Dolphins Keys: Control The Line, Control The Clock
Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Despite one of the most tumultuous, up and down seasons in the league, the Dolphins are on the cusp of a Wild Card spot at 4-6 after winning two straight. Sunday they will welcome the New England Patriots to Hard Rock Stadium on. With the season on the line, the Dolphins have to continue their winning ways after consecutive wins against the Rams and Raiders.
What are our keys to victory against a struggling Patriots team?
Decimate the Patriots’ offensive line
New England has not had a very good season, to say the least, and a lot of it starts with their weak offensive line.
If the Patriots don’t take a lineman in the first round everyone in the organization should be tied to train tracks https://t.co/DUCyddOycg
— Brandon Carney (@BenchwarmerBran) October 6, 2024
They have allowed 35 sacks in 2024, which is tied for fourth most in the NFL this season. It’s not due to quarterback play, either, as Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett have nearly an equal number of starts (7 and 6, respectively) and sacks taken (17 and 18, respectively).
Their offensive line boasts the second worst pass blocking grade (48.6) and the third worst run blocking grade of the entire 2024 season (49.6). They’ve been decimated by injuries, as Cole Strange, Chukwuma Okorafor, and Caeden Wallace are all injured. The starting right tackle, Demontray Jacobs, is listed as the backup left tackle. If Patriots starting left tackle Vederian Lowe, who is questionable with a shoulder injury, is unable to play, boy oh boy will Jacobs have his work cut out for him.
Even though the team lost Christian Wilkins this past offseason, they have been capable in defending the run (4.4 yards per carry allowed). Though the defensive line has struggled to accumulate sacks this season, they’ve totaled a respectable seven sacks over the last two weeks. In addition, it’s not just one sole player, either; those sacks have been credited to six different players (Calais Campbell is the only player with multiple sacks over the last two weeks).
Keep Drake Maye in the pocket
Don’t get me wrong, Drake Maye is has potential but between his offensive line and deeply mediocre receiver corps, Maye’s ceiling as a passer is currently only so high. His ability as a rusher, on the other hand, has been among the NFL’s best among quarterbacks.
DRAKE MAYE. 17-yard rushing TD for the rookie!
📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/QCLpeTf9xG— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
In a league where Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, and Josh Allen receive notoriety for their wheels, Maye averages a hefty 9.3 yards per carry, which leads the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 25 rushing attempts. He also is the league leader among QBs with 5.04 yards per rush after contact.
Preventing Drake Maye from using his legs will help limit the explosiveness of the Patriots’ offense. Instead, keeping him in the pocket where he has a weak receiver corps of Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kayshon Boutte, and Hunter Henry will give Anthony Weaver’s defense an advantage.
Let Achane help control the clock
The Patriots have been a league-average team in terms of defending the run (4.4 yards per carry). However, their defensive line is riddled with injuries.
#Patriots Wednesday injury report, headlined by starting LT Vederian Lowe (shoulder) not participating. pic.twitter.com/oeepdmm4wl
— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) November 20, 2024
Even with the return of Christian Barmore last week, he was largely not as productive as he has been in years’ past, totaling three tackles in 21 total snaps, including zero pressures on 14 pass rush snaps.
With the status of their defensive line currently in limbo, the explosive De’Von Achane has the ability to use his game breaking ability to keep the Patriots’ defense on the field for the majority of the game and keep the Dolphins’ offense on the field. All but one of Miami’s wins this season have come when they’ve held the ball for at least 33 minutes, and the Patriots are 0-6 when they lose the time of possession battle.
Achane was limited in the first game of the year against the Patriots, as he had three rushes for 18 yards before being forced to exit due to a concussion. This week is the perfect opportunity for a De’Von Achane revenge game, and he can finally show the Patriots’ defensive coordinator what he’s capable of when given the opportunity to play a full game against them.
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