (5 tackles) and safety Reshad Jones (5 tackles and 1 pass defensed) led the way for the Fins’ D in this game.  Safety Yeremiah Bell (4 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 interception) and CB Nolan Carroll (4 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) also had solid games for the Dolphins yesterday.  The Bills finished up with 41 yards rushing on 19 carries (2.2 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 44 passes (47.7%) for 206 yards.  The Dolphins are now 3-7 on the year.

The Dolphins have signed 34-year old kicker Shayne Graham.  Graham will be replacing Dan Carpenter who will miss the game tomorrow with a groin injury.  Graham played in 9 games for the Giants & Patriots last year and he connected on all 12 of his field goal attempts last year and he was 39 of 41 on extra points, good for 75 points.  He has now played in 136 games in his first 10 years in the NFL and he has made 208 of 242 field goals (86%).  He has also made 315 of 320 extra points in his career as he has 939 points scored.  He should be able to do a decent job while Carpenter gets better.  Carpenter has played in 9 games for the Dolphins so far this year and he has connected on 18 of 22 field goals (81.8%).  He is also 14 of 14 on extra points this year as he has scored 68 points for the Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins have won two games in a row by a combined score of 51-12!  The Bills have lost their last two games by a combined score of 71-18!  Something has to give this weekend and here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Dolphins have the ball:  The Dolphins have become a run first team as of late.  Look for them to feed the ball to Reggie Bush and Donald Thomas early in the game.  Matt Moore will benefit if the Dolphins run the ball well, as it will slow the already weak pass rush of the Bills.  Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess and Brian Hartline are all likely go have solid games this weekend for the Dolphins.  Maybe even TE Anthony Fasano against a Bills’ D that is allowing 261.4 yards passing per game so far this year.

When the Bills have the ball:  The Bills are likely going to come out with a balanced offense.  Fred Jackson is a great runner and receiver, so the front seven of the Dolphins are going to be under heavy pressure in dealing with him.  Ryan Fitzpatrick started this season like a ball of fire, but ever since he signed his big contract extension, he has been lousy.  Still, WRs Steve Johnson, David Nelson and TE Scott Chandler are decent weapons.

PREDICTION:  DOLPHINS 21, BILLS 17

30-year old linebacker Karlos Dansby is playing really solid football for the Dolphins so far in 2011.  He has played in 9 games for the Dolphins so far this year and he has 62 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed and 5 tackles for a loss.  Dansby has now played in 23 games in his first two years with the Dolphins and he has 157 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 7 passes defensed and 1 interception.  The Dolphins need Dansby to keep up the good work the rest of the season.

The Miami Dolphins had a solid game on both sides of the ball and they now are owners of a two game winning streak in which they have not allowed a TD!  Matt Moore was efficient once again as he completed 20 of 29 passes for 209 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 14 yards (7.0 ypc) in this game.  Reggie Bush led the way on the ground in this game for the Dolphins with 47 yards rushing on 14 carries (3.4 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also caught 4 passes for 4 yards (1.0 avg) in this game.  Donald Thomas pitched in with 42 yards rushing on 17 carries (2.5 ypc).  WR Brandon Marshall (7 rec, 98 yards), TE Anthony Fasano (3 rec, 60 yards) and WR Davone Bess (4 rec, 37 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Dolphins yesterday.  The Dolphins finished up with 103 yards rushing on 33 carries (3.1 ypc) and they also completed 20 of 29 passes (69%) for 200 yards as they had possession of the ball for 33:33.

The defense was incredible once again for the Dolphins.  LB Karlos Dansby led the way for the Dolphins in this game with 10 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 passes defensed, 1 QB hit and 1 interception.  LB Kevin Burnett (7 tackles and 1 pass defensed) and CB Vontae Davis (4 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) also pitched in for the Dolphins in this game.  The Redskins finished up with 61 yards rushing on 17 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 32 passes (65.6%) for 185 yards.  The Dolphins are now 2-7 on the season as they have looked pretty solid the last few weeks.