National Football League

Dolphins-Giants Preview

Published Oct. 30, 2011 12:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

With the Miami Dolphins off to their worst start in four seasons, the topic of coach Tony Sparano's job security has dominated the headlines.

Things aren't about to get any easier with Sunday's road matchup against the NFC East-leading New York Giants, who are about to get a whole lot stronger with several big-name players returning from injury.

After leading 15-0 late last Sunday against Denver, Miami (0-6) looked headed for its first victory of the season. Tim Tebow, though, threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:44 of regulation before Matt Prater's 52-yard field goal in overtime gave the Broncos an 18-15 victory - handing the Dolphins their NFL-worst ninth straight loss dating to last season.

Miami, which lost its first 13 games en route to going 1-15 in 2007, became the first team since at least 1983 to blow a lead of more than 14 points with three minutes remaining.

"At this point in time, with where we are, you find out about the real mettle of the guys in that locker room," said Sparano, who - during Sunday's collapse - was caught on camera telling the referees that he could be fired.

While Sparano remains on the hot seat, he does not deserve all of the blame for Miami's woes.

The Dolphins rank 30th in the league with just seven touchdowns and have a minus-7 turnover differential. They have also converted a league-low 23.7 percent of their third downs.

"Of course he's the head coach and he's going to take a lot of heat," receiver Brandon Marshall said. "But trust me, it's not him. Not just him. It's all of us."

Since replacing the injured Chad Henne under center during a 26-16 loss at San Diego on Oct. 2, Matt Moore has thrown just one touchdown and three interceptions in three games while recording a 67.0 quarterback rating - the fourth-worst mark in the NFL during that stretch.

Moore won't have one of his few effective weapons behind him. Rookie Daniel Thomas played in the Dolphins' last two games after missing a pair with a hamstring injury, but that same issue will keep him out Sunday.

A sore hamstring will also sideline starting cornerback Vontae Davis.

Miami likely won't have an easy time ending its season-long struggles against a Giants team that could be getting defensive captain Justin Tuck (sore groin, neck), Pro Bowl guard Chris Snee (concussion), prized rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara (broken foot), and running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) back following its bye.

"I think it will be a nice boost in the arm,"coach Tom Coughlin said. "I don't know exactly when the individuals will be cleared, but hopefully we'll be in a position where they are ready to go when we're talking game week and we get closer to (Sunday)."

Coughlin should be especially excited about the likely returns of Tuck and Amukamara - the 19th overall pick who could make his NFL debut - after the Giants surrendered an average of 388.6 yards over the last three games, during which they went 2-1 despite getting outscored 87-83.

The defense, however, came up huge when it mattered most, forcing a turnover on downs to secure a 27-24 win over Buffalo on Oct. 16.

"To do that and be 4-2 at this point, it is definitely a morale booster," offensive lineman David Diehl said, "and we are excited to have that and get guys healthy, get guys fueled back up heading into next week when we play Miami at home again."

Ahmad Bradshaw, who has carried the load in the backfield with Jacobs sidelined, rushed for a season-best 104 yards and a career-high three TDs. Bradshaw could be in for another big day against a Miami defense which allowed a season-worst 177 yards on the ground last week.

Following their meeting with the Dolphins, the Giants' schedule becomes significantly more difficult with matchups against New England, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Green Bay, who have gone a combined 24-8.

While it may be hard to not overlook the winless Dolphins, linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka knows doing so could be costly.

"That's when you let one slide away that you should have had and you should have won," Kiwanuka said. "For us, it is a non-issue and for me it is a non-issue because we have had a lot of injuries and we know how to play when people are out.

"To get people back would be a huge plus for us, but it is not about looking deep into the schedule and trying to map it out. It is about looking into this next game and getting a win."

The Giants, winners of four of the last five meetings in this series, most recently defeated Miami 13-10 on Oct. 28, 2007, in London. Eli Manning completed just 8 of 22 passes for 59 yards but ran for a score while Jacobs rushed for 131 yards.