Defense Is Doing It

Much of the media hoopla about the Dolphins focuses on RB Jay Ajayi and the offensive line. Less noticed is the Dolphins defense, who are greatly benefiting by the resurgence of the running game. The D no longer has to play almost three-fourths of a game because of offensive ineptitude. The results speak for themselves, and the Dolphins defense is not only rising to the occasion, it's also moving up in several key metrics.

What are the key responsibilities of NFL defenses? They are, quite simply, STOP the run, STOP the pass and STOP third down conversions. How are the Dolphins doing?

These Dolphins defensive hogs are ranked 10th, and rising. This is a three-phased stat, including rush yards per attempt, negative pass play % and third down %. (coldhardfootballfacts.com)

The Dolphins rush defense is 26th, giving up 4.5 yards per rush. Room for improvement! The defense forces negative pass plays on 8.3% of plays, ranking them 12th. Where the hogs shine is limiting offenses to 30.84% third down conversions, best in the league!

Defensive improvement will continue as long as the Dolphins offense doesn't sputter. When fresh, the Miami Dolphins defense dominates!

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It Ain't Pretty....But I'll Take It!

In a game when Ryan Tanne-Hype was supposed to take advantage of a dismal Jets pass defense, it was a second chance Kick Off return that was the highlight of the day.

Not to discredit an improved defense even though they gave up plenty of penalty yardage to allow the Jets to extend a few drives into points, they still made enough plays, featuring interceptions by Jordan Phillips and Bobby McCain, two sacks by Cameron Wake, plus two big plays by Ndamukong Suh during the Jets last possession.

This game was par for the course when the Jets play the Dolphins.  Lots of wacky plays from a dropped snap on a punt to a punt return for a TD brought back by penalty. The game boasted 5 lead changes.

RT didn't win this game in the 4th quarter as it appeared he may have to with just under 6 minutes left but he certainly did nothing to lose it. Which is a good thing.

We had plenty to cheer and of course moan about through out this classic seesaw battle between these rivals.

What impressed me most was the solid running game to grind out the W at the end. And that final formation with 2 WRs split way out wide on each side forcing the Jets to have only 7 men in the box to stop the run.

Good luck with that.

So we are 4-4 and headed west for two weeks to face the Chargers and then the Rams.

These will not be easy wins for anybody but if we can play well enough to win, we could come back home at 6-4.

Also, after tonight's Raiders Broncos game, unless there is a tie, one of them will fall to 3 losses, leaving us a game out of the Wild Card hunt.

For now, I'll enjoy this victory over the Jets no matter how ugly it was.

Phins Up!!

Carl Leone
Dolfan since 12/25/1971

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