Talk » The Dolphins again come out of a difficult loss with m

ore questions than answers despite owning a winning record. The team has suffered a rash of injuries Xavien Howard Jersey , more so through seven weeks than most teams do over the course of an entire season. Now, the Dolphins will head to Houston for a primetime showdown with a talented Texans team, and one player on Houston’s defense is sure to cause havoc.Each week of the 2018 season, I’m highlighting one player on the opposing team that Dolphins fans should be watching out for. This week, that player is Houston Texans defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.Fact CheckPosition: FSExperience: 6th seasonAge: 26Height/Weight: 5’9”, 185 lbsCollege: LSUStat ReviewIn Mathieu’s first season with the Texans (he spent the previous five with the Arizona Cardinals), the uber-talented defensive back has been a very productive cog in Romeo Crennel’s defense. Mathieu has been placed back in his natural free safety position after being moved around more in Arizona’s secondary, and he is thriving as the center fielder in a dangerous defense. Through seven games, the former Pro Bowler has 39 tackles Laremy Tunsil Jersey , five passes defended, two interceptions, and a sack.With J.J. Watt and co. making life difficult for quarterbacks up front, Mathieu has been reaping the benefits of errant throws from pressured passers. Miami’s o-line keeping Brock Osweiler upright will be a must in this contest to prevent Mathieu from having a field day.Key MatchupsThe Dolphins are suddenly thin in the pass-catching department. Albert Wilson looks to be out for an extended period of time, Kenny Stills will almost certainly miss this week’s contest after suffering a groin strain against the Lions, and DeVante Parker hasn’t been active for five of Miami’s past seven games. Parker will likely suit up for this matchup, but I’m looking for the team to further rely on a strong tight end group to make things happen.It’s time for Adam Gase to take advantage of the athleticism he has in 2018 second-round draft pick Mike Gesicki. Despite the fact that Gesicki is likely to be lined up against a linebacker in Houston’s 3-4 defensive scheme, he should be able to dominate if covered by Mathieu at any point. Gesicki has a whopping nine-inch height advantage on the slightly diminutive safety, and putting a jump ball up for the talented tight end down the field could allow for some big plays to occur.The Dolphins also need to watch out for Mathieu when attempting to make plays in the screen game. Yes Cordrea Tankersley Jersey , Wilson is hurt, but Miami still has Jakeem Grant out wide to make plays happen after the catch. Mathieu is an unbelievably instinctive playmaker and he’ll sniff out screens quickly if the Dolphins rely on them too often. With Parker and Gesicki in the lineup, Osweiler should be pushing the ball downfield to keep Houston’s defense from keying in on the dink-and-dunks over the middle. Experience tells Ryan Fitzpatrick that his job with the Miami Dolphins might not last long.After all, they are his eighth team. And for now, at least, he is glad to be their starting quarterback.“I’m going to come in from day one and act like and be the starting quarterback for this organization, until they tell me I’m not,” Fitzpatrick said Tuesday, one day after signing a two-year Raekwon McMillan Jersey , $11 million deal.He replaces the departed Ryan Tannehill and becomes a caretaker until the Dolphins draft a franchise quarterback, perhaps next month but more likely in 2020.Most of the Dolphins’ offseason moves under new coach Brian Flores have positioned them for a poor season, followed by a high draft pick and big splash in free agency next year. In choosing to sign with the Dolphins, Fitzpatrick said he was not fazed by their bleak immediate outlook.More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins sign hometown WR Allen Hurns to 1-year contractNew Dolphins coach Brian Flores has his own daily workout at training campDolphins assistant coach Jim Caldwell takes leave of absence to address health issuesTwo-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones rejoins Dolphins after skipping voluntary practicesDolphins QBs Josh Rosen, Ryan Fitzpatrick embrace battle for No. 1 job“I’ve been in pretty much every situation you can imagine in my career,” he said. “There are 32 of these starting gigs in the NFL, and this is one of them. The opportunity to be one of those 32 guys is an amazing privilege and honor. When they approached me about signing on, I was so excited about the chance to get on the field and play.”This year Fitzpatrick, 36 Charles Harris Jersey , could become the first quarterback to throw a pass for eight teams. Always plagued by inconsistency, he started seven games for Tampa Bay last season and had four 400-yard passing games before losing the No. 1 job to Jameis Winston.His average of 9.6 yards per attempt for the year was the NFL’s highest since Kurt Warner in 2000, and he said he is eager to keep playing.“I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “Physically I feel great. For having a 14-year career and as many games as I’ve played, physically I feel probably as good as I could ever hope for.”Fitzpatrick, who has seven children, is changing teams for the fifth time since 2013, but he’s not sorry about all the moving.“I’ve loved it,” he said. “As a family we’ve looked at it as an adventure every time we’ve moved. We’ve had such a great time with it Jason Sanders Jersey , meeting new people. The friendships we’ve made have truly been amazing for us. It’s not something I would change.”Despite the latest relocation, to sometimes steamy South Florida, Fitzpatrick said he will keep his trademark beard. It made it through two seasons in Tampa, which is nearly as hot.His new teammates include safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who last season filed for a federal trademark of the nickname “FitzMagic.” The Dolphins’ new QB also has that nickname but does not anticipate any issues.“I haven’t talked to or met Minkah yet,” Ryan said. “First we’ve got to figure out if we’re related. But I think there’s plenty of magic to go around.”