Injuries are formally taking their toll on the Dolphins. The hardest hit positions are quarterback, cornerback and offensive deal with, however accidents are noteworthy at a couple of different positions, and that may make the tender a part of the Dolphins schedule a bit tougher.
The AFC East standings illustrate how issues have flipped the previous couple of weeks with Buffalo (4-1) on the prime, adopted by the New York Jets (4-2) after which the Dolphins (3-3) and Patriots (3-3).
The Dolphins get quarterback Tua Tagovailoa again this week for the 8:20 p.m. sport towards Pittsburgh. Hopefully he’ll present sufficient of a spark to beat what’s going to doubtless be one other week of robust damage issues.
In the meantime, the Dolphins will attempt to revive their once-seen working sport, discover a option to rating touchdowns persistently, get the protection producing turnovers and tighten up their particular groups.
Passing sport: D
The fourth-quarter Jaylen Waddle fumble and the porous cross safety convey down a command efficiency by Tyreek Hill (12 receptions, 177 yards) and a few in any other case stable play by Waddle. Waddle’s fumble price the Dolphins an opportunity to win. The cross 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 damage. 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 best aspect. It didn’t assist. They want beginning left deal with Terron Armstead (toe) again. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did what he might, however this passing sport struggles if Hill, and to a lesser extent, Waddle, doesn’t get it performed. Injuries are an element, however the Dolphins can’t afford to lose fumbles and have beginning quarterbacks eliminated as a result of damage for 3 consecutive video games. They additionally had a pass-interference penalty and an ineligible-man-downfield penalty that had been pricey.
Running sport: D
Unfortunately, issues are again to what’s develop into regular. The Dolphins totaled 73 yards speeding on 20 carries, a median of three.7 yards per carry. Raheem Mostert had 49 yards on 14 carries to cleared the path. The floor sport didn’t do something significant after a promising first quarter. The Vikings took away main working lanes in addition to cutback lanes. Much of the blame right here falls on the blocking. There aren’t any holes. The Dolphins common simply 81.2 yards speeding per sport. This is a serious downside for the offense and the staff. Coach Mike McDaniel can’t determine this one out thus far, and the solutions don’t appear more likely to emerge quickly. The method 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 cross: B
The large downside is zero turnovers. Aside from that, good issues occurred right here regardless of the rising damage considerations that now embody cornerbacks Nik Needham (Achilles) and Keion Crossen (knee) and linebacker Trey Flowers (foot). Cornerback Xavier Howard saved Justin Jefferson (six receptions, 107 yards) in verify for essentially the most half. A 47-yard reception late within the third quarter was the distinction between day and so-so day for Howard. Quarterback Kirk Cousins (20 for 30, 175 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 104.2 passer score) was respectable. But the Dolphins saved stress on him, with three sacks and 7 hits. They additionally had 5 passes defended. The secondary is about as skinny as it will probably get proper now. Penalties such because the roughing the passer towards 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’s 53-yard landing run within the fourth quarter. Cook ended with 77 yards on 13 carries and was saved in verify for nearly the whole 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’s long term. The Dolphins did very good work right here. This is among the healthiest items on the staff. The solely destructive is they have to create turnovers, and so they didn’t. It’s a heavy burden however that’s the best way this complementary soccer factor works.
Special groups: C-
Kicker Jason Sanders, who made a 44-yard discipline objective, was broad proper on a 52-yard try. You’d wish to get that one, however it’s all the time a bit dicey on kicks longer than 50 yards. But once 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-and1 from the Dolphins’ 34-yard line was price a strive, however it didn’t work. He was stopped for no achieve. Hill had a punt return for minus-2 yards, which isn’t an enormous 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). However, the particular groups unit continues to battle total. The Dolphins want a lift right here, and it’s not taking place. Injuries are an element.
Coaching: C-
Injuries and the quarterback state of affairs make it robust. But you may’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 bought grasping and went for the factors, however Bridgewater threw an interception the Vikings transformed it into factors. McDaniel is attempting. He additionally went for it on fourth-and-5 and transformed with a Bridgewater cross to Hill. And we already talked about the faux punt. Still, the Dolphins should proceed to determine methods to fabricate yards. Depth is being examined proper now, and the Dolphins are almost certainly past their consolation stage. This is the place coaches must wring each ounce of expertise out of their roster.
Stock up: Tyreek Hill
This man continues to show he’s the staff MVP, and the space will get larger by the sport. Hill totaled 177 yards on 12 receptions towards the Vikings and displayed nice route-running expertise, excellent palms and an virtually unmatched capability to get yards after catch. The man is nearly inconceivable to defend. His 701 receiving yards represents 32% of the Dolphins’ offense (2,197 yards). If Hill wasn’t on the staff, they’d by no means rating. That’s no disrespect to Waddle, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or anybody else. It’s simply apparent that Hill is The Man. He can do all of it. It makes you actually wanting to see how he will get that Ping-Pong desk adorned.
Stock down: Pass safety
There’s not way more to say right here apart from take a look at the quarterback state of affairs. We’re not essentially speaking about accidents. Remember, Bridgewater took an enormous hit as a result of 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 greater image is Dolphins quarterbacks stay underneath duress. The stress is relentless. Pass safety includes tight ends and working backs, so this isn’t solely on the offensive line. But that’s the place cross safety begins. Injuries are an element right here, contemplating tackles Armstead and Austin Jackson are sidelined. But the Dolphins should work out a option to preserve their quarterbacks upright.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com