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 can make the delicate a part of the Dolphins schedule a bit tougher.
The AFC East standings illustrate how issues have flipped the previous few weeks with Buffalo (5-1) on the high, 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 towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hopefully he’ll present sufficient of a spark to beat what’s going to doubtless be one other week of robust harm issues.
In the meantime, the Dolphins will attempt to revive their once-seen operating recreation, discover a strategy to rating touchdowns constantly, get the protection producing turnovers and tighten up their particular groups.
Passing recreation: D
The fourth-quarter Jaylen Waddle fumble and the porous go safety deliver down a commanding 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 go safety allowed six sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Oh, and let’s not overlook 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 per week in the past, placing Greg Little on the left aspect and Brandon Shell on the precise 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 recreation struggles if Hill, and to a lesser extent, Waddle, doesn’t get it completed. Injuries 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. They additionally had a pass-interference penalty and an ineligible-man-downfield penalty that had been expensive.
Running recreation: D
Unfortunately, issues are again to what’s turn out to be regular. The Dolphins totaled 73 yards dashing on 20 carries, a median of three.7 yards per carry. Raheem Mostert had 49 yards on 14 carries to prepared the ground. The floor recreation didn’t do something significant after a promising first quarter. The Vikings took away major operating 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 dashing per recreation. This is a significant downside for the offense and the workforce. Coach Mike McDaniel can’t determine this one out to this point, and the solutions don’t appear prone to emerge quickly. The method issues have gone to this point, it seems the Dolphins want an influence again, somebody who can create his personal holes, versus the speedy backs on their roster.
Defending the go: B
The huge downside is zero turnovers. Aside from that, good issues occurred right here regardless of the rising harm considerations 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 very good day and so-so day for Howard. Quarterback Kirk Cousins (20 for 30, 175 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 104.2 passer ranking) was first rate. But the Dolphins stored stress on him, with three sacks and 7 hits. They additionally had 5 passes defended. The secondary is about as skinny as it might 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 stored in test for nearly your entire 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 likely one of the healthiest items on the workforce. The solely unfavourable is they have to create turnovers, and so they didn’t. It’s a heavy burden however that’s the way in which this complementary soccer factor works.
Special groups: C-
Kicker Jason Sanders, who made a 44-yard subject aim, was large 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 if you mix that miss with a muffed punt by security/punt returner Jevon Holland and permitting a 25-yard punt return, nicely, 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 price a strive, however it didn’t work. He was stopped for no acquire. 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 seems to be 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 wrestle general. The Dolphins want a lift right here, and it’s not occurring. Injuries are an element.
Coaching: C-
Injuries and the quarterback state of affairs make it robust. But you’ll be able to’t have 10 penalties for 97 yards. And you’ll be able to’t give away three factors within the type of that 34-yard subject aim 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 acquired 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 go 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 most definitely past their consolation degree. 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 workforce MVP, and the space will get higher by the sport. Hill totaled 177 yards on 12 receptions towards the Vikings and displayed nice route-running expertise, excellent arms and an virtually unmatched capacity 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 workforce, 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 wanting to see how he will get that Ping-Pong desk embellished.
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 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 beneath duress. The stress is relentless. Pass safety includes tight ends and operating backs, so this isn’t solely on the offensive line. But that’s the place go safety begins. Injuries are an element right here, contemplating tackles Armstead and Austin Jackson are sidelined. But the Dolphins should determine a strategy to preserve their quarterbacks upright.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com