Miami Dolphins’ defense becoming playmaking, game-changing crew
Beware of the Miami Dolphins’ defense.
These guys are good, and they’re trending toward becoming elite.
But look at the big picture, look at what this Dolphins defensive performance means in the grand scheme of things — the Dolphins have another way to win games.
Such versatility will be needed for Miami’s big three-game finish against Dallas (Dec. 24), at Baltimore (Dec. 31) and against Buffalo (Jan. 7), and in the playoffs.
The defense is ready to do its part.
We saw more evidence of that in Sunday’s 45-15 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel recognized a screen pass, beat his would-be blocker, jumped into the passing lane, picked off the pass and took it to the house, 33 yards, untouched, to give Miami a 17-0 first quarter lead.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel called it “conviction of preparation.”
He said guys prepare during the week, and when they recognize a specific look during a game they can pounce, they can act without thinking.
That’s what we saw from Miami’s defense on Sunday.
That’s what McDaniel saw from Van Ginkel.
“Phenomenal,” McDaniel said of Van Ginkel’s play. “It was awesome. It was knowing the situation.”
It was also the second consecutive week this defense had an interception return for a touchdown. Last week it was safety Jevon Holland with his 99-yard interception return just before halftime in that 34-13 Black Friday victory at the New York Jets.
The defensive playmaking ability is huge.
You know the Dolphins (9-3) can win with their passing game. They showed that again Sunday as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill hooked up for touchdowns of 78 and 60 yards.
Recently, the run game has shown its teeth. It totaled 123 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 34 carries on Sunday, the third time in the past four games the Dolphins have rushed for more than 100 yards. In the other game, Las Vegas, they rushed for 99 yards.
And now the defense, which has 20 sacks in its past six games, is joining the party.
Yes, the way it’s looking this Dolphins defense has the ability to win games, not just contribute to winning games.
That’s not only because this defense is led by a big-name coordinator (Vic Fangio) and big-name players such as All Pro cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard.
It’s because these defensive players put in the work that allows them to make such plays.
Go beyond the Sunday results, which is what most people see.
Look at the midweek preparations.
“Everyone is starting to do a little more,” Tagovailoa said of his teammates.
Media sees it. We see players working on the field after practice as we’re being led into the locker room. We often see Tagovailoa out there running sprints, we see the offensive line fine-tuning technique and going over assignments, we see the wide receivers and tight ends catching passes.
But we also see the pass rushers and defensive linemen, often Christian Wilkins, on the field after practice honing their skills.
That’s preparation, and recently we’ve seen the results.
Quietly, Miami’s defense started play Sunday ranked No. 7 overall at 305.2 yards allowed per game.
It was No. 6 against the run (92.8 yards allowed per game), and No. 11 against the pass (212.4 yards allowed per game).
But the thing they’re doing best recently is making plays, both big and small.
Van Ginkel got things started Sunday with his interception return touchdown. He also had a sack.
The defense, which entered the game tied for third in the league with 38 sacks, totaled three sacks.
Almost as importantly, Ramsey and Howard led the way in holding Washington wide receiver “Scary” Terry McLaurin to no receptions on just three targets. That’s significant. McLaurin is a baller.
OK, the Commanders rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. That’s a blemish, something to work on. Nobody said this defense has arrived.
But it didn’t have Holland (knees), who was inactive.
Last week the defense lost edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who had 6.5 sacks and might have been on his way to a double-digit sack total, to a season-ending Achilles injury.
This week it lost inside linebacker Jerome Baker, who sustained a knee injury Sunday when safety Brandon Jones, Holland’s replacement, rolled into him attempting to make a tackle.
“I pray that’s nothing serious,” Van Ginkel said.
McDaniel said the injury doesn’t appear to be season-ending.
By the way, the injuries aren’t an excuse. No one is looking to make excuses.
This defense doesn’t need excuses.
It’s producing results.
It has responded fairly well to injuries and missing personnel.
The future is bright for this defense.
“I think we can be as good as we want to,” Jones said. “Our defense is super flexible and it’s very multiple.”
That combination makes this Dolphins defense dangerous for opponents.
