A wild Dolphins season that started with a rousing three-game successful streak ended Sunday with a hard-fought 34-31 wild-card loss at Buffalo. This season concerned all sorts of pleasure from the mysterious absence of cornerback Byron Jones (foot/ankle surgical procedure in March) to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion points to dodging Hurricane Ian proper earlier than the Cincinnati recreation to the riveting five-game successful streak to the humbling five-game dropping streak to the clutch season-finale victory over the New York Jets that earned them their first playoff berth since 2016.
The season was profitable due to the playoff berth. But the Dolphins, who completed the common season 9-8, have numerous work to do within the offseason to grow to be a title contender.
The Dolphins earned numerous respect with that playoff look, preventing again from a 17-0 deficit with a rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach, who each confirmed their inexperience throughout the postseason.
Here’s a fast take a look at what occurred throughout the Bills recreation.
Pass recreation: D
Rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson (18 of 45, 220 yards, one landing, two interceptions, 44.7 passer score) did what he may, and though he didn’t ship the victory he crammed his function to one of the best of his means and that’s all you’ll be able to ask. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill (seven receptions, 69 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (three receptions, 44 yards) every had a drop in addition to working again Jeff Wilson Jr. Thompson was underneath duress contemplating he took 5 sacks and 11 hits, however that’s comprehensible contemplating the offensive line was lacking two starters and did some shuffling to accommodate the absences. The massive performs within the passing recreation weren’t there and that was a mixture of Thompson not having a reference to Hill or Waddle, and good protection on both the entrance finish, the again finish, and typically each. Tight finish Mike Gesicki (two receptions, 15 yards, one landing) acquired in on the act with a landing however he solely had two receptions. More was wanted on this space but it surely’s robust in charge Thompson. He’s a rookie seventh-round choose. The different guys, beginning with McDaniel, want to select up the slack.
Run recreation: F
This was a calamity. The Dolphins ended with 42 yards speeding on 20 carries and hardly put a scare into the Buffalo protection within the course of. The unlucky factor is a profitable working recreation would have given Thompson and the offense a greater likelihood of success as a result of it supplies steadiness, makes them much less predictable and takes strain off Thompson and the cross safety bundle. The Dolphins by no means acquired the run recreation going persistently this season, and that was an enormous flaw within the offense. McDaniel should discover a answer to this challenge subsequent season, and it most likely begins with play-calling.
Defending the cross: C+
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen stored the Dolphins within the recreation together with his typically careless play. His two interceptions, one by cornerback Xavien Howard and the opposite by security Jevon Holland (9 tackles), and two fumbles, one among which was returned for a landing by defensive sort out Zach Sieler (six tackles, 2.0 sacks) , have been essential. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips (9 tackles, .5 sacks), security Eric Rowe (seven tackles, prompted fumble) and linebacker Jerome Baker (seven tackles) have been additionally good. Defensive sort out Christian Wilkins made a significant contribution with one sack, 4 tackles, two quarterback hits and regular strain. The drawback right here was Diggs (9 receptions, 114 yards) took benefit of his matchup with Howard, and that damage badly. Allen didn’t have one among his higher video games however he performed adequate to win. The Dolphins’ cross protection wasn’t far behind.
Defending the run: C
The Bills rushed for 107 yards on 26 carries, though there was nothing particular right here they stored the chains transferring towards a run protection that completed the common season No. 4. Running again Motor Singletary (10 carries, 48 yards) and James Cook (12 carries, 39 yards, one landing) weren’t essentially good, however they did what they may. Buffalo got here out throwing initially, however added the run and it was a good suggestion. The defensive position, led by Wilkins and Sieler, but in addition with contributions from defensive tackles John Jenkins and Raekwon Davis, and linebackers Elandon Roberts and Baker, made certain Buffalo’s run recreation didn’t get out of hand. Nonetheless, the Bills have been efficient.
Special groups: B
Kicker Jason Sanders and punter Thomas Morstead have been good, and so have been the return video games and protection items, save for one play. Punt returner Cedrick Wilson had a 50-yard return that led to a area aim and the punt protection crew was everywhere in the fumble by Buffalo’s Nyheim Hines (the Bills finally recovered the unfastened ball). Sanders made three area objectives and Morstead, who was compelled to make a sort out on a punt return early within the recreation, flipped the sector efficiently, for essentially the most half. This was one among higher performances from particular groups, and it was well timed.
Coaching: D
Two phrases: clock administration. Yeah, rookie coach Mike McDaniel certain appeared as if he was head coach in his first playoff recreation. He didn’t have his play-calling system smoothed out from the standpoint of getting the decision from the sidelines to Thompson. This resulted in a second-half catastrophe that noticed the Dolphins burn timeouts to beat the play clock and, as a remaining insult, take a expensive delay of recreation penalty on their remaining possession as a result of the play clock was expiring. Defensive coordinator Josh Boyer had his guys able to play as did particular groups coordinator Danny Crossman, two males whose jobs is perhaps in jeopardy this offseason. They had their guys prepared. McDaniel? Well, he’ll be higher subsequent 12 months.
Stock up: Dolphins gamers
These guys proved to be tough-minded with a permanent spirit. They had alternatives to fold many occasions this season but they stored preventing and battling till it changed into a playoff berth. And then within the playoffs they went on the highway and performed one among their finest video games of the 12 months. This crew wasn’t particularly gifted man-for-man, however they performed arduous and stored a optimistic angle. Very effectively completed.
Stock down: Mike McDaniel
This isn’t an enormous deal. Overall, he had a profitable debut season. But the rookie crashed arduous on the finish. Defenses found out his offense, he didn’t use the run sufficient, and at occasions, whether or not it was Thompson or veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, there have been issues getting the performs to the sector shortly sufficient. Again, McDaniel had season. But let’s not ignore the plain issues that plagued this crew down the stretch. They’re all correctable. And they should be corrected if the Dolphins are going to construct on the success of this season.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com