The Tape Don’t Lie from Joe Schad after Miami 70, Denver 20
MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins broke numerous records in a 70-20 thrashing of the Broncos on Sunday.
Miami has excellent coaching, incredible overall team speed and is suddenly the trendiest choice to represent the AFC in the next Super Bowl.
Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and Jevon Holland all starred for the Dolphins.
At 3-0, Miami is the only undefeated team in the AFC.
A victory on Sunday at AFC East rival Buffalo would make a tremendous statement.
Many coaches believe “The Tape Don’t Lie,” and that list includes Mike McDaniel.
“The game tape survives time,” McDaniel says.
Here are some things we noticed in Miami’s victory:
Miami’s offense may be unparralled
The return of left tackle Terron Armstead further solidified an offensive line that has looked unrecognizably good throughout the first three weeks.
The Dolphins put up 70 points and receiver Jaylen Waddle didn’t even play.
Miami hasn’t had running back Jeff Wilson for the past three weeks.
The Dolphins have the NFL’s #1 graded quarterback (Tua), running back (Mostert) and receiver (Tyreek Hill) in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
And it’s hard to argue with that.
If PFF graded offensive play-callers, coach Mike McDaniel would be #1, too.
The Dolphins are currently 1st in the NFL in points per game, yards per game, yards per play, rushing yards per game, rushing yards per play, passing yards per game and passing yards per play.
This could literally go down as one of the great offenses in NFL history in 2023.
Greatest? Miami Dolphins and Tua offense up there with Brady, Mahomes, Manning, Rodgers teams | Schad
When the Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa with the fifth pick, they believed his impact could be franchise-altering.
They believed he could make thrilling plays (see no-look shovel pass to De’Von Achane for a touchdown).
And they believed he could lead with swagger and confidence.
We are all seeing the version of Tua they hoped they had landed four years ago.
Incredible offensive line performance
We at the Palm Beach Post filled Sunday’s newspaper with all sorts of nice words about the Dolphins’ offensive line.
Some felt this was premature as Miami had played only two games and they were about the face the blitz-happy Broncos.
Well, this is a new era of Dolphins’ offensive line play.
It’s the system. It’s the coaching. It’s the players.
They have all improved.
Big Men After years of futility, Miami Dolphins get offensive line and coach right.
The big fellas are able to play more free and more aggressively and with more confidence.
They’re dancing the conga line after touchdowns!
Guards Robert Hunt and Isaiah Wynn and center Connor Williams have allowed a total of 3 pressures and 0 sacks in 319 total pass block snaps this season according to PFF.
Tua Tagovailoa has been sacked once in 12 quarters.
The Dolphins set a record with 350 rushing yards on Sunday.
Miami’s offensive linemen are utilizing their athleticism with downfield blocking in space. And with explosive pulls.
On a 39-yard run by Achane in the third quarter, there were five Broncos on the ground in what seemed like a comical scene. Armstead, Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson were well downfield, picking up blocks.
There’s nothing more you need to know. Things are different now.
Run game mania
Turns out De’Von Achane would like us to pronounce his last name “Ay-chan.”
Done. No problems after 200+ yards and four touchdowns, Mr. Rookie, sir.
Small yet mighty, Achane is lightning quick, shifty and explosive.
Darren Sproles? Brian Westbrook? Warrick Dunn?
Sure, why not?
A few folks on social media chimed in with Chris Johnson or Jamaal Charles comparisons.
That could be the massive upside ceiling here.
We see all that good stuff in Achane, who should effectively end any discussion about Miami needing to add a veteran running back before the trading deadling.
Their running back room is loaded.
They are all set. Without having to spend big at the position.
Which is always going to be the preference.
Achane caused such a frenzy, it’s too easy, as usual, to overlook Raheem Mostert, who is the No. 1-ranked running back in the NFL by PFF.
Mostert had a dazzling catch and run for a touchdown as the end of the third quarter. Mostert has more burst and acceleration than he did last season. He has regained top form.
When that player can be overlooked, you realize just how loaded a roster the Dolphins have.
Jevon Holland one of NFL’s best safeties
Holland’s forced fumble with the Dolphins up 28-10 and less than two minutes to go before halftime really opened up the floodgates on this historic blowout.
Holland can cover. Holland can hit. Holland forces turnovers.
He’s a great athlete. He’s fast. He’s rangy. He’s tough.
He’s a team leader.
Holland is one of the best safeties in the NFL and it was very, very easy to predict he would explode onto the NFL scene in 2023 under the tutelage of defensive legend Vic Fangio.
This & That
Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou played 43 snaps at wide corner and 0 snaps at slot corner on Sunday, and was solid. This was a reversal from the first two weeks, when he was primarily a slot. When Jalen Ramsey returns, Miami might hope to play Kohou in the slot. But for now, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio sees Kohou as a better option on the outside than veteran Eli Apple. Justin Bethel played the slot and made a key third-down tackle in the red zone just before halftime… Braxton Berrios and Armstead had strong blocks on a touchdown run by Achane. Miami has willing blockers at receiver. They are all willing blockers… Xavien Howard is graded at the 93rd cornerback in the NFL by PFF at this time, and Miami’s 24th defensive player… The Dolphins are first in the NFL with 565 rushing yards, first at 6.1 yards per rush and fifth at 93 attempts. This is a much more balanced attack in 2023… Andrew Van Ginkel leads the Dolphins in pass-rush win rate this season… In their last 23 regular-season starts, only Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have more than Tua Tagovailoa’s 17 victories.
Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on social media platforms @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing.
