Buccaneers at Dolphins: Five game-changing players for Week 11

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: A view of a football during a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: A view of a football during a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 13: Brent Grimes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball after an interception against the Chicago Bears in the first half of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 13: Brent Grimes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball after an interception against the Chicago Bears in the first half of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Brent Grimes

Who better to put up a huge performance against the Dolphins than cornerback Brent Grimes? The veteran spent three seasons in Miami before a departure that may or may not have had something to do with his wife, Miko. Since then, Miko has been engaged in a long feud with Dolphin fans. Tweets and public statements against her husband’s former organization aren’t hard to come by, which adds an interesting wrinkle to Brent’s return to the 305 this Sunday.

Grimes had three solid years with Miami, but with everything that has gone on since, he may not be welcomed like a hero this Sunday. But do you really think he cares? I highly doubt Grimes will be bothered by a sour reaction. He might even thrive on it. The 34-year-old is still playing at a pretty high level when healthy. He returned to the lineup in Tampa Bay’s win over New York and picked off his second pass of the season. For the year, he has 27 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended.

With the turnover-prone Jay Cutler at quarterback for Miami, Grimes could come up with a few impact plays. Assuming he lines up against Jarvis Landry, that matchup could be key in deciding the winner of Sunday’s game. The Dolphins have the 29th-ranked passing offense in the NFL. If there’s one offense that Tampa Bay will face the rest of the year that it should absolutely shut down, it’s Miami’s. Grimes should be a major part of that.

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