The Miami Dolphins are looking to get back on the winning track and the direct path to doing so is unleashing De’Von Achane and the rushing attack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Deploying an effective rushing attack isn’t easy, however, as anyone who follows football knows. It’s especially tough when facing a run defense like the one the Bucs possess, but like any NFL defense, there are cracks and holes to exploit.

So, how do the Dolphins go about getting it all done against the Bucs? Let’s dive in and lay it all out.

It starts up front where Aaron Brewer (hopefully) faces off against Vita Vea

Kyle: Aaron Brewer has been sensational this season for the Dolphins. He’s one of the most rare offensive linemen in the game and he admittedly does play in an offensive system that optimizes his best qualities. But his game is predicated on leverage, agility, and quickness. He plays with a nasty demeanor but it shows up much more frequently in space as a second-level finisher. A potential matchup like Vea is, well, a tough draw. Vea has rare size and athleticism but pairs it with raw power that will make for a fascinating matchup with Brewer. The fine print here? Brewer only practiced on Friday with a neck injury, he may not go. If it isn’t him, look for second-year OL Andrew Meyer to get this big assignment.

Evan: The Bucs defense definitely starts with Vea and he’s quietly had a good year. He isn’t recording off-the-charts numbers, by any means, but he’s still been very disruptive and a lot of his play has been overlooked to the defense’s glaring deficiencies.

This is your classic David vs. Goliath matchup: Brewer, a center, is 6-foot-1, 295 pounds and Vea is 6-foot-4 and nearly 350 pounds. Vea’s best days are when he’s getting off the ball and winning that first step, so it’s going to be so intriguing to see how Brewer combats his size, strength, and athleticism with wits, technique, and his own particular set of skills (cue Liam Neeson).

The Bucs hope Vea can win more often than not and keep Brewer from reaching the second level, as well as force the Dolphins’ guard to help more, it’ll open up other opportunities for his teammates. That’ll go a long way toward winning the game if he can make it happen.

The Dolphins’ skill players will have to get their hands dirty

Kyle: The Dolphins certainly subscribe to the “no block, no rock” school of thought. Miami loves condensed formations and getting the ball on the perimeter, which means that their wide receivers are often charged with blocking EDGE defenders. If Miami has success there, they usually spring big plays. It’s a key matchup every given week and now that the Dolphins are eliminated from postseason contention, it will be very telling to see which receivers bring their A-game trying to block on the edge against defensive linemen.

Evan: This is a really fun aspect of Miami’s offense and I can’t wait to see how Yaya Diaby and Co. handle these assignments when they’re in play. Diaby is a good run defender and plays as fast and physical as anyone else – that has to be an exciting, but also somewhat-intimidating assignment for a receiver. No matter how big they are.

It obviously doesn’t stop with Diaby and the front seven, either. The Bucs secondary loves to play the run and guys like Jacob Parrish are great at making plays in the backfield, so Miami’s receivers need to be ready for them, as well.

But most importantly, De’Von Achane has to produce explosive runs

Kyle: De’Von Achane is in the midst of one of the best rushing seasons in franchise history. With 106 more yards, he’ll have the second-highest single-season mark behind only Ricky Williams in 2002. He leads the league in 10+ yard rushes (37), 20+ yard rushes (13), and 30+ yard rushes (6). This is a player who can take advantage of misdirection to spring an explosive run and flip the field. Tampa will need to have disciplined eyes to keep the lid on Achane in this one — which has been easier said than done all season.

Evan: Whew, “discipline” is a word the Bucs defense has had trouble applying throughout the season and it’s a big reason why the unit has struggled so much. It’s across the board, too. From miscommunications, to missed run fits, to poor tackling – it’s all there when it comes to the overall product 2025 has produced.

It’s all about getting to the second level for Achane, where the Bucs defense is least effective. It helps the Bucs defense allows 1.76 yards before contact on the ground, which is fifth-worst, per Next Gen Stats. All bets are off if/once he gets past the defensive line and the ensuing trickle down effect is one that can really throw Todd Bowles and Co. off the scent for the entire game.

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Kyle Crabbs