Dolphins Top Takeaways: Defense Sets The Tone
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders with teammates safety Jevon Holland (8) and cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Nov. 19, 2023.
There’s always potential for craziness when the Dolphins and Jets meet. Fortunately for Miami fans Friday the only craziness was the leagues wildest defensive touchdown of the season. This one ended exactly the way it should have given who both these teams have show themselves to be.
Take away two poor decisions and Tua and the running game just broke down the vaunted top 5 Jets defense and easily put the game away mid second half.
Let’s review some of the key takeaways.
The defense is becoming the tone-setter
For most of the season the offense carried this team, spreading fireworks across the field while the defense struggled. Patience was preached over and over by the staff as they stood by their players and scheme. Slowly but surely Fangio’s group started roughly 5 games ago. Then, a jolt of Jalen Ramsey seemed to put them over the top. Since his return 4 games ago the defensive unit has excelled while climbing the rankings.
Jevon Holland’s 99 yard interception return for a touchdown removed all hope of a Jets’ come back right before halftime. Christian Wilkins continued his torrid pace with two more sacks and collectively the unit held the Jets to 159 total yards. The devastating loss of Jaelan Phillips will hurt the pass rush without question, but the team has replacements already on the team who can help fill the gap with AVG and Ogbah. Each passing week the defense comes up bigger and bigger and at least right now they seem to be the unit driving the tone in games.
A change in the offensive philosophy
Of head coach Mike McDaniel’s weaknesses abandoning the run and suspect play calling in short yardage situations seem to top most critics lists.. Friday saw McDaniel for a moment she’d those talkers. He stuck with smart short yardage passing and consistently running the football (even when it wasn’t producing in the first half).
If this team can commit to consistently attacking the physical defensive minded teams in their way, the sky is the limit.
Offensive line dominated
The offensive line absolutely dominated the a very good Jet’s front, opening running lanes and giving Tua time to throw the ball for the majority of the game. Although Armstead’s health continues to be a concern, you have to feel good about this unit and how they’ve performed in difficult situations. They didn’t skip a beat when Jackson was outrageously ejected.
Coach Butch Barry can no longer go unnoticed for what he has brought to this group. If they can stay reasonably healthy for the rest of the season, they could be the unit that helps this team survive tough battles.
Still plenty of potential
Take away the Broncos dismantling and you’ll see a team that has yet to truly play a complete game in all phases. If the defense plays lights out, the offense seems to struggle. If the offense is cooking, special teams falter. And so on..
But there’s a comfort to be taken in the fact that this team has yet to put it all together, and is still eight and three and in firm control of the division. This team has potential all over the field and has yet to truly tap into it, 100%. Perhaps this inability will prove to be a weakness, and they will fail to put it together at the seasons, most important moment. But just as likely is this group, pulling it together as the season winds down against some very good teams like Baltimore, Buffalo and Dallas. If they can completely gel and finally come together they’ll be as good as anyone in football.
Buckle up Phin fans, we are in for one of the more exciting season second halves in a long time!
Up Next