As the NFL regular-season calendar turns to December, the Dolphins (8-3) discover themselves in first place within the AFC East, driving a five-game profitable streak, and a streak of 4 consecutive video games scoring 30 or extra factors.
Life is nice.
Yeah, there’s a serious harm concern involving left sort out Terron Armstead (pectoral) that might dampen the wave of enthusiasm, however the early report Sunday evening supplied a purpose for guarded optimism that Armstead will return this season.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa continues to be enjoying effectively, the protection confirmed it could possibly nonetheless make performs with two interceptions and a fumble return for a landing, and particular groups turned in a strong efficiency.
The Dolphins, nevertheless, are finished with their so-called “soft” a part of the schedule, having confronted 5 groups that now have a mixed document of 15-39-1 (.344). Three of these video games had been at residence.
The Dolphins are beginning a six-game stretch towards groups which have a mixed document of 38-29 (.567). Three of these video games will probably be on the street towards high quality groups, starting Sunday at San Francisco.
Buckle up. This needs to be enjoyable.
But earlier than we go there, let’s put a bow on the Texans recreation, a matchup that noticed the Dolphins dominate regardless that the offense solely recorded two touchdowns and didn’t rating any factors within the second half.
Passing recreation: B-
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (22 of 36, 299 yards, one landing, 96.9 passer score) was efficient, however not so good as he had been the earlier three video games when he had passer scores of at the least 135. Pass safety broke down after left sort out Terron Armstead (pectoral) left late within the second quarter, mainly surrendering 5 sacks in half a recreation. Armstead performed 37 snaps (49 p.c), maybe providing a glimpse of what may occur if he misses any time. Receiver Jaylen Waddle (5 receptions, 85 yards) had at the least one drop. Fellow receiver Tyreek Hill had 5 receptions for 85 yards, pedestrian by the usual he’s established this season. The first half was ok to beat nearly any opponent, however the second half was shaky, at greatest.
Running recreation: D
Houston was prepared. It was swarming everywhere in the ball carriers. The Dolphins had 26 carries for 66 yards, a median of two.5 yards per carry. Starter Raheem Mostert missed the sport with a knee harm. Newly-acquired Jeff Wilson Jr., who rushed for 119 yards towards Cleveland, had 39 yards on 13 carries. Wilson gave the Dolphins a lift the earlier two video games along with his bodily operating model and want to dam move rushers, however his physicality wasn’t felt towards the Texans. If Armstead is gone for any size of time, the run recreation turns into vitally essential as a result of move safety and the timing of the move recreation might be vastly completely different. Most possible the Dolphins will want the 1-2 punch of the speedy Mostert and the bodily Wilson if Armstead is sidelined.
Defending the move: A
The Dolphins had two interceptions and 5 sacks. Texans quarterback Kyle Allen, beginning instead of benched starter Davis Mills, was 26 of 39 for 215 yards, one landing, two interceptions and a 67.8 passer score. The Dolphins’ move rush trio of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Melvin Ingram accounted for 2 sacks and three quarterback hits whereas offering a superb quantity of stress. Additionally, security Verone McKinley III and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel each recorded interceptions. Safety Eric Rowe put a ferocious hit on operating again Dameon Pierce that brought on a fumble, which cornerback Xavien Howard scooped up and ran again 16 yards for a landing.
Defending the run: A
Texans operating again Dameon Pierce was held to eight yards on 5 carries. Pierce entered the sport seventh in dashing with 780 yards. The Dolphins shut him down. And that comes one recreation after they held Cleveland Nick Chubb, who’s third within the NFL with 1,039 yards, to 63 yards dashing. Inside linebacker Elandon Roberts led the best way with eight tackles adopted by Phillips (seven tackles), defensive sort out Zach Sieler (six) and security Jevon Holland, linebacker Jerome Baker, defensive sort out Christian Wilkins and Rowe, who every had 4 tackles apiece. The Dolphins made the Texans one-dimensional and shut down the Texans’ passing recreation.
Special groups: A-
Kicker Jason Sanders, who entered with a missed 29-yard area aim and two missed further factors in his earlier two video games, had a powerful efficiency with three area targets and two further factors. Punter Thomas Morstead was additionally strong with six punts for a median of 49.3 yards per punt. The downside was the Texans averaged 16.2 yards per return on 5 punt returns.
Coaching: B+
The offense mustered simply two touchdowns, 66 yards dashing, no second-half factors and surrendered 5 sacks. But, general, this was one other good job by coach Mike McDaniel and his employees. The protection was excellent. Special groups was good. The offense was ok. Keeping focus will be robust in these conditions. It was a house recreation that got here days after Thanksgiving and the week after the bye. And the Dolphins jumped out to a 30-point halftime lead. Yeah, Houston threatened to make a second-half comeback, but it surely didn’t. So give the coaches credit score for conserving the gamers on activity. You’d have preferred to see higher general manufacturing from the offense, however, hey, the Dolphins are 8-3 and in first place.
Stock up: Jason Sanders
Hopefully, Sanders, an All Pro who had three area targets and two further factors towards Houston, is again after a two-game downturn. The Dolphins will possible want him in an enormous approach within the ultimate six video games, particularly the subsequent three. And if Armstead doesn’t play, there’s a superb likelihood these will all be shut video games. If Sanders is again to his previous self, the Dolphins can breathe a bit simpler for these December and January video games.
Stock down: Pass safety
When Armstead left the sport late within the second quarter, the move safety struggled. And this was towards the one-win Texans. Imagine what may occur towards San Francisco and edge rusher Nick Bosa (11.5 sacks, third within the league). If Armstead misses any time, the Dolphins should discover a solution to shield Tagovailoa and hold the timing of the passing recreation intact. If not, life will get way more sophisticated for all the group, not simply the offense.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com