Day 204, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Jaguars Game 3 Review

Seeing the 'Fins pull off a no-stress win on Thursday Night Football while you're at the beach is kind of how I wish more football viewing could go down. The Dolphins moved to 1-2 with a shockingly dominant performance against a team that had surprised many in the first two weeks of the season.

Offense

• It's hard to remember a time when the Dolphins started out a game with two drives as impressive as they did in establishing a 14-0 lead here.
• Myles Gaskin was a workhorse, getting 11 touches combined on Miami's first two drives of the day. I question how long he can hold up to that kind of workload and hope the 'Fins spread the ball around a bit more, but he's emerged as a key cog in the offense.
• Most 'Fins fans have been calling for more Matt Breida, myself included. However, he is half-stepping on some of his runs, and I don't think that's gonna fly behind this work-in-progress offensive line. That may be why he's getting limited work.
• According to the announcers, DeVante Parker was intent on playing even hurt, and he made a number of key grabs and drew a pass interference in the end zone.
• After a shaky start to the season, it was good to see Preston Williams reel in a perfect pass for a score from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
• Jakeem Grant had a 29-yard end-around, a 19-yard diving catch, and 45 yards on kick returns. The more ways Miami can find to get him the ball in space, the better.
• Speaking of the gunslinger, this was peak FitzMagic. He was scrambling, whirling, side-arming, directing traffic, catching his own damn passes, and essentially serving notice that he wasn't going to be stopped in this one.
• Fitz has really gained trust in emerging tight end Mike Gesicki, hitting him with a beautiful look-off TD toss and coming his way several other times in this one.
• Miami's OL is showing signs of jelling, and a dude that stands out as a mauler is rookie Solomon Kindley. If he and Austin Jackson pan out as the early returns indicate, it could be a Richmond Webb-Keith Sims kind of draft for the Dolphins. Those two bring a mean streak that this offense has been begging for for years.

Defense

• Overall, the Dolphins seem to find something in this game defensively. Granted, it came against Jax, but the unit seemed to settle in here and play with a level of physically that has, frankly, been missing.
• This was a game when the free agents finally emerged: Shaq Lawson, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Kyle Van Noy all put their stamp on this contest.
• It was good to see Miami finally generate some pressure, and the 'Fins seemed to seize control of the game when they began blitzing Gardner Minshew consistently.
• After a brutal second game, Noah Igbinoghene made a couple of pivotal third-down stops against Jax. Everyone around the franchise would love to see the first-rounder build some confidence around this effort.
• Interior defender Zach Sieler has been earning more and more reps, and he has consistently flashed with more opportunities. At 6-6, 297 pounds, he could turn into an important piece in this D.
• While this was a better showing, Miami still needs help in the linebacking corps. My sense is they're still having to give excessive reps to guys who are best on special teams at this level.
• I know Eric Rowe is a favorite of the coaching staff, but it feels like he's been a liability in tackling and coverage thus far this year.
• While it was good to see Xavien Howard pull in his first pick in a while, he still seems to be tentative on the field at times. His body language and lack of hustle have stuck out to me on occasion.

Special Teams

• Punter Matt Haack mishit one of his four punts, but he put two inside the 20-yard line. He looks improved from last year.
• Kicker Jason Sanders made all four of his extra points and a 30-yard field goal, continuing his strong start. The best news here was Miami converted so many red zone opportunities into touchdowns that he wasn't much needed.
• Grant's 19-yard punt return was the highlight in the return game, but he did have another nifty return called back on a penalty.

Momentum Plays

• Grant's diving catch of a slightly errant Fitzy throw was a vital play on the opening TD drive.
• After a relatively easy TD counter by Jax to knot it at 7, Fitz had two straight runs -- including a fourth-down effort where he had to lower the shoulder for the first -- on Miami's ensuing touchdown drive.
• Breida drew a shaky pass interference on a circle route, setting up Fitzy's 11 straight completion, a beautiful strike to G-Sick to stake Miami to a 21-7 lead.
• Bobby McCain, Jamal Perry, and Van Noy all dropped potential interceptions, but Miami did force a turnover when Van Noy pulled the triple play of sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
• After Gesicki drew a pass interference in the end zone, Fitz again lowered the shoulder on a QB draw for the score that turned it into a runaway, 28-7.
• Minshew missed a wide-open receiver who would have cut it to 28-14, but pressure by Van Noy on the play forced the mustachioed one to airmail it 5 yards over the receiver's head. Iggy was burned badly on the play.
• The 'Fins got sacks on two of three plays to set up Sanders's field goal and the final points at 31-13.

2020 Schedule

New England 21, Miami 11

Buffalo 31, Miami 28

Miami 31, Jacksonville 13