No excuses. The Dolphins had been as wholesome as they’ve been shortly for Sunday’s 26-20 loss to Green Bay, they usually had received 11 of their earlier 12 residence video games. Sure, they had been on a three-game shedding streak, however that loss at Buffalo was so encouraging it was nearly as if it wasn’t actually a loss. It appeared as if issues had been going to show within the Dolphins’ favor for the ultimate three regular-season video games.
If that was your pondering, you noticed a mirage.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three fourth-quarter interceptions because the Dolphins sophisticated the highway to their first playoff berth since 2016.
The Dolphins aren’t panicking, which is an effective factor.
But it’s affordable to now fear about their expertise, psychological toughness and sense of urgency. Any of these three could possibly be an element through the group’s ultimate two video games: at New England on Sunday and towards the New York Jets on Jan. 8.
But first, right here’s a glance again on the disappointing loss to the Packers.
Passing sport: F
Those three fourth-quarter interceptions had been killers. Tagovailoa (16 of 25, 310 yards, three interceptions, one landing, 80.8 passer ranking) was at his worst when the Dolphins wanted his greatest. Pass safety was good. Tagovailoa was sacked twice and took six hits. That wasn’t the problem. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill (4 receptions, 103 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (5 receptions, 143 yards, one landing) did their factor. That wasn’t the problem. Targets had been moderately dispersed. Waddle and Hill had been every focused six occasions, operating again Raheem Mostert was focused 3 times, broad receiver Trent Sherfield, tight finish Mike Gesicki and operating backs Alec Ingold and Jeff Wilson Jr. had been every focused twice, and tight finish Durham Smythe was focused as soon as. That wasn’t the problem. Play-calling additionally wasn’t a problem. Tagovailoa, for the primary time this season, was the most important concern. He should play higher, and he’s nicely conscious of that.
Running sport: C
The Dolphins rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries, 4.6 yards per carry, which isn’t unhealthy. The downside is that they didn’t have many significant carries within the second half, once they rushed seven occasions for 14 yards. Of course, the Dolphins solely had 45 performs for the sport, 21 within the second half. And we all know three of these 21 second-half performs had been fourth-quarter interceptions, so there weren’t many alternatives within the operating sport. But contemplating the run sport isn’t the power of this offense — it’s nearly an afterthought — you’ll be able to’t actually blame that factor of the offense because it’s not relied upon. The Dolphins are thirty first (second to final) within the NFL in dashing makes an attempt at 331. Balance would assist this offense enormously.
Defending the move: B
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a very good day, ending 24 of 38 for 238 yards, one landing, one interception and a depressing 78.6 passer ranking. The Dolphins ended with two sacks and simply three quarterback hits as Rodgers used his toes to bounce across the move rush and acquire some yards (18 yards dashing on seven carries). The Dolphins had seven passes defended, and may need gotten away with a few penalties that weren’t referred to as, and all issues thought-about the move protection did OK. But give the Packers credit score for coping after shedding broad receiver Christian Watson (six receptions, 49 yards) to harm for the second half. The Dolphins weren’t nice on this space, however they had been seemingly adequate to get a victory.
Defending the run: A
Green Bay didn’t discover a lot success on the bottom, totaling 79 yards on 25 carries. Running again A.J. Dillon (11 carries, 36 yards, one landing) was the main rusher, and you may see by his totals the run protection was efficient. And when you think about the Packers had runs of 18, 12 and 11 yards, which whole 41 yards, half of their dashing whole, the run protection’s effectiveness turns into extra clear. Nice job by a run protection that’s now ranked tenth within the league at 109.1 yards per sport.
Special groups: D
Yes, the Dolphins efficiently shut down a faked subject purpose. But they missed a 48-yard subject purpose try broad proper and allowed a 93-yard kickoff return that led to a Packers subject purpose. Those six factors had been essential in a sport the Dolphins misplaced by six factors. Kicker Jason Sanders’ streak of 12 consecutive made subject objectives ended at a foul time. Punter Thomas Morstead was solely used as soon as, and that resulted in a 2-yard return and a deal with contained in the 20-yard line, which is nice. But Miami’s return groups additionally allowed a 21-yard kickoff return along with the 93-yarder. Tip your hat to the protection for under permitting a subject purpose on that possession. Special groups should be higher.
Coaching: D
The defensive sport plan was good. It was efficient. Offensively, and on particular groups, the sport plan wasn’t unhealthy however gamers didn’t execute. That’s not the coaches’ fault, nevertheless it’s their duty. It’s as much as the coaches to verify issues get accomplished accurately and successfully. That didn’t occur towards Green Bay. Coach Mike McDaniel should discover a technique to get his offense to show it has greater than large performs, and that proof hasn’t come ceaselessly this season. In reality, this group depends closely on large performs on each side of the ball and struggles with the down-to-down grind required to be constantly efficient. That’s a harmful trait. The Dolphins have two video games left to seek out out what they will do successfully on a constant foundation, whether or not it’s large performs or the down-to-down soiled work. If neither get the Dolphins to the playoffs, the season will surely be thought-about a failure and McDaniel would take an enormous hit on his rookie teaching season.
Stock up: Not relevant
Nothing makes you’re feeling optimistic proper now. The run protection was good. In reality, the complete protection was pretty good, particularly holding the Packers to a subject purpose on that first possession that began on the Dolphins’ 9-yard line. But it’s robust to reward a protection that allowed 26 factors, though it labored with a brief subject a couple of occasions. The offensive line was OK, and the big-play offense delivered with a few lengthy receptions. But nothing was good general. For the primary time all season, it’s robust to be optimistic about something after a loss. At least the Dolphins have two video games remaining and face a win-and-you’re-in situation. That’s the very best factor you’ll be able to say about this group that has proven to lack a killer intuition when it issues most.
Stock down: Offense
The highly-publicized offense is ninth within the league in scoring at 24.3 factors per sport. Congratulations. That’s precisely what the Dolphins averaged in 2014 underneath coach Joe Philbin and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The 2022 offense couldn’t grind out any second-half factors towards a Green Bay protection that has had its points. Keep an eye fixed on this unit in these ultimate two video games. The jury continues to be out on the offense. So far it seems to be a gaggle that reveals up strongly towards middling or poor groups, however struggles towards good groups or December opponents similar to New England (20 factors), Buffalo (first sport, 21 factors), Cincinnati (15), the New York Jets (17), Minnesota (16), San Francisco (17), the Los Angeles Chargers (17) and Green Bay (20). Yes, the offense scored 29 factors at Buffalo (loss) and 42 at Baltimore (win), nevertheless it’s just about made its popularity towards unhealthy groups and in non-pressure conditions.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com