Predicting 5 games in which Trey Lance struggles most in 2022
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Trey Lance could struggle vs. Dolphins defense in Week 13
There’s a good chance Trey Lance and the rest of the 49ers offense are banged up a bit from what’ll be a high-profile Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints’ notable defense (more on them in a bit), which doesn’t bode well heading into a Week 13 home contest against the Miami Dolphins and the Niners’ former offensive coordinator, now-Miami head coach Mike McDaniel.
The Dolphins, who owned a middle-of-the-pack defense a year ago, won’t have the luxury of former head coach Brian Flores’ tutelage any longer. But one might argue the offset to that will be McDaniel’s knowledge of his former protege in Lance.
That’ll be an interesting dynamic to watch, but it’s not like we’re talking about a Miami defense devoid of talent.
Defensive backs Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Jevon Holland all have enough playmaking ability to frustrate Lance, while the front seven consisting of Jaelan Phillips and Emmanuel Ogbah helps balance out that side of the ball for the Dolphins, too.
What’ll be interesting here, though, is that chess match between McDaniel, Lance and head coach Kyle Shanahan.