Accidents are formally taking their toll on the Dolphins. The toughest hit positions are quarterback, cornerback and offensive deal with, however accidents are noteworthy at just a few different positions, and that can make the tender a part of the Dolphins schedule a bit more durable.
The AFC East standings illustrate how issues have flipped the previous few weeks with Buffalo (5-1) on the prime, adopted by the Jets (4-2) after which the Dolphins (3-3) and Patriots (3-3).
The Dolphins get quarterback Tua Tagovailoa again this Sunday for the 8:20 p.m. recreation in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hopefully he’ll present sufficient of a spark to beat what's going to probably be one other week of powerful harm issues.
Within the meantime, the Dolphins will attempt to revive their once-seen working recreation, discover a option to rating touchdowns persistently, get the protection producing turnovers and tighten up their particular groups.
Passing recreation: D
The fourth-quarter Jaylen Waddle fumble and the porous move safety convey down a commanding efficiency by Tyreek Hill (12 receptions, 177 yards) and a few in any other case strong play by Waddle. Waddle’s fumble price the Dolphins an opportunity to win. The move safety allowed six sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Oh, and let’s not neglect it contributed to rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson being knocked out of his first profession begin within the second quarter with a proper thumb harm. The Dolphins swapped sides for his or her offensive tackles from every week in the past, placing Greg Little on the left aspect and Brandon Shell on the suitable aspect. It didn’t assist. They want beginning left deal with Terron Armstead (toe) again. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did what he may, however this passing recreation struggles if Hill, and to a lesser extent, Waddle, doesn’t get it executed. Accidents are an element, however the Dolphins can’t afford to lose fumbles and have beginning quarterbacks eliminated resulting from harm for 4 consecutive video games. Additionally they had a pass-interference penalty and an ineligible-man-downfield penalty that had been expensive.
Working recreation: D
Sadly, issues are again to what’s change into regular. The Dolphins totaled 73 yards dashing on 20 carries, a mean of three.7 yards per carry. Raheem Mostert had 49 yards on 14 carries to paved the way. The bottom recreation didn’t do something significant after a promising first quarter. The Vikings took away main working lanes in addition to cutback lanes. A lot of the blame right here falls on the blocking. There are not any holes. The Dolphins common simply 81.2 yards dashing per recreation. This can be a main drawback for the offense and the crew. Coach Mike McDaniel can’t determine this one out thus far, and the solutions don’t appear more likely to emerge quickly. The best way issues have gone thus far, it seems the Dolphins want an influence again, somebody who can create his personal holes, versus the speedy backs on their roster.
Defending the move: B
The massive drawback is zero turnovers. Apart from that, good issues occurred right here regardless of the rising harm issues that now embody cornerbacks Nik Needham (Achilles) and Keion Crossen (knee) and linebacker Trey Flowers (foot). Cornerback Xavier Howard stored Justin Jefferson (six receptions, 107 yards) in test for probably the most half. A 47-yard reception late within the third quarter was the distinction between a superb day and so-so day for Howard. Quarterback Kirk Cousins (20 for 30, 175 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 104.2 passer ranking) was respectable. However the Dolphins stored strain on him, with three sacks and 7 hits. Additionally they had 5 passes defended. The secondary is about as skinny as it may well get proper now. Penalties such because the roughing the passer in opposition to defensive deal with Christian Wilkins are extraordinarily punitive.
Defending the run: B+
Wilkins (4 tackles) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (seven tackles) did a pleasant job main an effort that held the Vikings to 78 yards, most of it on Dalvin Cook dinner’s 53-yard landing run within the fourth quarter. Cook dinner ended with 77 yards on 13 carries and was stored in test for nearly the complete day. The Vikings totaled simply 11 first downs, two on the bottom. And don’t be fooled by the 4.6 yards per carry. It was all constructed on Cook dinner’s future. The Dolphins did very good work right here. This is without doubt one of the healthiest models on the crew. The one unfavourable is they need to create turnovers, they usually didn’t. It’s a heavy burden however that’s the best way this complementary soccer factor works.
Particular groups: C-
Kicker Jason Sanders, who made a 44-yard discipline objective, was large proper on a 52-yard try. You’d prefer to get that one, nevertheless it’s all the time a bit dicey on kicks longer than 50 yards. However whenever you mix that miss with a muffed punt by security/punt returner Jevon Holland and permitting a 25-yard punt return, effectively, now issues seem shaky. The faux punt with the direct snap to security Clayton Fejedelem on fourth-and-1 from the Dolphins’ 34-yard line was value a strive, nevertheless it didn’t work. He was stopped for no achieve. Hill had a punt return for minus-2 yards, which isn’t a giant deal by itself, however when lumped into the group with different particular groups performs, it appears to be like worse. Punter Thomas Morstead continues to be a baller (six punts, 51.2-yard common, two contained in the 20). Nonetheless, the particular groups unit continues to wrestle general. The Dolphins want a lift right here, and it’s not taking place. Accidents are an element.
Teaching: C-
Accidents and the quarterback scenario make it powerful. However you possibly can’t have 10 penalties for 97 yards. And you may’t give away three factors within the type of that 34-yard discipline objective by Minnesota proper earlier than halftime. McDaniel was at his personal 11-yard line with 28 seconds remaining and trailing 7-3. The Dolphins had been getting the second half kickoff. McDaniel obtained grasping and went for the factors, however Bridgewater threw an interception the Vikings transformed it into factors. McDaniel is attempting to generate factors. He additionally went for it on fourth-and-5 and transformed with a Bridgewater move to Hill. And we already talked about the faux punt. Nonetheless, the Dolphins should proceed to determine methods to fabricate yards. Depth is being examined proper now, and the Dolphins are almost definitely past their consolation degree. That is the place coaches have to wring each ounce of expertise out of their roster.
Top off: Tyreek Hill
This man continues to show he’s the crew MVP, and the space will get better by the sport. Hill totaled 177 yards on 12 receptions in opposition to the Vikings and displayed nice route-running expertise, excellent arms and an virtually unmatched skill to get yards after catch. The person is sort of not possible to defend. His 701 receiving yards represents 32% of the Dolphins offense (2,197 yards). If Hill wasn’t on the crew, they’d by no means rating. That’s no disrespect to Waddle, Tagovailoa or anybody else. It’s simply apparent that Hill is The Man. He can do all of it. It makes you actually desirous to see how he will get that Ping-Pong desk embellished.
Inventory down: Cross safety
There’s not rather more to say right here apart from have a look at the quarterback scenario. We’re not essentially speaking about accidents. Bear in mind, Bridgewater took a giant hit resulting from a scheme error. Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner was unblocked and hit Bridgewater within the ribs, inflicting the intentional grounding, security and (wrongful?) entrance into concussion protocol. The larger image is Dolphins quarterbacks stay below duress. The strain is relentless. Cross safety entails tight ends and working backs, so this isn’t solely on the offensive line. However that’s the place move safety begins. Accidents are an element right here, contemplating tackles Armstead and Austin Jackson are sidelined. However the Dolphins should determine a option to maintain their quarterbacks upright.
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