The Phinsider
43 degrees at MetLife Stadium in December taint so bad.
Were the Dolphins?
Sure; it’s the Jets (and a Jets team with a boatload of injuries, to boot). But being up 21-0 with 3:39 left in the 1st quarter is a pretty solid opening salvo.
Heavy sets, extra linemen masquerading as tight ends, tight ends who value blocking as much as running routes, fullbacks, et al, all in support of Dominant De’Von (Achane), plus the (albeit brief so far) emergence of Jaylen Wright, and a little sprinkle of OGII action on top have made for a pretty prolific rushing offense as of late.
It’s almost as if a head coach who came to Miami from a run-first team in San Francisco where he served as the run game coordinator could prioritize the run game a bit.
I think Mike McDaniel got distracted by the shiny jangly keys that are Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, found a method that highlighted their abilities, and went bananas with it until it fell to pieces.
If he can remember the face of his father and continue to build the offense on a solid foundation of ground and pound backed by play action, supplemented by ‘eye candy’, and seasoned with explosive plays, that’s a scheme that can find sustained success, even if the quarterback isn’t a world beater on his own (aka current form Tua).
The pass game has gone from elite timing with receivers running free as recently as only two seasons ago to borderline chaos with multiple throws per game that should be easy turnovers. Minimizing that risk is yet another reason to keep conducting the Totin’ Train over and over until the defense just goes home.
All aboard!
Sure; it’s the Jets (and a Jets team with a first time UDFA rookie quarterback, to boot). But 6 sacks, 3 INTs, and 228 total yards given up is a pretty solid second act.
The four man rush of Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, Zach Sieler, and a rotating rookie DT, has finally found a way to generate consistent pressure. Jordyn Brooks continues to rack up tackles in the middle, while the backend, led by Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, has been smothering opposing pass catchers.
It may end up being too little too late, but when considering the team’s long term prospects, it’s encouraging to note that the younger players, particularly the rookie defensive tackles Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers, have begun to find their footing.
Some of the depth players got reps against the Jets, which is a very un-Dolphin like development. Ethan Bonner even had the audacity to pull down a one-handed interception to seal the game, as if he played for a team for whom things like that happen.
While it would certainly be preferable that the defense came out swinging from day one (which they most certainly did...
